What is High Performance?

“High performers are not necessarily smarter, more talented, or luckier than everyone else. But they have developed habits and mindsets that allow them to consistently perform at a high level.” — Brendon Burchard

My passion is helping people realize their full potential and expand and explore what they are truly capable of.

As a high-performance coach at Microsoft for over two decades, I’ve experienced remarkable transformations and I deeply understand the power of unlocking untapped potential in individuals, teams, and leaders.

In this article, I will share some of my insights and strategies for achieving high performance and explore the key habits and characteristics of individuals who consistently perform at a high level.

I hope this article will inspire and motivate you to unlock your full potential and achieve your greatest goals, whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to take your career to the next level, or an aspiring leader seeking to build your skills and capabilities,

Unleash Your Greatest Potential with High Performance

When you prioritize high performance, you open the door to unlocking your greatest potential and achieving extraordinary results in all areas of your life.

By embracing the principles of high performance, you gain a powerful set of tools and strategies that empower you to overcome challenges, tap into your hidden talents, and reach new levels of growth and greatness.

High performance is about more than just achieving short-term goals; it’s a mindset and a way of life.

It involves cultivating self-awareness, optimizing your energy and focus, and continuously growing and improving.

When you commit to high performance, you gain the ability to lead a more sustainable life, where you can effectively manage stress, adapt to change, and navigate significant challenges with resilience.

By embracing high performance, you can align your actions with your aspirations, unleash your full potential, and create a life of purpose, fulfillment, and meaningful achievement.

It’s a transformative journey that empowers you to become the best version of yourself and experience the tremendous benefits of living a high-performance lifestyle.

What is High Performance?

High performance is about achieving exceptional results through sustained effort, focus, and commitment, while also maintaining a sense of balance and well-being.

Here’s a simple way to define high performance:

High performance is achieving exceptional levels of productivity, effectiveness, and success in a particular field or area of life while maintaining overall well-being and positive relationships.

It involves consistently performing at a level that exceeds the average or expected performance standards. High performance can apply to a range of areas, including sports, business, academics, and personal development.

High performance typically involves a combination of factors, including specialized knowledge, skill, and expertise, as well as consistent practice, discipline, and commitment.

Individuals who achieve high performance often have a strong sense of purpose and motivation and are able to focus their energy and efforts towards achieving their goals.

High performance can also involve a focus on overall well-being, including physical health, emotional resilience, and mental clarity.

This may include practices such as regular exercise, healthy eating habits, stress management, and self-care.

A Day in the Life of High Performance

Imagine if you could step into a day filled with high performance—a day where you navigate challenges with resilience, seize opportunities with clarity, and make meaningful progress towards your goals.

Let’s explore “A Day in the Life of High Performance” to see how it unfolds.

Morning:

You wake up energized and motivated, ready to tackle the day ahead. You engage in a morning routine that includes mindfulness practices, setting intentions, and visualizing your desired outcomes.

This helps you cultivate a positive mindset and set the tone for the day.

Work:

As you dive into your work, you encounter unexpected setbacks and obstacles. Instead of being discouraged, you approach them with a solution-oriented mindset.

Drawing upon your resilience and problem-solving skills, you adapt your strategies, seek support when needed, and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth.

Productivity:

Throughout the day, you manage your energy effectively by taking regular breaks, practicing stress-reducing techniques, and prioritizing your tasks.

You maintain a laser-like focus on your most important goals, utilizing time management strategies to optimize your productivity and achieve maximum results.

Interactions:

In your interactions with colleagues, clients, and team members, you demonstrate active listening, empathy, and effective communication.

You build strong relationships based on trust and collaboration, fostering a positive and supportive work environment.

Setbacks:

Even in the face of setbacks or criticism, you respond rather than react.

You maintain emotional balance and approach challenges with a growth mindset. You learn from mistakes, seek feedback to improve, and remain resilient in the pursuit of your goals.

Reflection and Growth:

At the end of the day, you take time to reflect on your accomplishments and areas for improvement. You celebrate your wins, express gratitude for the opportunities presented, and identify lessons learned from the setbacks.

This reflection informs your personal growth journey and shapes your actions for the future.

Throughout “A Day in the Life of High Performance,” you embody the principles of intentional living, resilience, focus, and continuous growth.

By responding thoughtfully to setbacks, embracing challenges as opportunities, and maximizing your productivity and relationships, you create a day filled with greatness and meaningful progress towards your aspirations.

Remember, high performance is not about achieving perfection every day, but rather about consistently showing up with dedication, purpose, and a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself.

Embrace the journey of high performance and witness the transformative impact it can have on your life.

What is High Performance According to High Performance Coaches

Here are a few additional perspectives to help better explore the answer to what is high performance:

Brendon Burchard

“High performance is the ongoing pursuit of becoming your best self and consistently delivering your best performance in all areas of life. It’s about mastering your mindset, developing exceptional skills, and cultivating daily habits that lead to extraordinary outcomes.”

Brendon Burchard defines high performance as:

“Succeeding beyond standard norms, consistently over the long-term, while maintaining positive well-being and relationships.”

Brian Tracy

“High performance is the art of consistently operating at your peak level of effectiveness and efficiency. It’s about setting clear goals, managing your time and priorities effectively, and constantly seeking ways to improve and achieve optimal results in all areas of your life.”

Jim Loehr

Jim Loehr views high performance as the ability to manage and mobilize energy effectively to achieve desired outcomes. It involves balancing stress and recovery, maintaining focus and engagement, and cultivating positive habits that support sustainable performance over time.

Marshal Goldsmith

“Marshall Goldsmith sees high performance as a result of effective leadership, behavior change, and continuous improvement. It involves aligning actions with values, fostering strong relationships, and making a positive impact on others and the organization.”

Mel Robbins

“High performance is about stepping into your full potential and taking intentional action to create the life you desire. It’s about overcoming self-doubt, cultivating resilience, and developing the habits and mindset necessary to achieve extraordinary levels of success.”

Michael Gervais

“According to Michael Gervais, high performance is rooted in a strong mindset and the ability to be fully present in the moment.

It requires mental agility, emotional resilience, and a deep understanding of one’s purpose and values.”

Robin Sharma

“High performance is the relentless pursuit of excellence, characterized by unwavering discipline, focus, and commitment to continuous improvement. It’s about pushing beyond your comfort zone, embracing discomfort, and consistently raising the bar to achieve exceptional results.”

Tony Robbins

“High performance is the ability to consistently achieve extraordinary results by tapping into your full potential. It’s about maximizing your energy, focus, and productivity to accomplish your goals and make a meaningful impact in your life and the lives of others.”

High Performance is Multidimensional

These perspectives highlight the multidimensional nature of high performance, emphasizing elements such as mindset, energy management, purpose, values, and continuous growth:

Mindset:

High performance coaches emphasize the importance of cultivating a growth mindset, which involves having a positive and resilient attitude towards challenges and setbacks.

They help individuals develop mental resilience, overcome limiting beliefs, and adopt empowering thought patterns that support success.

Example: A high performance coach may work with a client to shift their mindset from a fixed belief that they are limited in their abilities to a growth mindset that embraces continuous learning and improvement. This shift in mindset allows the individual to approach challenges with a sense of possibility and adaptability.

Energy Management:

High performance is not just about working harder, but also about managing and optimizing one’s energy levels. Coaches help individuals understand the importance of physical, mental, and emotional energy and provide strategies to maintain and replenish energy for sustained performance.

Example: A high performance coach may guide a client to develop a personalized energy management routine that includes practices like regular exercise, quality sleep, mindfulness, and stress reduction techniques. By optimizing their energy levels, individuals can enhance their focus, productivity, and overall well-being.

Purpose and Values:

High performance is deeply connected to having a sense of purpose and aligning one’s actions with core values. Coaches help individuals clarify their purpose and values, enabling them to set meaningful goals and make decisions that are in alignment with their authentic selves.

Example: A high performance coach may facilitate exercises and discussions to help clients identify their core values and define their personal mission statement. This clarity provides a guiding compass for decision-making and fuels motivation and commitment towards high performance.

Continuous Growth:

High performance coaches emphasize the importance of ongoing learning, development, and self-improvement. They encourage individuals to embrace a growth mindset and pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth to continually enhance their performance.

Example: A high performance coach may support clients in setting specific growth goals, identifying areas for improvement, and developing action plans to acquire new skills or knowledge. They may also provide resources, feedback, and accountability to ensure consistent growth and progress.

These dimensions of high-performance work together synergistically, creating a holistic approach that supports individuals in unlocking their full potential and achieving sustainable success.

Each coach brings their unique insights, strategies, and techniques to address these dimensions and help individuals thrive in their pursuit of high performance.

Why is High Performance Important?

High performance is important because it can lead to greater success, personal growth, and well-being, while also providing a competitive advantage in a variety of settings.

High performance is important for several reasons, including:

1. Achieving goals: High performance can help individuals and organizations achieve their goals and objectives more effectively and efficiently. By consistently performing at a high level, individuals and organizations can achieve greater success and accomplish more in their chosen field or area of focus.
2. Competitive advantage: High performance can also provide a competitive advantage, allowing individuals or organizations to outperform their peers and stand out in a crowded marketplace. This can lead to increased opportunities, recognition, and success.
3. Personal growth and development: Pursuing high performance can also be a powerful tool for personal growth and development. By continuously striving to improve and achieve more, individuals can develop new skills, expand their knowledge and expertise, and reach their full potential.
4. Well-being: While high performance often involves a focus on achieving specific goals, it can also be an important tool for maintaining overall well-being. By prioritizing practices such as self-care, stress management, and healthy habits, individuals can maintain their physical and emotional health while pursuing their goals.

What are Common Characteristics and Traits of High Performers?

Here are some common characteristics and traits of high performers:

1. Focus: High performers tend to be highly focused and disciplined, with a clear sense of purpose and direction.
2. Resilience: They are able to bounce back from setbacks and failures quickly, and maintain a positive outlook even in challenging situations.
3. Adaptability: High performers are adaptable and flexible, able to adjust to changing circumstances and navigate complex challenges.
4. Continuous learning: They have a growth mindset and are committed to ongoing learning and development, both personally and professionally.
5. Goal-oriented: High performers tend to be highly goal-oriented, with a clear understanding of their objectives and a plan for achieving them.
6. Initiative: They take initiative and are proactive in identifying opportunities and solving problems.
7. Accountability: High performers take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and are accountable to themselves and others for their performance.
8. Collaborative: They are able to work well with others and are skilled at building strong relationships and networks.
9. Drive: High performers have a strong drive and motivation to succeed, and are often highly ambitious in pursuing their goals.
10. Results-focused: They prioritize results and outcomes over process or activity, and are able to stay focused on what really matters in achieving their objectives.

These are just a few common characteristics of high performers, and it’s important to keep in mind that every individual is unique and may exhibit different strengths and traits.

High Performance Habits

These habits are often referred to as the “HP6” and were first identified by high performance coach Brendon Burchard.

By developing these habits and consistently practicing them, individuals can achieve higher levels of productivity, effectiveness, and success in their personal and professional lives.

Here are some key habits of high performers:

1. Clarity: High performers have a clear sense of their goals, values, and priorities, and are able to focus their time and energy on what really matters.
2. Energy: They take care of their physical and mental well-being, making time for exercise, healthy eating, and stress management.
3. Necessity: They have a sense of urgency and purpose, and feel a strong drive to succeed and make a difference.
4. Productivity: They are highly productive and effective in their work, able to manage their time and tasks efficiently and effectively.
5. Influence: High performers are able to inspire and influence others, and are skilled at building relationships and networks.
6. Courage: High performers are willing to take risks and push beyond their comfort zones, even when it’s difficult or scary.

10 High Performance Habits for Growth and Greatness

These 10 additional habits of high performance can help individuals achieve greater success, fulfillment, and well-being in their personal and professional lives.

Here are 10 more habits of high performance:

1. Discipline: High performers are disciplined and able to consistently follow through on their commitments and goals.
2. Focus on strengths: They focus on leveraging their strengths and abilities, rather than getting bogged down by their weaknesses.
3. Self-awareness: High performers have a strong sense of self-awareness, understanding their own strengths, weaknesses, and limitations.
4. Continuous improvement: They are always looking for ways to improve and grow, seeking feedback and new learning opportunities.
5. Positive mindset: High performers maintain a positive mindset, even in the face of adversity or challenges.
6. Persistence: They are persistent and don’t give up easily, continuing to work towards their goals even when progress is slow.
7. Creativity: High performers are creative and innovative, able to generate new ideas and approaches to problem-solving.
8. Emotional intelligence: They have strong emotional intelligence and are able to understand and manage their own emotions, as well as effectively communicate and connect with others.
9. Accountability: High performers hold themselves accountable for their actions and outcomes, and are willing to take ownership of mistakes and failures.
10. Purpose-driven: They have a strong sense of purpose and meaning in their work and life, and are motivated by a desire to make a positive impact on the world.

What are the Most Effective High-Performance Strategies You Can Practice to Become a High Performer?

There are several high-performance strategies that you can practice to become a high performer.

By practicing these strategies, you can develop the mindset, skills, and habits necessary to become high performers and achieve greater success, fulfillment, and well-being in your personal and professional life.

Here are some of the most insightful ones:

1. Set clear and specific goals: High performers set clear, specific, and challenging goals that are aligned with their values and priorities. They break down these goals into manageable steps and regularly track their progress.
2. Practice deliberate practice: High performers engage in deliberate practice, which involves focused, intentional, and systematic efforts to improve specific skills or areas of expertise.
3. Build a strong support network: High performers surround themselves with positive, supportive, and growth-oriented people who can provide guidance, feedback, and accountability.
4. Prioritize self-care: High performers prioritize self-care, including getting enough sleep, exercise, and healthy food, and practicing stress-reducing activities such as meditation or mindfulness.
5. Manage your time effectively: High performers manage their time effectively, setting boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and avoiding distractions to maximize their productivity.
6. Learn from failures: They view failures as opportunities for growth and learning, and use them as a springboard for further development and improvement.
7. Continuously learn and grow: High performers are lifelong learners, constantly seeking out new information, skills, and experiences to expand their knowledge and expertise.
8. Take risks and embrace uncertainty: They are willing to take risks and embrace uncertainty, knowing that this is often necessary to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

5 Additional Practices for Becoming a High Performer

By incorporating these ideas into your daily life and practices, you can develop the habits and mindset necessary for high performance and achieve your greatest potential.

Here are five additional ideas for becoming a high performer:

1. Develop a growth mindset: High performers believe that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication, and they embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
2. Seek out feedback: They actively seek out feedback from others and use it to improve their performance and achieve their goals.
3. Practice gratitude: High performers practice gratitude, recognizing and appreciating the good things in their lives, which can help increase their overall sense of well-being and motivation.
4. Cultivate resilience: They cultivate resilience, the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges, and maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
5. Build strong relationships: High performers build strong relationships with others, recognizing the importance of collaboration, teamwork, and support from others in achieving their goals.

Unblocking Your Potential: The Power of High Performance

Achieving exceptional levels of productivity, effectiveness, and success in a specific field or area of life while maintaining overall well-being and positive relationships—that’s the essence of high performance.

It requires a combination of specialized knowledge, skills, and expertise, along with unwavering practice, discipline, and commitment.

Those who reach high performance embody a deep sense of purpose and motivation, channeling their energy and efforts toward their goals.

They cultivate essential habits such as clarity, energy, courage, productivity, influence, and necessity, while integrating other key habits like discipline, strengths focus, self-awareness, continuous improvement, positive mindset, creativity, emotional intelligence, accountability, and a purpose-driven mindset.

But high performance is not limited to short-term achievements; it’s about consistently maintaining excellence over the long haul, all while preserving a sense of well-being and fostering positive relationships.

It’s a holistic approach to success, where individuals optimize their potential in both personal and professional realms.

By embracing the principles of high performance and nurturing these habits, individuals can unlock new levels of achievement and success, leaving a lasting impact on their lives and the lives of those around them.

So, step into the world of high performance, and discover the incredible potential that lies within you.

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