High Performance Habits

1. High Performance is Achievable Through Deliberate Habits

High performance isn't about a specific type of person but rather by a specific set of practices, which I call high performance habits.

Define high performance. High performance refers to succeeding beyond standard norms consistently over the long term. It's not about innate talent or personality, but rather about developing and maintaining specific habits. These habits, collectively known as the HP6, include:

1. Seeking clarity
2. Generating energy
3. Raising necessity
4. Increasing productivity
5. Developing influence
6. Demonstrating courage

Develop deliberate habits. Unlike unconscious habits that become automatic, high performance habits require conscious effort and continual revisiting. They must be willfully chosen and strengthened to shape your character and increase your odds of success. This deliberate approach ensures you remain in control of your actions and can adapt to changing environments.

2. Seek Clarity in Your Life's Direction and Purpose

Clarity is the child of careful thought and mindful experimentation.

Envision your future. High performers consistently think about who they want to become, how they want to interact with others, what skills they need to develop, and how they can make a difference. This "Future Four" framework helps maintain focus and motivation.

Define meaningful goals. Clarity isn't just about knowing what you want, but understanding what will bring you a sense of fulfillment. High performers often equate meaning with:

• Enthusiasm
• Connection
• Personal satisfaction
• Coherence (feeling that life "makes sense")

Determine desired feelings. Regularly ask yourself what primary feeling you want to bring to and get from each situation. This practice of "willful feeling" allows you to shape your emotional experiences rather than being at the mercy of circumstances.

3. Generate Energy to Sustain Focus and Well-being

If you want to feel more energized, creative, and effective at work—and still leave work with enough oomph for the "life" part—the ideal breakpoint is to stop your work and give your mind and body a break every forty-five to sixty minutes.

Practice energy management. High performers maintain mental, physical, and emotional vibrancy through deliberate practices:

1. Release tension, set intention: Use transitions between activities to renew energy by releasing tension and setting clear intentions.
2. Bring the joy: Cultivate positive emotions and anticipate positive outcomes.
3. Optimize health: Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise to support overall well-being and performance.

Take strategic breaks. Implement the 45-60 minute rule: Work intensely for this period, then take a short break to recharge. This practice enhances focus, creativity, and overall productivity.

4. Raise Necessity to Drive Exceptional Performance

We will do more for others than for ourselves. And in doing something for others, we find our reason for courage, and our cause for focus and excellence.

Identify your motivators. High performers tap into both internal and external forces to create a sense of necessity:

• Internal: Personal standards and obsession with a topic
• External: Social duty/obligation and real deadlines

Connect to a greater purpose. Find someone or something to fight for beyond yourself. This could be family, team members, a cause, or a vision for the future. This connection amplifies your drive and resilience.

Affirm your why. Regularly verbalize and share your reasons for pursuing excellence. This practice reinforces your commitment and creates social accountability.

5. Increase Productivity by Focusing on What Matters Most

Real work isn't replying to everyone's false emergencies, shuffling papers, deleting junk e-mails, posturing to look good, or attending meetings. Real work is producing quality output that matters.

Identify key outputs. Determine the outputs that truly matter in your field or industry. Focus on creating prolific quality output (PQO) in these areas while minimizing distractions.

Chart your five moves. For any major goal, identify the five most crucial actions or projects that will lead to success. Break these down into specific tasks and deadlines, then allocate most of your time to these priorities.

Develop key skills. Continuously improve the skills most critical to your future success through progressive mastery:

1. Set specific stretch goals
2. Get expert instruction
3. Practice with intense focus
4. Measure your progress
5. Set higher-level goals as you improve

6. Develop Influence to Amplify Your Impact

Deep down, away from all the noise, where love blankets your heart and your dreams lie in wait, you are not afraid.

Shape others' thinking. Consistently communicate how you want people to think about themselves, others, and the world at large. Use phrases like "Think of it this way..." or "What would happen if we tried..."

Challenge growth. Encourage others to develop their character, improve their relationships, and make greater contributions. Ask questions that prompt self-reflection and growth.

Be a role model. Embody the values and behaviors you wish to see in others. High performers think daily about how they can set a positive example for their family, team, and community.

7. Demonstrate Courage to Break Through Barriers

The kinds of courageous acts that you are proud of at the end of your life are those in which you faced uncertainty and real risk, with real stakes, when doing something for a cause or person beyond yourself, without any assurance of safety, reward, or success.

Honor the struggle. View challenges and hardships as necessary parts of growth and achievement. Develop reverence for the difficult path, recognizing its role in forging your character and capabilities.

Share your truth. Openly express your thoughts, feelings, and ambitions. Resist the urge to play small or hide your true self to placate others.

Find a noble cause. Identify someone or something worth fighting for beyond yourself. This connection to a greater purpose fuels courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.

8. Avoid the Traps of Superiority, Dissatisfaction, and Neglect

Superiority, dissatisfaction, and neglect are your enemies. Let them invade your life, and you lose. Be vigilant, avoid them, and practice your HP6, and all will be well.

Guard against superiority. Avoid thinking you're separate from or better than others. Maintain humility by seeking feedback, hiring coaches or mentors, and practicing gratitude.

Cultivate satisfaction. Balance striving for excellence with appreciating current achievements. Implement practices like journaling about daily wins and celebrating team successes.

Prevent neglect. Regularly assess all areas of your life to ensure you're not overcommitting in one area at the expense of others. Learn to say no strategically and maintain focus on your key priorities.

9. Cultivate Confidence as the Cornerstone of High Performance

Confidence is not a fixed personality trait. It's a muscle you build through exertion.

Develop competence. Build confidence through continuous learning and skill development. Trust in your ability to figure things out, even in new situations.

Live congruently. Align your actions with your values and desired identity. This internal consistency breeds self-trust and authentic confidence.

Connect with others. Approach relationships with genuine curiosity and a desire to learn. This mindset fosters confidence in social interactions and expands your influence.

Practice self-reflection. Regularly review your progress and lessons learned. Integrate past successes into your self-image to build a foundation of confidence for future challenges.

Last updated: August 7, 2024