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5 Traits and 3 Rules of Peak

Performance in the Moment December 2015

A number of ingredients are necessary for peak performance at the high-pressure moments.

Here are 5 traits of high performers; and 3 rules to help prevent performance anxiety.

I spend a lot of time thinking, reading, researching and coaching

around performance at work: both long-term and in the

moment. And from my work and the outstanding results of my

clients, I notice a few common threads.

For peak performance just when you need it, here are the 5

traits and 3 golden rules that I talk to my clients about: to get

them and their brains really performing.

1. FOCUS

(but not concentration)

Focus is about continually coming back to your desired outcome,

like a compass needle returning to North. It is not the forced

effort or struggle implied by concentration; but rather, the

natural flow towards your end game. Focus is the foundation of

any peak performance, marshalling all our other resources.

Focus comes from overwhelming preparation. Solid preparation

allows us to move into the "bubble" of performance by reducing

the enormity of the event and zeroing us in on delivery. When in

the bubble, no artificial devices, tricks or structures are required.

We just perform.

Lesson 1: Preparation is key.

2. DISCIPLINE

(but not inflexibility)

Discipline builds on focus and is about staying on message,

whilst getting the balance right between diligent application and

willingness to adapt. Discipline helps manage the emotions in a

peak performance moment and is a recipe for resilience.

Discipline applies not just to (external) actions but to (internal)

thinking: where we take ourselves down some only-tangentially

related rabbit hole. So don't overthink every step. Rather, keep

your mind on the outcome and allow for deviations en route to

your goal.

Lesson 2: Practice the big landmarks.

3. ADAPTABILITY

(but not "winging it")

The next trait of peak performance is the ability to adapt to

rapidly-changing situations, both anticipated and responsive. The

secret: stick to your goal; but feel free to move on from your pre-

planned strategy for achieving it.

You'll have heard the phrase: "no plan survives contact with the

enemy". To build a plan more likely to withstand rapidly-changing

situations: have a focal point; review allowances for practical

drift; and conduct a pre-mortem, challenging every aspect.

Lesson 3: Construct a solid, but flexible plan.

4. PRESENCE

(but not tunnel-vision)

Presence is about bringing a style that is open, flexible and

confident. To "dance" in the moment.

To be totally present in this moment requires trust in one's inner

knowing; and an openness to not-knowing and risk-taking. But is

also requires that we do not completely negate the past or the

future.

To develop your presence, practice this essential skill in all areas

of your life. Whenever you are with someone, whatever the

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+44 (0) 7976 751 095 dan@danbeverly.com http://danbeverly.com

setting, practice bringing yourself completely into the moment,

focusing fully on the other person.

Lesson 4: Develop presence as an innate skill.

5. COURAGE

(but not fearlessness)

The final trait is courage. Not the absence of fear, but the

acknowledgement of our fears, then coupled with the desire to

succeed. Together, this pair gives us clarity and keep us looking

for and solving the challenges along the way.

Nothing but fearlessness stops us looking for challenges and

improvement opportunities. Nothing but fear - that is, "running

scared" - has us looking only for problems and with no intention

of resolving them.

Accept fear as mind and body readying us for the challenge. And

resist the temptation to equate fear of the thing with being able

to do the thing.

Lesson 5: Feel the fear and do it anyway.

3 rules to keep from choking

To our list of performance traits, I'm going to add 3 rules to

ensure we don't choke in the peak performance moments.

1. Take Responsibility

We never know the finer details like we do when we take

responsibility. Own your performance.

2. Don't Overthink It

Overthinking is the opposite of presence. It's imagining the

post-performance glory rather than the task at hand. You've

done your prep. Time to perform - with presence.

3. Stay Humble

Overconfidence quickly leads to recklessness. When we stop

believing failure is an option, we start believing success

comes regardless of bad decisions. Stay humble and

challenge the difficult decisions.

Peak performance in the moment

What do you think of these lists? What crucial ingredients do you

see in top performers? Ingredients that you'd love to add to your

mix, in the moment.

Take a minute now to reflect on your own performance. And

carry those thoughts forward to your next peak performance

moment.

Dan Beverly is a leadership and performance coach helping high-calibre, high-

performing professional women embrace the pivotal career moments.

His mission is to inspire possibility in others: to help us excel in careers without

compromise; and to leave us feeling energised and uplifted by a new future.

Go online to book your complimentary “Session Zero” with Dan – and start

capitalising on your pivotal career moments today.

http://danbeverly.com/session-0