This Week’s Five Keys to Peak Performance
Competition. Authenticy. Acceptance. Stress. Rest.
Every week, I reflect on five words that are integral to achieving and sustaining peak performance. These reflections are born out of my reading, research, writing, and coaching. Here’s this week’s list.
COMPETITION
Involves others but at the end of the day it’s always about yourself. At its best, a fair playing field lifts everyone up; you compete together to get the most out of yourself. Over time your objective barometer of success may change. But you can always give your all.
AUTHENTICITY
Is critical to lasting performance. If you don’t create space to get to know yourself, and if you don’t live in alignment with that self, you’re almost certain to flame out. Playing a role you aren’t leads to massive physical and psychic costs. Being who you are is freeing.
ACCEPTANCE
Is about being honest — and okay — with yourself. Acceptance does not mean doing nothing but starting where you are. Not where you think you should be. Not where you want to be. Where you are. Because if you don’t start where you are, you’ll never really get anywhere.
STRESS
In a scientific sense, is stimulus for growth. Without stress living organisms don’t adapt, don’t change. So you need stress. But stress is only beneficial in the right dose; when you have the capacity, resources, and support to absorb it; and when it’s followed by REST.
REST
Is the space during which growth occurs. Without it, we stand no chance at absorbing and growing from challenges we face. Stress + REST = growth. If you want to develop your body, mind, or soul you must understand that rest — that simply “being” — is just as important as doing.
