I recently had the good fortune to spend time in Canada with my family for our very first White Christmas. It was also my kids first time to experience snow and go skiing (well snowboarding in their case!)
During our last week there when we visited the ski fields we were blessed with great weather (-25 degrees Celsius and sunshine) and no crowds. My husband and three children decided they were going to have snowboarding lessons so left me with time to myself on the slopes 🙂
What a way to experience skiing again after 10 years, the last time my husband and I had been skiing was before we had our son, and never in the northern hemisphere. So to say I felt a little trepiditious is probably an understatement.
However, as I stood poised at the top of the ski run, there was no one else in sight. The path was clear and I felt a kind of calm at the blank slate before me as I could clearly choose my direction.
But then the adrenaline started pulsing through me and with nervous energy I pushed off knowing I wouldn’t be able to anticipate every potential bump that may see me on my rear end!
Oh what a feeling! At the end of the run I was exhilarated, having made it down successfully remaining upright. I was glad I had chosen the right equipment for the environment, skis that suited the terrain and complemented my ability, and that muscle memory had taken over!
But what has this got to do with high performance? From my perspective, I’m always trying to get the best out of myself (and others 🙂 ) so anything I set out to accomplish has a better chance if I tackle it with a high performance mindset*.
A mindset of clarity (I knew the direction I would go down the mountain), energy (I had enough adrenaline to power a substation), courage (I took the plunge even though I hadn’t skiied in 10 years), productivity (I had the right tools and skills) and influence (I had the support of my family to go off without them!)
And as a result, the outcome was positive. Just like when you apply a high performance mindset to the project you’re working on, the next major milestone you’re aiming for or setting new years’ resolutions; the chances of success are greater.
* High Performance is the result of heightened and sustained levels of: clarity, energy, courage, productivity and influence. www.highperformanceinstitute.com
Are you ready to perform at your best and/or better than you have in the past? Will you undertake your next project, reach your next major milestone, or tackle this year with a high performance mindset? Take the High Performance Quiz to find out more.
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