Have you ever sat back and wondered, Is this all there is to life? That haunting little question that sneaks in during moments of stillness or when we’re knee-deep in the chaos of juggling a demanding career, family responsibilities, and that ever-expanding to-do list. We work hard, follow the path laid out for us—yet, something still feels amiss.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. It’s not just about success anymore. It’s about how alive we feel, how engaged we are, and whether or not we’re genuinely fulfilled. That’s where the concept of high performance comes in—a way of living that pushes us beyond the standard norms of success, without burning out or sacrificing our well-being. But how do we do that?
What is High Performance Living?
High performance is about more than just getting results. It’s about showing up in your life fully, consistently, and joyfully over the long haul. It’s about balancing excellence in work and life while keeping our mental, emotional, and physical well-being intact. Contrary to the high-octane “hustle and grind” mentality you often see celebrated, true high performance is about sustainable success. It’s a shift that allows you to thrive, not just survive.
I was in the same place many of you might find yourselves—successful on paper, but drained. My journey into high performance wasn’t born out of a need to achieve more; it was born out of a desire to feel more. To feel more alive, more connected, more me. As women, especially those of us in male-dominated industries, there’s often an unspoken expectation to power through everything. But there’s a way to succeed without feeling overwhelmed—and that’s the beauty of high performance living.
The Key Ingredients: The High Performance Habits
So, how do we consistently feel engaged and joyful while staying productive? It starts with the six core habits of high performers. These habits were uncovered through research by the High Performance Institute, led by Brendon Burchard, and they form the foundation for lasting change:
- Seek Clarity: Knowing what you want, and why it matters.
- Generate Energy: Cultivating both mental and physical energy to fuel your day.
- Raise Necessity: Elevating your reason for action so that it becomes a must, not a should.
- Increase Productivity: Focusing on the most important tasks that move the needle.
- Develop Influence: Building relationships and gaining support for your vision.
- Demonstrate Courage: Facing challenges head-on and pushing through discomfort.
Let’s break these down and explore how they can transform your life from feeling stuck to sparked.
Finding Clarity: Your Personal North Star
Many of us are running on autopilot. We’re doing all the things we’ve been told to do—working hard, climbing the ladder—but we don’t pause long enough to ask ourselves, Is this really what I want?
Clarity is all about defining success on your terms, not someone else’s. It’s about sitting down with yourself and asking some tough questions: What makes me come alive? What do I really want from my life and career?
For me, clarity came after years of feeling lost, even though on the outside, I had it all together. A pivotal moment happened when I found myself contemplating how much of my life was based on others’ expectations. I was successful but not fulfilled. It wasn’t until I began to prioritise what I truly wanted—both professionally and personally—that things started to shift.
So, sit down with yourself. Write it out. What does success look like to you? What is the vision for your life that aligns with who you truly are? Once you get clear on that, everything else starts to fall into place.
Generating Energy: Your Power Source
We’ve all had those days where just getting out of bed feels like a Herculean effort. Yet, high performers know that consistent energy is critical for achieving any goal. But we’re not talking about chugging coffee and grinding through your day (although, I’m guilty of a caffeine boost or two). Instead, think of energy as something you cultivate, not something you wait to happen.
It starts with taking care of your body—exercise, hydration, sleep. Simple stuff, right? Yet, how often do we sacrifice these basics in the name of getting more done?
I learned the hard way that when you don’t make your energy a priority, everything suffers—your work, your relationships, and most importantly, your joy. High performers invest in their health because they know that without energy, nothing else works.
Necessity: Why You Must Succeed
This is a big one. How many of us set goals, but treat them like they’re negotiable? “I’ll get to it when I can,” or “It would be nice if…” This mindset will get you nowhere fast. High performers attach deep emotional reasons to their goals. They don’t just want to succeed; they feel like they must succeed.
In my coaching work, I often ask clients to dig deep into their “why.” Why do you want this promotion? Why do you want to change careers? It has to be bigger than just a pay raise or a title. It has to connect to something that truly matters to you—whether that’s your family, your legacy, or your sense of purpose.
When you can tap into that deep reason, you elevate your actions from a place of “should” to “must.”
The Power of Productivity: Working Smarter, Not Harder
Now, this one might feel like a no-brainer—be productive, and you’ll get more done. But high performers understand that it’s not about doing everything; it’s about doing the right things. You can be busy all day long and still feel like you’ve accomplished nothing. Sound familiar?
High performance living is about prioritising the tasks that move the needle—those few key things that will actually drive results. This means saying “no” a lot more often and focusing on what truly matters. In fact, one of the biggest game-changers for me was learning to say no. When you stop trying to please everyone and focus on what’s really important, you not only get more done, but you also free up mental space for creativity and joy.
Building Influence: Relationships Matter
No one succeeds alone. Influence is all about cultivating relationships that support and inspire you. Whether it’s your team, your family, or your mentors, high performers know that building strong connections is key to success.
But here’s the catch—it’s not just about what others can do for you. It’s about how you show up for them. Are you consistently adding value to the people around you? Are you listening, helping, and empowering others to succeed as well?
For me, influence has been a two-way street. The more I showed up for others, the more support I received in return. It’s the kind of reciprocal energy that not only helps you reach your goals but also makes the journey a lot more enjoyable.
Courage: Stepping into the Uncomfortable
Let’s be honest—most of us avoid discomfort like the plague. Yet, if you’re going to live a life of high performance, you’re going to need a hefty dose of courage. Whether it’s asking for that promotion, starting a new business, or simply speaking up in a meeting—courage is what propels us forward.
The funny thing about courage is that it doesn’t always feel brave in the moment. Often, it feels terrifying. But here’s what I’ve learned: the more you push through that discomfort, the easier it gets. And every time you act with courage, you build confidence for the next challenge.
In my own journey, courage wasn’t something that came naturally. It was something I had to develop through practice, and even now, I’m still learning. But what I’ve realised is that the life I want—the one filled with purpose, joy, and fulfilment—is always on the other side of my comfort zone.
Igniting Your SPARK
So, where does this leave us? High performance isn’t just about doing more, achieving more, or even being more. It’s about igniting that spark inside you—the one that’s been buried under years of “shoulds” and “ought-tos”—and letting it light the way forward. It’s about living in a way that’s aligned with who you are, not who the world expects you to be.
I’ll leave you with this thought: you deserve a life filled with joy, confidence, and purpose. But it won’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality, clarity, and a willingness to face discomfort. It takes energy, influence, and a deep connection to your “why.”
And remember, you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. High performance is a journey, and it’s one that can be nurtured, cultivated, and shared. So take that first step, spark that fire, and let’s see where it takes you. You just might be surprised by what’s possible.
Are you ready to Ignite Your SPARK?
If this has been useful for you I’d love you to share it with your friends or anyone else you think may find it useful.
Your Coach
Stephanie
Ready to Ignite Your SPARK?
As a Certified High Performance Coach, I’m here to support you on this transformative journey. Whether it’s in your career, health, or relationships, my coaching programs are designed to help you achieve heightened and sustained levels of performance and potential. Are you ready to embrace these inner shifts then let’s embark on this journey together!
Whenever you’re ready, here are a few ways I can support you:
Join our IYS Community – to connect with like-minded individuals focused on increasing their ENGAGEMENT, CONFIDENCE & JOY in work (and life)
Access your FREE Online Training – and learn how you can immediately hit higher levels of performance and potential in all you do!
Take the High Performance Questionnaire – to understand if you’re ready to go to the next level and live a life full of engagement, joy and confidence…
Book a Chat – so we can breakthrough what you’re currently challenged with and take the next action towards living the life of your dreams!
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