by Bobby Kipper
Sometimes we have the very best intentions to perform, but we just can’t seem to break out of that slump called “ordinary life.”
While many books and articles have been written about what causes us to hesitate to move forward, based on our years of research regarding performance, there are specific forces that can get in the way of connecting your desire with your will to act, and thus prevent you from reaching your dreams.
Some of these you already know about, and some you don’t. But if we were participating in a sporting event, we would try to find out what would keep us from winning, right? Obviously, the first obstacle would be our “opponent.”
The same is true for Performance-Driven Thinking.
What is opposing your performance in both your personal and professional life?
What is keeping you from connecting your desire to perform with your will to perform?
Just as teams prepare for what they are going to face on the playing field, the following three steps will help you do the same on the “playing field of life.”
1. Identify Your Opponent
Identifying your opponent is the first step to defeating that opponent. Have you ever talked to a friend or family member who, when something doesn’t go the way they expect, responds, “I don’t know what’s wrong. I just know I can’t do it.”
This state of confusion is like operating in life with zero gravity. They are just floating along, unable to move forward on their own terms. Identifying what opposes you is tied directly to the will to perform.
We all recognize that in life and in business we will face opposition. So what are your opponents?
Here is a list of common attitudes and actions that tend to throw us off our game.
· Lack of desire: not defining what we want
· Lack of will: not being willing to act on our desires
· Fear of failure: the belief we won’t achieve what we want
· Past history: issues from our past we are still dealing with
· Lack of knowledge, skills, and abilities
· Lack of time or time-management skills
· Lack of resources
As you move forward today, take time to identify what stands in your way.
2. Prepare for Your Opponent
Now that you have identified what is stopping you, let’s prepare to deal with it.
Dig down deep to find the feeling inside that is shouting, “I know I can do this!”
Years ago I worked on a White House initiative for former First Lady Laura Bush, entitled “Helping America’s Youth.” I can remember the phone call asking me to be a keynote presenter at the conference that was to take place at Howard University in Washington, DC.
We had to be a part of a rigid dress rehearsal the night before, as each of us had to practice word for word what we would say. I can recall thinking that this would be the biggest speech of my life, and the dress rehearsal went a long way in preparing me to face and deal with my fears. Due to this practice and preparation, I was able to deliver the speech without issue.
Any worthy performance in life is worth preparing for. Just like a team practices to face its next opponent, so should you. Take the necessary time required to overcome your obstacles to performance. Walk yourself through the situation mentally to help you develop the confidence you need.
Beating the odds takes more than desire. It takes action—in the form of preparation.
3. Expect to Win
Years ago, my daughter Jolie was playing varsity volleyball for the school she was attending. I did not know much about the rules of volleyball, but I knew it was frustrating watching players just standing around as the ball landed in front of them. After watching this lack of performance long enough, I asked Jolie about some players and their lack of effort. She told me that most of her teammates were expressing the feeling of defeat before they even took the court, reminding themselves of how in previous years they had been beat by the team they were about to face.
Many people wake up in the morning believing that their efforts will not be good enough.
They hold back because they just think they won’t come out ahead. Many will say, “It doesn’t matter how hard I try; I won’t make it.” Personal doubt puts us on the path to giving
up or giving in. Your top performance can’t happen without a firm expectation that you are going to win, and win big!
No one ever said that every performance in life would be easy. What we do know is the steps above will certainly lighten your load and mark the pathway toward your goal to perform.
Several years ago I started a national nonprofit to prevent violence in America. I quickly learned that I had to overcome my fear of asking for financial support. I had several mental opponents that were blocking my road to success in the area of fundraising.
First, I was raised without a lot of financial means. My family was materially poor but emotionally wealthy. Second, in my first career in law enforcement, we were conditioned not to ask for anything. Our role was to serve and protect. Lastly, I had a fear of rejection.
I was shy about putting my hand out for donations because I was afraid it would come back empty. I knew in order for my nonprofit to make it, I had to perform in this area that made me feel uncomfortable.
Fortunately, David, as my business coach, convinced me that if I don’t ask, I won’t get. Corporate fundraising coach Roberto Candelaria gave me the skills and direction I needed. And my good friend and respected NBA basketball official, Tony Brothers, coached me into believing that people respected me and my mission, and they would support it.
So my performance was not automatic. I had to prepare for it.
In a four-month period I was able to raise over $60,000 to help the nonprofit. All of these individuals were right. I could erase my doubts and move to performance, but only through preparation and believing I could do it.
What opposes you? How can you work through it? When you can identify what opposes you, prepare to deal with it, and expect to overcome it, you will be on your way to true Performance-Driven-Thinking.
Download this Free resource that will help you increase your performance.
How do you sustain performance driven thinking to quickly achieve your daily, weekly, and long-term goals?
10 Steps to Sustain Performance Driven Thinking
How to Maintain a High-Performance Mindset to Achieve Your Goals Faster!
