In This Edition
1. Six Characteristics For Achieving Peak Performance
2. Acronym for MAGIC
3. Recommended Reading
4. Quotes
ACHIEVING PEAK PERFORMANCE:
We hear a lot today about being your best, taking care of business, achieving success, performing at your peak. What we don’t always hear is what it takes to sustain peak performance.
Peak Performance is a commitment to your physical/mental/spiritual being and to your personal growth and development at all times. Peak performance, in my opinion it is not something you can switch on and off; it is what you commit to and strive for always. It is not just about business and achieving goals. It is also about balance between work and family, friends and fitness. Finding the right combination for each of us is personal, but I will share with you 6 Characteristics that have worked for me along the way.
1. Look after your health/diet and exercise. This is one so many of us take for granted. I know I did for so many years. The sad but true reality is if we don’t have good health, the rest does not really matter because the other steps of peak performance will not fall in place and we will not have an opportunity to enjoy the rewards.
See your doctor on a regular basis. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to share personal details. I know for some of us it is uncomfortable at times, but don’t mess around if something is bothering you. Case in point, I went recently for a colon cancer examination, not the greatest test to have to go through, if you have had one you will know what I mean, but the peace of mind afterwards was worth a day of discomfort..
Watch your diet. Educate yourself on eating right. There are lots of wonderful books out there on the subject, or go and see a qualified dietician if you like. Drink lots of water as well, 6-8 glasses a day at least. You will feel better and healthier for it and for those of you watching your weight, it will definitely take those hunger pains away in the afternoon and late at night.
Exercise moderately. I have a treadmill in my basement, for years it just sat there and collected dust, now I use it 3-4 times a week for 30-40 minutes, which fits in with my lifestyle and schedule. Do what is right for you. Join a healthclub, walk, swim, play tennis, golf. Exercising in moderation is wonderful not only for the body but also for the mind.
2. Discipline yourself to get up one hour earlier, or if you can’t do that, strive for even 30 minutes earlier than you do now and invest that time in yourself. I know that is not easy, we all lead such demanding lives and have family obligations. MAKE that time! Trust me, try it for 30 days, you will be glad you did. I started this discipline in 1986, after a successful course I went on to overcome my stuttering disability. I had to find the time for doing my speech exercises to keep my fluency. Do I succeed every single day in doing this, now especially with a young family? Not always, but I do as often as I can. I always feel better for it. There is something about rising early. Maybe it is the tranquility, the piece of mind, watching the sun rise, hearing the birds sing, taking that first cup of fresh coffee or fruit juice and focusing on the day ahead.
3. Challenge yourself to learn. Peak Performers constantly challenge themselves in many areas. They regularly read books, listen to motivational or business tapes to stay up to date. They are not afraid to be wrong. They are inquisitive and ask lots of questions. They spend less time watching television, and more time educating themselves.
4. Plan for peak performance. Peak Performers maximize their time. They prioritize, set goals for themselves, analyze their performance, and constantly ask for feedback. They go the extra mile and are single minded in their pursuit of excellence and success. They work hard, but they also work smart and they save and spend quality time with their family and loved ones. Life/Balance sometimes gets lost with people who are obsessive about success, but I believe it is essential for sustaining peak performance.
5. Take quality time off. I know it is not always possible for us to take regular vacations for one reason or another, but at the very least, take a mini vacation, even a day off devoted solely to something other than work or business. Take a walk in the park or woods near you, smell that fresh air. Take your children or nieces or nephews to the zoo. Treat yourself every now and then, it does not have to be grand and elaborate, use your imagination. For example, take yourself to your favorite restaurant. I love to go and explore the great multi-cultural neighborhoods of my home city of Toronto. I go browsing in the shops, treat myself to a great lunch…Find what is right for you.
6. Be comfortable with yourself. Peak Performers are comfortable with who they are. They know that things will not always go their way, that life is not always easy, that there will be sacrifices to be made. The bottom line is that people who succeed in the business of life know this. They surround themselves with a support system to help them, and they are comfortable enough with who they are to know that ultimately they will get to where they want to be and they know what it takes to stay there.
MAGIC
We hear this word so often, I want to be magic at this and that. Here is my acronym and definition of the word.
M……..Memorable: be MEMORABLE at all times in everything you do. Being memorable is about working to stand out in the crowd in whatever endeavor
A………Attitude: always have a great and positive ATTITUDE. Words can only get you so far, attitude gets you to the top
G……..Graciousness: be GRACIOUS at all times to everybody you come in to contact with. A critic today may be a client tomorrow
I…….. Integrity: demonstrate impeccable INTEGRITY. Your integrity says it all to people, tells them who you are and what you are all about
C……. Commitment: Be truly committed. COMMITMENT is the glue that keeps it all together when you have to dig deep down
Recommended Reading
Guerrilla Marketing Excellence by Jay Conrad Levinson
This book contains the 50 Golden Rules for Small-Business Success, this book takes the reader a step beyond do-it-yourself marketing guides and explains how to do it with excellence.
Zig Ziglar on Selling
This ultimate handbook was written for the complete sales professional of the nineties, but really, this information is timeless. This book covers all the essentials of professional selling, from making the call to closing the sale, and even gives time to the well-being of you, the salesperson. There is something here for everyone. Zig Ziglar is a master on this subject.
The Road to Success is paved with Failure by Joey Green
This is a great little book about hundreds of famous people who triumphed over inauspicious beginnings, crushing rejections, humiliating defeats and other speed bumps along life’s highway. I found it very inspirational reading and many of the stories very entertaining.
Quotes
“Exposure plus 95 cents might buy you a coffee. The key is to position yourself in your market as the expert, the resource, the only person your prospect would even think of doing business with, or referring to others” Bob Burg
“Inspirations never go in for long engagements; they demand immediate marriage to action!” Brendan Francis
“Obstacles can’t stop you. Problems cant stop you. Most of all other people can’t stop you. Only you can stop you” Jeffrey Gitomer
Copyright
Permission is granted to reproduce this newsletter in whole or in part provided the following byline below appears along with the article and that a copy is sent to me after publication. Thank you: To check previous issues for publication, please go to www.cmarcus.com and click on articles/newsletters.
Charles Marcus is an international motivational speaker. To subscribe to his FREE success newsletter, please send an email to subscribe@cmarcus.com. An electronic copy will be sent out to you every month. For more information on how Charles, his book and his programs can benefit your organization or group, please call 905-847-2323. Toll-Free in North America at 1-800-837-0629, or visit his website: www.cmarcus.com
