Two Words that Can Dramatically
Boost Your Performance
Think small. Why? If you want to significantly improve your performance in 2003, bigger isn’t always better. In fact, big goals can create big obstacles in your mind. That’s why most people who set New Year’s resolutions on January 1 have already failed. It’s just too overwhelming to focus on improving sales by 25 percent, losing 20 pounds or generating a six-figure income stream. Every big goal has to be achieved by first taking one, small step. Making this year successful doesn’t demand sweeping change or grand resolutions. It requires your commitment to a set of small, but powerful, standards. I call them my non-negotiables. This year, some of the non-negotiables on my list are to: *Take a multi-vitamin and calcium supplement daily.
*Exercise at least three times a week.
*Make one new business contact or appointment each week.
*Sit in silence every night for prayer and meditation.
*Do at least one writing exercise per week.
*Keep at least two days a week meeting-free.
*Plan a date night with my husband once a month.
*Drink 64 ounces of water each day.
*Step outside my comfort zone at least once a month.
*Say no to anything that does not fit into my mission. Some of these items are new this year and require a great deal of discipline. But many have been on my list for so long that they’ve become spontaneous. They take absolutely no effort. That’s the goal: to develop habits and rituals that will help you consistently make the choices that lead to peak performance in all you do. By committing myself to this list, I am virtually ensuring that I am energetic, productive, focused, connected, challenged and fulfilled in my personal and professional roles. To change your life right now, think about one small thing you can do to dramatically improve your performance in 2003. The key to success: integrity. You must eliminate the possibility of justifying another choice or a different option. You must adopt a zero-tolerance policy—come hell or high water—for accepting anything less at least 90 percent of the time. (I say 90 percent because complete rigidity can lead to an all-or-nothing mentality. There are no absolutes. The goal is not perfection, but to be your best.) When you commit to one, small, non-negotiable action, you’ll notice a big difference right away. In one day, you’ll feel a change in your attitude. In one week, you’ll see that things are somehow falling into place. In one month, you’ll experience tangible results. By the end of the year, you’ll be amazed what a positive impact that one small change has made—to your confidence, your career, your life.
New Signature Keynote—
Peak Performance Under Pressure
Peak performance is not what happens when times are good. It’s the glory of what happens in the heat of the moments we call life. Every day, the world challenges us in ways great and small. When you or your organization faces one of these critical crossroads, this program will give you the tools to consistently choose the path of peak performance. You’ll learn to:* understand the role challenge plays in your life and business
* identify the instincts that are not serving you well
* assess past performance to make positive changes for the future
* take back power over things for which you feel powerless
* stop a pattern of persistent challenges
* overcome a performance plateau
* stop riding the coattails of what’s happening around you—and make things happen for you
* give yourself an “energy injection” to restore confidence, balance and creativity. For details or to schedule this program, e-mail kim@preparedtoperform.com.
SightingsMarch 18 / Baltimore, MD
Leadership Seminar: “The Peak Performance Commitment”
Sponsored by the Junior League of Baltimore
Open to League members only. For details or to register, call 410-662-0800. April 30 / Timonium, MD
Closing Speaker: “Rise to the Leadership Challenge”
Leadership Lessons to Last a Lifetime
A spring conference sponsored by Executive Women’s Network
For details or to register, call 410-653-5067.
WritingsBaltimore SmartWoman / February 2003
Grace Under Pressure - All About Soul: Hopkins Surgeon Claudia Thomas Weathers the Storm Baltimore SmartWoman / March 2003
Grace Under Pressure - The Best Defense: Col. Mardi Mark Moves Up the Ranks The Jeffersonian / March 4, 2003
Kim Goad on the Leading Edge - “Praise for the “F” Word: Focus”
Do You . . .* Have comments about this newsletter?
* Want fresh, new ideas for an employee training session or team-building program?
* Know an innovative businessperson or organization to feature in my Leading Edge column?
* Need a speaker for a conference or special event?
* Have a specific question about how you can take your performance to the next level? Talk to me! E-mail kim@preparedtoperform.com.
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