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Do you, anyone you care about, or anyone you influence ever feel like the effort is there but the results are not?
Maybe there is something important, but going after it doesnât happen because "Iâm not smart enough, tall enough, senior enough, pretty enough, male enough, worthy enough"...etc.? Itâs been proven in science that YOU ARE ENOUGH to make progress towards anything thatâs important to you. You just need the proper tools and the willingness to put in the work.
Hereâs a tool and a couple tips to get you started.
Download the FREE Deliberate Practice Worksheet:  Use this new worksheet when you want to accelerate your progress for something important to you. How much you practice matters, but even more important is HOW you practice.
The following tips are based on research done over the last three plus decades by Dr. Anders Ericsson, the research scientist and expert on the science of expertise. If you would like to further your under...
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Itâs very common for us to judge ourselves based on other people's sizzle reels rather than what's real. We don't see the struggle, insecurities and messiness of others. Rest assured, it's there at any level whether an amateur athlete or Olympian, whether an intern or CEO, or whether a new mother or the household CEO of 4 teens.
So, how do we focus on progress not perfection to be world-class at what's most important to us?
Today we are going to focus on one thing you can do to get started: Practice saying Affirmations daily.
Consider that we become what we constantly tell ourselves. Evidence-based research shows that affirmations, actually change the brain on a cellular levelâin other words, what you think about mattersâa lot.
âThoughts have a direct connection to your health.â says Dr. Joseph Dispenza, author of Physics, the Brain and Your Reality.
Here are a couple tips for you to use Affirmations to be world-class at what's most impor...
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We all face the threat of someone or something disrupting our status quo. The mere thought of disruption can be paralyzing or it can be a secret weapon. With the proper mindset and tools, you (or your team) can take control to use disruption as a superpower.
I had the opportunity to catch up with Michael Alf of the Disciplined Disruption Podcast. Here are a few of Michaelâs rules to be proactive surrounding disruption, so you can capitalize on an uncertain situation. In future episodes, I will talk about the mindset and planning required to execute these amazing tips:
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There is a common misconception that being world-class is reserved for the elite few. We canât all be in the top .01% at work or in our sport, but we can learn how to think like those who are.
The result?
We start to make consistent progress at whatâs important to us even after setbacks, failures and disappointments. One secret to get the ball rolling is to be at peace with getting outside your comfort zone.
According to Dr. Anders Ericsson, an international expert on the science of expertise and the author of Peak (amzn.to/2uXOX1Q), getting outside of your comfort zone is one of the most important factors in "purposeful practice."
Keep the following in mind if you want to dream big, do small and make consistent progress on being amazing at whatâs important to you:
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Iâm going to address the âFâ word right away so I donât get in trouble. The âFâ word is âFear.â
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Emotions can propel us to greatness, or they can paralyze us, bringing creativity, productivity and motivation to a screeching halt. I sure prefer the later for moments that really matter and for long-term ambitions. Letâs talk about the Emotional Wheel and âFâear, as well as how your mindset may affect how you plan and how you perform under pressure. The good news is that you can learn the tools to dream big, do small and crush it especially when it matters. Zone Performance is not just for the elite few, itâs for you too!
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We all face the threat of someone or something disrupting our status quo. The mere thought of disruption can be paralyzing or it can be a secret weapon. Itâs all in your mindset and what you choose to do with it.
Hereâs one tip to "Leverage Mental Toughness to Rock Disruption" so you can get aggressive today about planning how to rise above the rest tomorrow: Keep this in mind, and youâll be on your way to using a tool you already have in a way that most people donât know about.
Hereâs how:Â Use fear to drive progress.
In order to foster creativity, productivity and courage itâs important to use this emotion to your benefit rather than to your detriment. Fear can be paralyzing or it can be a super power. It depends on your mindset, how you perceive it.
Hereâs how to take the first step:
1.) Recognize a potential threat and its consequences.
2.) Release that fear by accepting it, and then thinking of it as an ally.
3.) Strategize by usi
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Forming new habits take time (Dr. Phillippa Lally's famous study out of the University College London noted on average, it takes 66 days before a new behavior becomes automatic). But, the awesome news that there is something you can do to form habits quicker and feel good about your progress. Whether it's for exercise or it's for doing something at work or forming a new productivity habit, it's super important to be accountable.
I have a guest today who is a fantastic accountability partner and incredibly important to me in forming new habits. Kona is a 3 year-old American Labrador Retriever, and she is my accountability partner to go running four days a week. I don't want to say she's annoying. Let's just say that she's persistent! Whether it's for exercise or it's for something at work (for example you need to practice for a big presentation coming up in a few weeks) itâs super important to have an accountability partner.
There's a couple ...
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You work extremely hard to prepare for high-pressure or competitive situations, and itâs incredibly frustrating when results do not measure up to your effort. There is one thing you can do to help boost confidence and encourage your best when it matters: Set Intentions.Â
Hereâs how:
Intentions are things that you can or will do empower you to focus (thatâs a bonus!) and believe in yourself. This increases your self-efficacy (your belief about your capability to produce designated levels of performance that exercise influence over events that affect your life.)Â For example, âAt 4:00-4:30 p.m. today I will spend 30 minutes compiling research for a presentation.â So, the outcome of the presentation is uncertain, but there is certainty surrounding your preparation and execution.Â
Why it works.
Setting Intentions gives you control over whatâs important to being able to do your best. Itâs also an internal accountability system. World-class athle...
Pre-game rituals are tools that help world-class performers to be calm and focused during situations that are important to them. The great thing is: You donât have to be an Olympic hopeful to use rituals to help you do your best, especially when you are under pressure and the outcome matters.
Here are a few tips, so you can set up a ritual that helps you rise to the occasion:
1). Â Fuel Up:
Do you have a favorite pre-game snack or meal? If there is something that you eat and/or drink in the morning or before an important event that sits well with you and gives you good energy? Â Try making that part of your pre-game ritual.
2). Â Look Sharp:
Do you have a favorite article of clothing? Maybe something that you feel confident wearing? Maybe a âluckyâ article of clothing that youâve worn previously when youâve really crushed something? If so, have it ready to go the next time you need to be world-class for something important to you!
3). Â Get Focused:
Think about listening to music,
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Since emotions drive behavior, this is an important skill to understand and master, so all your hard work can pay off. Once itâs game time, it is time to trust yourself. In other words, trust that your desired result will happen (even if you are not so sure!)
World-class athletes perform their best when they are calm, carefree (of the outcome) and focused (on the most important thing to do their best). In other words, they trust and believe in themselves. Not being able to manage emotions is distracting, and the consequences can be significant and frustrating.
Keep this formula in mind, and you too will be able to champion your best results:
Emotional Control + Trust = Success.
Hereâs how to get started with managing your emotions, especially when the stakes are high:
1.) Â Recognize when feeling nervou...
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