The key to personal growth is an innate desire to better yourself. Whether you currently consider yourself a highly organized person or you are on a mission to improve your habits, becoming a high performer is likely to benefit you both personally and professionally.
High performers are individuals who consistently excel in various areas of their lives. They possess a set of habits that contribute to their success and help them maintain peak performance. The good news is that these habits are not exclusive to a select few; anyone can incorporate them into their daily routine to enhance their own performance. In this blog post, we will explore ten habits of high performers that you can adopt to unlock your true potential.
1. Set Clear Goals For Yourself
Having goals is one of the best ways to ensure you are consistently moving forward. Each time you accomplish a goal, you can set a new one to work towards. People that are considered high performers understand the power of a well-defined target and use it as a roadmap for success. They outline their objectives, which helps them gain clarity, direction, and a sense of purpose. You can start by breaking down your long-term goals into smaller, manageable milestones, and set deadlines to stay focused and motivated.
An actionable way to do this is to use a planner or even a plain piece of paper. Writing down your goals by hand is a powerful way to reinforce them internally. As you accomplish each milestone, physically cross them out on the piece of paper. This visualization can help keep you on track and motivated.
2. Take Time To Plan Ahead
High performers are people that recognize the importance of effective time management. Most often, they will prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, ensuring that they allocate their energy and resources to the most critical activities. You can develop a habit of planning your day in advance, creating to-do lists, and organizing your tasks based on their significance. This practice will help you stay organized and make the most of your time.
A simple way to get started with this is setting a time to wake up that will allow you to accomplish your morning tasks. In most cases, this will require you to wake up earlier than you currently are. Start small and set your alarm for 5-10 minutes earlier than you have been. Every few days, increase the amount of time until you are waking up early enough.
3. Remember That Learning Is Continuous
Lifelong learning is another common practice of high performers as they understand that knowledge and skills are the building blocks of success. Anyone looking to increase their learning can cultivate the habit by reading books, attending seminars, taking courses, or even simply engaging in meaningful conversations with experts in your field. The key is to embrace new information and challenge yourself to grow.
Joining an online seminar is a great way to get started, especially if you are not comfortable attending in-person at first. You can also explore peer-reviewed studies, watch YouTube videos, and spend time around others that are more successful than you.
4. A Growth Mindset Is Key
People that are high performers possess a growth mindset, which means they believe in their ability to develop and improve through dedication and hard work. They view challenges as opportunities for growth and setbacks as valuable learning experiences. You can begin to build a growth mindset by reframing failures as stepping stones to success and by embracing a positive attitude towards personal development.
5. Practice Self-Discipline Often
Self-discipline is non-negotiable when it comes to achieving goals. You cannot get to where you want to be without making sacrifices and saying no to certain people or things. People that are successful consistently follow through on their commitments, even when they don’t feel motivated. To become more like this, work to build self-discipline by establishing daily routines, setting boundaries, and avoiding distractions. Focus on the long-term rewards and learn to manage your impulses to stay on track.
6. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
We know that our physical and mental well-being impact our performance on all levels. High performers will prioritize their health by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and eating nutritious meals. Although this sounds simple, making this a daily practice can be difficult. It takes consistency, dedication, and a deep desire to be the best version of yourself. Try incorporating physical activity into your routine and be sure to make self-care a non-negotiable part of your life. A healthy body and mind are the foundation of high performance and will lead you down a path of greater success.
7. Stay Present Whenever Possible
High performers practice mindfulness to stay focused and reduce stress so that they can continue to work towards their goals. In order to become better at this, incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or even taking short breaks to clear your mind. Rather than becoming consumed by what if’s or potential stressors, they keep their mind clear by remaining present. Practicing this can allow you to cultivate a greater sense of calm and concentration.
8. Surround Yourself With The Right People
You become the summation of those that you spend the most time around. High performers often surround themselves with positive, like-minded individuals who support their growth and success. They do this because they understand the power of a strong network and seek out mentors and peers who inspire and motivate them. If you want to become like them, work to build a supportive network of individuals who share your values and aspirations.
If you find yourself currently spending time around people that are unmotivated, lack work ethic, or are downright unproductive, you might consider removing yourself from these relationships. Finding friends or mentors that embody the traits you are looking to build within yourself will benefit you far more than spending time around those that do not.
9. Embrace Failure and Continue Taking Risks
Being successful in life requires a lack of fear when it comes to failing and taking risks. Failure is an essential part of the learning process and taking calculated risks can lead to great rewards. This could be personal, financial, or otherwise. You can work to develop the habit of embracing failure as an opportunity to learn and grow by stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks that align with your goals. The greatest achievements often come from pushing past your limitations.
10. Remain Grateful At All Times
A grateful mindset will get you far in life and this is something successful people tend to understand. When you appreciate the progress that you have made, more opportunities tend to pop up. Practicing gratitude allows high performers to stay positive, maintain perspective, and find joy in the journey that they are on. Cultivate a habit of gratitude by starting a gratitude journal, expressing appreciation to others, or simply taking a moment each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for.
Incorporating the habits of high performers into your life can enhance your performance and unlock your full potential. Taking the time to put their practices into play will allow you to embody the traits that make them so successful. In no time, you will find that you yourself have become a high performer as well.
We Can Help!
If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or stress a result of high performance and increasing work demands, we can help.
MHThrive provides Individual Therapy, Couples and Marriage Counseling, and Family Therapy at our locations in Katy, The Woodlands, and the Clear Lake area of Houston, Texas. We also provide telehealth therapy for anyone who resides within the State of Texas. To schedule an appointment with one of the MHThrive therapists, contact us at 713-477-0333 or visit www.mhthrive.com to learn more.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any mental health or substance abuse issues, New Dimensions can help. Our team of experienced therapists and psychiatrists can help you overcome these challenges and help you develop the skills you need to thrive. To schedule a complementary assessment or to find out more about our programs, contact us at 1-800-685-9796.
Online Treatment Programs provides Teletherapy Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs allowing participants to receive intensive therapy with our licensed therapists and psychiatrists without having to leave home. If you or someone you know is struggling to overcome depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, panic attacks, PTSD, alcoholism, drug abuse, or other mental health or addiction issues, we can help. To schedule a complementary assessment or to find out more about our teletherapy programs, contact us at 1-800-685-9796.
References
https://www.proquest.com/openview/ab90d584132dbc11bbdf9cc923b9d15f/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=49284
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0957417409004904