After studying many peak performers in all kinds of fields, one thing that stood out for me is that these people that were the best at what they did worked at it. They did not have the best talent or skills to begin with, though it may help. What I found was the amount of time and effort each person put into what they did.
This was even more important when the peak performers started their training at a younger age. It seems that the mental adjustments through training helped the peak performer even more than when they were in the arena. The military has known this for years, the best trained harder during peace time than others did. The best athletes train harder and put more into what their training than the average athlete. Again, those that started training at a younger age developed skills that enabled them to respond much faster than athletes that started later in life.
You may wonder, “How can I develop the same qualities at my age?” While you may not reach the same level as the elite performers, you can still reach a level worthy of the best. It’s been said that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of training to master any skill. If you were to break that down for each day you’d have to practice it would be like this: 2-3 hours a day/ 7 days a week for 10 years. Or 4 hours a day/5 days a week for 10 years. You can do the math in any combination that you want as long as it equals 10,000 hours.
BTW, mentally practicing a skill also helps. That means using mental rehearsal during the times that you can’t practice it physically. And in some cases, it actually may be even better because you can perfect it.
Being physically fit will help with your mental fitness too. Blood flow to the brain makes it function better. That includes having a regular workout schedule, eating healthy, proper amount of sleep, & proper recovery. Think of a race car, you wouldn’t put regular fuel or other parts in it, right? The peak performer’s body is like that of a race car. Keep yourself properly maintained through high quality living and it will pay you back many times over.
Keep a journal that documents each day. That way you can make adjustments when needed and to go back and find out what you did to perform at a higher level one day versus another day. The peak performer knows him or herself. So should you when you’re striving to get to that level.
Give yourself some good recovery time. Even the peak performer need time to recuperate in order to get back into the game and be their best. We see some of the best athletes drop in their performance because they did not have the proper recovery. When you’re constantly working to perform at a high level, day in and day out, eventually that will come back to haunt you in a down day or longer. So do some self-care.
The peak performer surrounds themselves with other peak performers. It’s like the old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together.” Eagles hang with eagles. Chickens with chickens. You decide who you associate with the most determines where you end up. Hang with peak performers.
As you take this journey towards being a peak performer in your given field, remember, it’s the amount of right effort you put in that will give you back the right skills you need to succeed. Give it your best!!!