Are you all in?
In Steven Pressfield's book, he talks about "Turning Pro" - a decision point where you finally commit to going for it, to living and creating your true life's work. Have you got to that point yet?
Accepting that most of us are still 'amateurs' and a work in progress on that front, the following in the book I found particularly useful as a call to action on the path to elevating mindset, performance and outcomes:
20 Qualities of a Professional:
✅ 1. Shows up every day
✅ 2. Stays on the job all day
✅ 3. Is committed to the long haul
✅ 4. Knows that the stakes are high and real
✅ 5. Is patient – defers gratification
☑ 6. Seeks order (defines processes and puts in place effective systems)
☑ 7. They do not wait for inspiration, they act in anticipation of it.
☑ 8. Acts in the face of fear
☑ 9. Accepts no excuses
☑ 10. Plays it as it lays
✅ 11. Is prepared
✅ 12. Does not show off (ie: being ego led)
✅ 13. Dedicates himself to mastering technique
✅ 14. Does not hesitate to ask for help
✅ 15. Does not take failure or success personally
☑ 16. Does not identify with his or her instrument (what they do and how they perform is outside their self-image)
☑ 17. Endures adversity
☑ 18. Self-validates
☑ 19. Reinvents themselves
☑ 20. Will not be distracted
How many of these do you tick off regularly and consistently?
I've definitely got a few gaps to work on!
From this list, where would be a good place for you to pay attention to next to elevate your own performance and results?
In Steven Pressfield's book, he talks about "Turning Pro" - a decision point where you finally commit to going for it, to living and creating your true life's work. Have you got to that point yet?
Accepting that most of us are still 'amateurs' and a work in progress on that front, the following in the book I found particularly useful as a call to action on the path to elevating mindset, performance and outcomes:
20 Qualities of a Professional:
✅ 1. Shows up every day
✅ 2. Stays on the job all day
✅ 3. Is committed to the long haul
✅ 4. Knows that the stakes are high and real
✅ 5. Is patient – defers gratification
☑ 6. Seeks order (defines processes and puts in place effective systems)
☑ 7. They do not wait for inspiration, they act in anticipation of it.
☑ 8. Acts in the face of fear
☑ 9. Accepts no excuses
☑ 10. Plays it as it lays
✅ 11. Is prepared
✅ 12. Does not show off (ie: being ego led)
✅ 13. Dedicates himself to mastering technique
✅ 14. Does not hesitate to ask for help
✅ 15. Does not take failure or success personally
☑ 16. Does not identify with his or her instrument (what they do and how they perform is outside their self-image)
☑ 17. Endures adversity
☑ 18. Self-validates
☑ 19. Reinvents themselves
☑ 20. Will not be distracted
How many of these do you tick off regularly and consistently?
I've definitely got a few gaps to work on!
From this list, where would be a good place for you to pay attention to next to elevate your own performance and results?
Do you believe that you have to work hard to earn money?
That you have to work hard to succeed?
Many of us do.
It’s a deep cultural belief that’s often passed down through the generations. The idea that you will be rewarded for being a ‘good worker’. That your job will be safe, and you will progress up the ranks.
In many, many cases, it’s no longer true.
❌ How many people do you know who have worked hard all their lives for very little reward or pleasure?
❌People who’ve been laid off despite their efforts?
❌People who have been overlooked for a promotion, even though they are diligent at their job?
❌ Business owners who work endless hours but still struggle to make headway, or pay the bills
I know plenty, including me in the past.
The work paradigm has shifted.
Many of us do.
It’s a deep cultural belief that’s often passed down through the generations. The idea that you will be rewarded for being a ‘good worker’. That your job will be safe, and you will progress up the ranks.
In many, many cases, it’s no longer true.
❌ How many people do you know who have worked hard all their lives for very little reward or pleasure?
❌People who’ve been laid off despite their efforts?
❌People who have been overlooked for a promotion, even though they are diligent at their job?
❌ Business owners who work endless hours but still struggle to make headway, or pay the bills
I know plenty, including me in the past.
The work paradigm has shifted.
Could it be that the HARDER you work, the LESS you earn?
As Daniel Priestly says:
💭“Hard work is not a competitive advantage any more. If anything, it’s the opposite.
Competitive advantage is thinking expansively, connecting with the right people and resources, and spotting fresh opportunities.”💭
💭“Hard work is not a competitive advantage any more. If anything, it’s the opposite.
Competitive advantage is thinking expansively, connecting with the right people and resources, and spotting fresh opportunities.”💭
It’s about making time to THINK, RECHARGE and CONNECT with your vision, resources, and people:✅ Prioritising time to pause and think strategically. To climb the tree in the jungle and look ahead.
✅ Embracing and harnessing emerging tech, AI, new ways of working, simplified, integrated systems.
✅ Seeking new connections, synergies and leverage in people, ideas, finance, tech and resources.
✅ It’s exploring and experimenting.
✅ It’s you and your team continually seeking incremental improvements (marginal gains) AND radical shifts, as a core and integral part of your ‘doing’ .
When you believe work should be ‘hard’, you are at risk of wanting/making it hard so you feel ‘successful’.
How often do you say “yes, I’m really busy” as a measure and validation of perceived success?
It’s a trap
Instead, seek for work to be EASY
To be flowing smoothly. Enabled by great systems, tech, people, ways of both working and being.
When you are in a flow state, it’s amazing how much gets done, and how energised you can feel.
❓What can you do today to start to make work easy?
❓How much time is in your diary, and your team’s, for non-busy work?
❓Is it time for a rethink about that outdated, unhelpful belief?
START EVERY DAY PURPOSEFULLY
Do you consciously set yourself up to succeed each day?
Start every day well, by 'warming up', exactly like high-performance athletes do.
Purposely set yourself up for success first thing in the morning, and even throughout the day when you find yourself waning.
Focus on five:
G – GRATITUDE- Start the day with gratitude, for all you already have and are
R - REFLECT on your goals & life vision – reset your aim
E - ENERGISE your mind, body & spirit - breathe, fuel, move, connect
A - ATTITUDE – consciously choose your approach to the day
T – TAKE TIME to plan your day, set your intentions & where you want to invest your attention
It's easy to just jump into the day. To plough into emails and check your socials. Instead, first INVEST 15 mins to prime yourself, to be at your peak.
High performance starts with mindful planning and preparation, especially focusing on yourself.
In the words of Ryan Reynolds in Free Guy. 🌟 "Don't have a good day, have a GREAT day!" 🌟
Start every day well, by 'warming up', exactly like high-performance athletes do.
Purposely set yourself up for success first thing in the morning, and even throughout the day when you find yourself waning.
Focus on five:
G – GRATITUDE- Start the day with gratitude, for all you already have and are
R - REFLECT on your goals & life vision – reset your aim
E - ENERGISE your mind, body & spirit - breathe, fuel, move, connect
A - ATTITUDE – consciously choose your approach to the day
T – TAKE TIME to plan your day, set your intentions & where you want to invest your attention
It's easy to just jump into the day. To plough into emails and check your socials. Instead, first INVEST 15 mins to prime yourself, to be at your peak.
High performance starts with mindful planning and preparation, especially focusing on yourself.
In the words of Ryan Reynolds in Free Guy. 🌟 "Don't have a good day, have a GREAT day!" 🌟
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