Step On The Accelerator

The Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix will be upon us soon. I was never a fan of this race. I could not understand how enthusiasts sat in the heat of the day watching cars go around a circuit, with danger looming at every corner.

I see, hear and feel the adrenalin rush and understand what they are excited about but I would rather lie in bed, reading a book. Until the day I went into the city... and heard the engines roar.

I immediately put my hands to my ears while my heart pounded. Good grief! Was this what all the fuss was about? It was Friday night and drivers were practicing for Sunday.

I loved the roar of the engines as they approached and whizzed past me in the flash of a second. The drivers must have had to adjust their internal clocks to slow time down inside them. It would otherwise be impossible to maneuver a car at that speed.

I know they must be in their "genius state" a Neuro Linguistic Programming term for a state of mind when you are at optimal performance doing something that you love and of course thoroughly enjoying it.

Time slows down in slow motion inside and outside when you are in this state while in reality, the external world is racing by. This is when we truly are "in the moment" alert to every tiny movement that is occurring around us. Sensory acuity is heightened and you are able to respond in seconds.

I first experienced my genius state when I danced Ceroc (French jive) in Sydney. As my dance partner spun me around everything slowed down inside and outside me. At the time I had no idea what it was until I learnt NLP and realized that I was experiencing my first genius state.

A friend of mine was in a car accident. He was one of my NLP Practitioners. It was amazing that he could relate the entire accident to me. He said as the car spun around a few times he felt everything whirl around him in slow motion. It was because he had learnt about genius states that he said he allowed himself to "let go" while this was happening.

His car was spat out to the other side of the road and lucky for him there were no oncoming cars. A driver who was behind him saw everything. He thought that no one could have survived an accident like that. My friend opened the car door and walked out unscathed.

Traders have a genius state. Leaders do too. The trick is to be aware of your internal self and understand the pictures, sounds and feelings that differ when you do a variety of activities. This is because everything we do is dependent on our state of mind.

If I am in a confident state of mind as a salesman I am able to go out and close a deal. If I am in an influential state of mind I am able to convince my employees to follow me in my vision. When I am "being" in a state of mind I am able to "do" a behavior to attain my goal.

Most people who set goals think about the goal, which is the end result. What's more important is the "state" that determines the behavior that you are able to "do" The goal is a mere outcome.

The great thing about genius states is that they accelerate outcomes. Get into a powerful writing state and you'll find an unending flow of words oozing out of your brain. Feel that adrenalin rush state and be that Formula 1 driver who whizzes past the finish line in victory.

Athletes call it being "in the zone" and leaders say "words just came out of my mouth" as they do inspiring presentations. Those of you who have felt your genius states know what I am talking about.

To others who have not "do you know where your genius state is? What are you doing when you are doing your best?"

The best part of this is once you know what your genius state looks, sounds and feels like you will be able to translate this to a different context in your life.

I found mine while I danced and I have transferred the same state to when I present to an audience.

Step on the accelerator in your life and see where your genius state takes you.