Are You a High Performing Athlete?

Peak performance. A buzz word used by coaches, trainers and athletes. What if that was only a small part of a bigger picture? By solely seeking peak performance athletes might be missing an even greater endeavor. High performance.

Sounds similar, but different in quality and approach. Peak performance is a burst, hitting a high moment, then leading down to a rest period. Peaks and valleys cycle through. Consider how burnt out athletes are at the end of the season. Is the cycling of peak performance and then low performance a contributor, expending unnecessary energy?

High performance means continually maximizing resources, building endurance through the use of best practices, to maintain an edge for the long run. With this approach athletes could achieve, and maintain, a high level of performance throughout the season. How would an athlete’s career be impacted with this approach?

By the way, many athletes are already dialed in. Seeking high performance instead of peak performance requires some adjustments, but not a lot. Instead of following a training program just because you are told to do it a certain way, take the time to educate yourself. Find out why each component is important.

To maintain high performance over the long run, to avoid burn out, is a conscious choice. Once you make the decision understand the necessary components and then develop a strategic plan.

The High Performance approach includes:

1. Psychology. Developing a positive mindset.

a. Identify 3 words describing key qualities, or characteristics, you want to embody. So when you approach each and every thing in your day, you are connected to these words. This develops congruency between what you say is important to you and your actions. They words you choose have meaning for you. Those qualities appear in your actions.

b. Attitude impacts performance more than you may realize. By bringing your best qualities into each and every action your attitude lifts.

c. The best approach for staying positive is to be in the moment. Presence of mind improves performance.

2. Physiology. Follow best practices.

a. Proper hydration. Yes, that means drinking enough water.

b. Sleep. Optimal performance requires 8 hours of sleep nightly. Just like you rest your muscles to repair themselves after strength training, your brain needs a prescribed amount of rest for optimal high performance.

c. Nutrition is important. Athletes follow a specific training plan for maximum results but are sabotaging all that work with poor diets. Some sports encourage healthy eating, recognizing food as fuel, whereas other sports don’t embrace these concepts. True commitment requires food science.

d. Finally exercise, each sport has its own best practices combining endurance and strength building. The key is to avoid over-training and adequate rest.

3. Productivity. Identify your big goal.

a. Next break that goal into smaller mile markers. Each day identify the one to five things you are going to do that day to reach your goal.

b. Make a commitment to yourself to stick with it.

c. Athletes with written goals, and a plan of action, have more success than the athletes who keep it all in their head. Make your goals a priority.

High performers play at a different level than athletes seeking one shining moment of glory. They recognize the drive to continue to excel, pushing toward the next goal. Complacency is not an option.

Commitment is a game changer. Give yourself a 30-day challenge in each of these areas to experience the difference. The goal is not perfection. It is about excellence. Doing what you can now to shift the needle to improve your performance. To be an elite athlete, without burning out, requires working smarter. A small shift in psychology, physiology and productivity will contribute to positive change. Let’s face it, optimal self care sets the stage for high performance.

Activity: Are you up to the high performance challenge? Identify your 3 characteristics you want to live by. Learn those words and bring them into each action you take. Next, write down the one change you are ready to make concerning your physical well-being. Finally, what strategy needs to be in place to ensure you meet your daily goals? Consider setting boundaries around the time wasters such as surfing the internet, games and TV. Strategizing the game plan beforehand increases the success rate.