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Ever caught yourself wide-eyed and amazed at peak performers, wondering how they consistently outshine others in their respective fields?
It’s tempting to believe that these high-flyers are simply gifted with extraordinary talents or driven by grand ambitions.
But, what if the real magic behind their success lies in the everyday habits they’ve carefully cultivated and practised with unwavering commitment?
These habits, practised day in and day out, are the building blocks of their achievements and the foundation of their resilience in the face of challenges.
And the best part? By studying these peak performers and weaving their habits into your own life, you too can set yourself up for greater success.
So here are three simple habits to supercharge your daily routine and prepare your mind and body for peak performance:
1. Harness Your Biological Prime Time ⏰
Are you a morning lark? A night owl? When do you do your best work?
All of us have a unique body clock that determines when our most productive hours are – our biological prime time. It’s called ‘circadian typology’ (also known as chronotype).
A secret of peak performance is understanding when your energy prime is throughout the day, and managing your tasks around that.
Here’s how you can tap into your unique energy rhythm:
1. Over the course of a week, track your energy levels each hour to determine when you have your peaks, and when you have your troughs.
2. Once you understand your rhythm, schedule important and urgent tasks during your high-energy periods (especially those tasks you’ve been putting off).
Work with your body’s natural rhythm, not against it, for optimal results.
2. Set up your Morning for Success ☀
The first 20 minutes of your day can set the tone for success or completely derail your focus.
Your brain is malleable and changeable when you first wake up. When you check your phone first thing, whether looking at social media, checking emails or scanning the news notifications you received through the night, you might unintentionally trigger your brain into ‘alert mode’, especially if you happen to stumble across something negative.
A study headed by Shawn Achor found that just three minutes of negative news in the morning can ruin your mood for the entire day, putting you on edge & magnifying your own personal anxieties. As expected, this undermines your performance.
Instead, follow the example of peak performers and establish a morning routine that includes gratitude, meditation, exercise, or visualisations. Experiment to find what works best for you, and watch as your day transforms.
3. Walk Your Way to Creativity 👣
Have you ever wondered why your best ideas seem to come to you while you’re in the shower, emptying the dishwasher or doing mundane tasks?
It’s because when you’re not directly focused on a task, your brain’s ‘default network’ is activated, and it works in the background on persisting problems, plugging away at possible answers to questions you have and processing information.
One way to tap into this creative powerhouse is to incorporate walking into your routine.
A 2014 Stanford study conducted by Marily Oppezzo and Daniel L. Schwartz found that walking outside significantly boosts creativity, even after returning indoors. Charles Darwin was also known to have his own ‘thinking path’ that he walked daily to ponder challenging problems. If it’s good enough for Darwin, it’s good enough for us!
So, create your own ‘thinking path’ and set aside time each week to walk and reflect on the questions or challenges you face. You’ll be amazed at the solutions that emerge.
By incorporating these three habits of peak performers into your routine, you’ll be well on your way to maximising your potential and achieving your goals. Give them a try and watch your performance soar!
*And a caveat… I know this is all about peak performance, but don’t fall into the trap of the non-stop hustle. Real success is a dance between your professional triumphs and your personal health, joy, and well-being. Take a moment to hit the pause button, breathe deeply, and give self-care the spotlight it deserves. After all, a balanced and rewarding life is built on a strong foundation of self-nurturing. So, go ahead and savour the adventure, and remember, growth isn’t just about reaching new heights but also about nurturing yourself along the way.
Let us know in the comments – what positive habits have you cultivated that help you sustain high performance? 👇
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