“All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work.” Thomas Watson (founder of IBM)
“We think too small. Like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is ony as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view.” Mao Tse Tung
“Too often we . . . enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” John F. Kennedy
How well are you performing in your daily life? Are you just getting by, or are you performing fully at your capability? When you answer that question, be honest, but not critical. Are you focusing clearly on what is most important, accomplishing your goals, and getting the results YOU want in life? If your answer is “no” and you want to change the results you’re getting in your life, there’s a simple answer. You can shift to an “elite mindset” to get different results.
I realize that changing your mindset to change your results sounds obvious, and we all know this. Yet we often get stuck in the rut of thinking, behaving, and choosing the same way every day. Many people believe that to create better results they have to work harder, or become ruthless and demanding, or to get lucky. Well, here’s some evidence that there’s a better way. A recent study analyzed what differentiates the “elite performers” from the “also-rans.” The study, conducted by Dr. Ray Metcalfe (metcalfassociates@sympatico.ca), analyzed over 15,000 elite performers throughout North America. Elite performers were defined as those in the top 5% of their group (e.g., industry or profession). The study found that elite performers have six strengths to create an “elite performance mindset.” All six strengths must be present for elite performance; when all six are present, there is a “particular way of thinking, processing, and behaving that produces a balanced mind, clarity of vision, and high-end results.” The best news of all? An elite performance mindset can be developed! If you want different results in your life, be elite!
In the next several issues of The Spark I will talk about the six strengths that Dr. Metcalfe identified as the “elite performance mindset.” At the end of the series, I would love to get your feedback on whether your “score” for how you are performing in your life has changed as a result. The six strengths are:
- Elite performers think well
- Elite performers are bold
- Elite performers bounce back
- Elite performers are disciplined
- Elite performers have strong interpersonal skills
- Elite performers are practical
As you can see, there’s nothing inherently “hard” or “ruthless” or “lucky” about these strengths. They do, however, require intentional thought and action. Today we’ll look at the first in the list, “thinking well.”
Thinking well doesn’t mean you have to be intelligent. It means thinking clearly and focusing. I know people who are brilliant in their work, but don’t apply that same focus and clarity to their personal situation. And I know there’s a tendency to label certain elements of our thought process, such as “I’m just not good with numbers,” or “I must be ADD (attention deficit disorder),” to explain away the current thought process. It’s true that there are some very legitimate reasons why some people think and reason better than others. But we can all make a conscious choice to improve our thinking ability. When the quality of thinking improves, so do the results. Here are some tips:
- Focus on one thing at a time. Multi-tasking has been accepted lately as the norm. But if you want to think clearly and reason well, focus.
- Create an empowering mindset. Remind yourself that you DO think clearly and well. Throw out the old “why I can’t” stories and replace them with “how I can” ideas.
- Create an environment that supports your thinking. Turn off the TV or other noise. If you find certain music helpful (studies have shows Mozart is helpful for some mental tasks), turn it on. Take some good, deep breaths to oxygenate your system.
- Practice focusing. Meditate, do mind puzzles, or make a “game” of focusing very intently for some period of time. There is science behind this: studies show actual physical changes in the brain when people learn to meditate deeply.
- Take care of your body to maximize your mind. If you’re unhealthy or fatigued your brain can’t be at its best. When I’m tired, my brain feels like mush, and there’s no chance I can be “elite.” Be aware of how your health habits affect your ability to think.
- Assess. Periodically evaluate the results you’re getting and ask yourself what you need to change to get even more of the results you want. Continually challenge yourself to improve some aspect of your performance or capabilities.
- Find your own way. Everyone has different abilities, and everyone has their way to maximize their abilities. Become aware of what YOU need to be able to think well.
Performing at the top of your game requires the right mindset. The good news is that an elite performance mindset can be learned. A first step in the process is to “think well.” Be aware of the quality of your thinking. What are the situations that present the greatest challenge for you? What are you currently doing that doesn’t serve you, such as not taking care of your body or allowing negative, self-defeating thoughts to fill your mind? Once you’re aware of what is blocking you from “thinking well,” consider what improvements you could make. What is one thing you could do to improve your thought process? How could you make this improvement a regular part of your thought process? I recently read a bumper sticker: “Don’t believe everything you think.” Good advice! Commit to a higher standard in your thinking, and be elite.
