20+ Years of Research Reveals How Extraordinary People Become That Way
No, it’s not about waking up early, taking cold showers, or being productive
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Did you know that high performers are 400% more productive than their average counterparts?
So, what separates the top performers from everyone else?
Brendon Burchard world’s #1 high-performance coach, a 3-time New York Times bestselling author, and one of the most-watched, quoted, and followed motivational speakers in history, has the answers.
After dedicating decades to researching how people become extraordinary, he’s concluded that it all comes down to certain habits and practices.
In his book, High-Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way, Burchard outlines some essential habits of high performers.
And they can be practiced on autopilot — meaning, once you make them a part of your routine, you won’t even have to think about them anymore.
The BIG “W”
As anyone who has ever set a goal knows, it can be easy to lose sight of why you’re doing something. You start with the best intentions, but somewhere along the way, you get sidetracked and end up veering off course.
That’s why it’s so important for high performers to know their “whys.”
Their why is their purpose, their reason for doing what they do.
It’s what pushes them to keep going when things get tough and to stay focused on their goals. It’s what drives them to be the best they can be.
Without a strong sense of why it’s all too easy to give up or settle for less than you’re capable of.
I’ve often used this example to illustrate the power of having a strong why:
Let’s say you want to lose weight.
Your goal might be to lose 20 pounds in two months.
But what’s your why?
Is it to look better in your clothes?
To feel more confident?
To be healthier?
Your why is what’s going to keep you motivated when you don’t feel like working out or when you’re tempted to eat that extra slice of cake.
Remembering your why will help you stay focused and on track.
So if you want to be a high performer, take some time to figure out your why.
What is it that drives you?
Once you know, use it as your compass to help you stay on track and achieve your goals.
Charge Your Battery
To be a high performer, you must have a lot of energy. You must bring your best self to every situation, whether a work meeting or a social gathering.
You need to think clearly, make decisions quickly, and take action without hesitation.
All of that requires a fully charged mental and physical battery.
So how do you generate it?
Know your production cycle and work with it instead of against it
We all have times of the day when we’re naturally more productive and times when our energy levels dip.
For some people, it’s first thing in the morning. For others, it’s later in the day.
Pay attention to when you feel most energetic and work on your most important tasks during those times.
Get enough sleep
This one is a no-brainer, but it bears repeating. Getting enough sleep is essential for keeping your energy levels up.
According to Sleep Foundation, most people need seven to eight hours of sleep. But if you find that you function better on less sleep, don’t force yourself to stay in bed for eight hours.
Listen to your body and get the right amount of sleep for you.
Eat healthy
What you eat has a big impact on your energy levels.
So if you want to be a high performer, ensure you’re eating foods that will give you sustained energy throughout the day.
That means avoiding sugary snacks and processed foods and instead filling up with healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates.
Motion
Regular exercise is also key for generating energy. Exercise gets your blood flowing and gives you an energy boost that can last for hours.
So if you’re feeling low on energy without doing any significant work, take a brisk walk or exercise to get your blood moving.
Break time
It might seem counterintuitive, but taking breaks can actually help you have more energy.
When you take a break, it gives your mind and body a chance to rest and recharge.
So when you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you can’t possibly do one more thing, step away from your work for a few minutes.
Take a walk, meditate, or take some deep breaths. Then come back to your work refreshed and ready to go.
Make It a Need
High performers don’t just have an “I should do this” mindset — they have an “I must do this” mindset. They see the things they need to do as necessities, not optional.
One of the best ways to raise your necessity level is to establish what you stand for and your personal values.
Knowing what’s important to you makes it easier to see what you need to do as necessities.
For example, let’s say one of your values is health.
In that case, eating healthy and exercising regularly become necessities because they help you live a healthy lifestyle.
On the other hand, if your value is freedom, you might see working toward financial independence as a necessity.
Once you know your values, it becomes easier to raise your necessity levels and prioritize the things you need to do.
Work to Accomplish Something, Not To Be Busy
To be a high performer, you need to be productive. But being productive doesn’t mean working longer hours or cramming more into your day.
It’s about working with the mind, not the body.
Here are a few tips for increasing your productivity:
Set realistic goals
If your goals are too big or too vague, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and give up.
Instead, break your goals down into smaller, more manageable pieces. And be specific about what you want to achieve.
Practically, you can’t do more than three important tasks in a day.
Focus on one thing at a time
Multitasking might seem a good way to get more done, but it actually decreases productivity.
When you try to do too many things at once, your attention gets divided, and you end up doing all of them less effectively.
So instead of trying to do everything at once, focus on one thing at a time.
Eliminate distractions
Any little distraction can throw you off course when trying to be productive.
So eliminate anything that might distract you from your work.
Turn off your phone, close social media tabs, and find a quiet place to work.
Grow to Learn. Learn to Grow
One of the biggest things that sets high performers apart is their mindset.
High performers have a growth mindset, which means they believe their skills and abilities can be developed. They’re not afraid of challenges — they see them as opportunities to learn and grow.
On the other hand, people with a fixed mindset believe that their skills and abilities are set in stone. They’re afraid of failure and avoid challenges because they don’t want to risk looking bad.
Here’s what can help:
Challenge yourself
Don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. The more you challenge yourself, the more you’ll grow.
Welcome feedback
Feedback can be tough to hear, but it’s essential for growth. When someone gives you feedback, try to see it as an opportunity to improve.
Don’t hide/hate your mistakes
Mistakes are inevitable. But they’re also opportunities to learn and grow. When you make a mistake, take some time to reflect on what you could have done differently.
👉 If this post resonates with you, forward it on to your buddies!
And please, don't forget to hit that ❤️ button.
If you’re NOT using the app, respond with the word “Awesome.”
It helps others find it on Substack.
Thanks for the support! 🙌