Why You (Secretly) Don't Want To Be A High-Perfomer
I've worked with people I consider "high-performers" across a range of fields including entrepreneurship, sport and education.
What's more interesting however is, they wouldn't actually consider themselves high-performers. Instead, they are simply, "normal".
They can't see the extra lengths they go to; the extended courtesies to others, the earlier starts, the disciplined routines...
It's just how they are and what they do, like a fish in water.
In my experience of coaching people beyond their potential (exceeding their goals and dreams), I've noticed patterns that just as the high-performers fail to realise their extraordinariness, these patterns keep us down, far below our potential and desire.
I want to shine a light on a few of those which may resonate with you and then uncover how to break-free of them (the job is half done once you've recognised the pattern).
Your Secret Performance Killing Patterns
1. Busyness vs Productivity
We’ve been conditioned to feel that being constantly busy is a sign of importance. If your calendar is chocker, you must be achieving great things, right? Not quite. Imagine someone spending hours replying to emails and attending meetings but making no real progress on their goals. This is busyness, not productivity. The real issue is we confuse activity with achievement.
Instead, consider this: High performers focus on what gets done, not how much they’re doing. They spend their energy on (a few) tasks that move the needle, even if their calendar looks suspiciously empty.
2. Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. The need to get everything just right often leads to paralysis. Consider the entrepreneur who spends months fine-tuning their website before launching. They’ve wasted valuable time and missed opportunities by waiting for something that will never exist: perfection.
What’s better? Aim for excellence but understand that taking action that scares you, imperfect as it may be, is where real growth happens. Done is better than perfect.
3. Lack of Recovery
You’ve probably heard that burnout is the price of success. This myth needs to die. Working 12-hour days without rest is a fast track to exhaustion, not high performance. Think of a top athlete: they spend as much time resting and recovering as they do training. Why? Because recovery isn’t just about resting; it’s about giving your mind and body space to rejuvenate and excel.
When you hit the weights at the gym, you break down the muscle. This is not where the growth occurs. The growth happens during rest, when the muscle is given time to repair - it returns stronger.
Apply this to your life by scheduling time for recovery. Whether it’s a walk in nature, reading a book, or simply sleeping 8 hours, rest is essential to sustain high performance over time.
4. Reluctance to Delegate
If you’ve ever thought, “It’s quicker if I just do it myself,” you’re not alone. But the reluctance to delegate is one of the biggest growth blockers. The obvious example is a small business owner who handles every aspect of their business. While they might feel in control, they’re burning themselves out on tasks someone else could easily handle. However, this applies to everyone; a parent telling their children, a partner with their spouse, a person with their sibling.
Delegation isn’t convenient, it’s long-term thinking because it's about doing what's best, not easiest. Free up your time for high-value tasks and watch your productivity soar.
5. Fear & Vulnerability
We often think that admitting our weaknesses makes us less capable so we keep everything bottled up. But vulnerability is the key to growth. Imagine a leader who never asks for help because they’re afraid of looking incompetent. They miss out on valuable advice, partnerships, and solutions.
Instead, own your gaps and talk about them. Leading by example will inspire others and elevate your (internal) standing. It’s a gateway to growth, collaboration, and, ultimately, higher performance.
Lowering the bar can actually lead to high-performance.
Practical Habits for Everyday High-Performance
So, how can we achieve high performance in everyday life if we're not elite athletes or business titans? Here are some practical, real-world habits from mine and my clients' experience:
1. Prioritize Rest and Recovery
Recovery isn’t a luxury, it’s a requirement. Commit to taking a step back regularly. Disconnect from work by a "reasonable" hour, take 20 mins power naps, sleep at a reasonable time (consistently), exercise, and create mental downtime. Start with one of these, rather than trying to do them all.
2. Focus on Progress Over Perfection
Shift your focus from doing things perfectly to just doing things. Set small, daily goals that move you forward, even incrementally. Lowering the bar can actually lead to high-performance. Action breeds clarity, and clarity fuels progress.
3. Practice Mindful Delegation
Delegation might feel like giving up control, but it’s actually self-empowering. Start by delegating one small task that someone else can do more efficiently. For example, if you’re a solopreneur, hire a virtual assistant to manage your emails. You’ll free up headspace for bigger, strategic projects that demand your attention.
4. Embrace Learning and Vulnerability
The highest performers ask for help. They seek mentors, feedback, and collaboration. For instance, if you’re struggling with a new skill, don’t shy away from asking someone more experienced for advice. Vulnerability is not a weakness; it’s a strength that enables growth.
5. Consistency Over Intensity
Success doesn’t come from one big burst of effort; it’s the result of small, consistent actions. If you’re aiming to improve your fitness, for example, commit to just 20 minutes of movement every day rather than waiting for the perfect 2-hour workout. Consistency compounds over time and yields results.
Redefining High Performance
High performance isn’t about constant hustle, perfection, or busyness. It’s about balance, recovery, and a mindset that embraces progress, not perfection. Sustainable success comes from taking care of yourself, focusing on what truly matters, and staying consistent.
Remember, 1% per day IS high-performance.
So, what small habit can you change today to start your journey toward everyday high performance?
Wishing you the absolute very best,
Stefano