A High Performance Mindset is a way of using your mind to find, be, and do your best. It's about harnessing a healthy way of making sense of your inner world, and organising your outer world for maximum impact.

For this reason, developing a HPM involves getting a better understanding of your values and beliefs, and making improvements to your thoughts and actions, so they align with your goals.

But more than this, a HPM seeks to develop mastery. Put differently, rather than achieving a goal in itself, it's an approach which gives emphasis, and places value, on process.

It's also one which, with practice, can be developed by anyone committed to their personal growth and development.

Characteristics of a HPM

Someone with a HPM will typically be open to feedback, adaptive, and creative in the way they solve problems. But alongside these general traits, here are three essential characteristics common to those with a HPM.

1. Emotional resilience

For some, there's a tendency to hold onto negative emotions when things go wrong or relationships break down. In some cases this might be holding onto bitterness and resentment, for example.

Those with a HPM recognise the counter-productive nature of these emotions. And because of this, once acknowledged, they do their best to move on from them.

In this respect, they have a high level of emotional resilience. In other words, they're able to bounce back from setback, deal with relational challenges, and continue working towards their purpose and goals.

Learning to recognise when negative emotions have become a relational barrier or preventing you from reaching your goals, is a helpful trait to develop. Sometimes you may need the help of a counsellor or coach.

2. Intentional focus

The ability to remain focused in an age of distraction is becoming more of a rarity. And this is no surprise considering the number of on and off-screen competitors vying for your attention.

However, those with a HPM have the ability to clear their mind of unnecessary thought, chatter, and clutter. And in doing so, give relentless attention to their purpose, goals or the task at hand.

When developing a HPM, the value you place on your goals will likely increase. But in addition, how you direct your time and energy towards achieving them, will be the real measure of your progress.

3. Rest and relaxation

I've seen several of my clients either shake or bow their head at the first mention of the relationship they have with rest. And this, I believe, is because the idea of rest is still frowned upon in some circles.

Yet, the notion of rest has been around for a long time. In fact, if you're familiar with the Bible's account of creation, you'll read that: "On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.”

Now, the above context isn't suggesting God was tired from the vigour of his creative endeavours and needed to be reinvigorated. After all, being God, he doesn't get tired.

However, we could take something from the Hebrew translation of the word "rested", which when used in this extract is "shabat". This is because one of the main definitions of this translation is "to cease, or to end".

What this means for us, I suggest, is there's value in putting our work down. And in some cases, using the opportunity to evaluate our efforts, reflect on our accomplishments, and take stock of our spiritual wellbeing.

I believe it's possible to do too much.

So, when developing a HPM, it's helpful to prioritise rest and relaxation. Not just for your overall wellbeing, but because doing too much can result in diminishing returns and poorer outcomes.

Summary

Everyone, without exclusion of age, gender, ethnicity, social background, or experience, is able to develop a HPM. It's not exclusively for those who are academic or athletic, its for anyone willing to put the work in.

Regardless of their chosen path, whether it be business, sports, or creative arts, those who perform well, are those who've learned how to manage their mind.

For you to function at your best and make your best contribution, developing an ability to consistently think well is key. Fortunately, with patience, discipline and deliberate practice, you too can develop a HPM.

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If you think you might benefit from working with a counsellor or coach, book a free Exploration Call with me to talk about what working together might look like.

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Photo credit: @shreyasmalavalli