What Traits Do High Performers Share?
There is never one single factor at the core of high performance: no one structure, success secret, or set of practices that – if everyone were to adopt – would transform us all into high-performing individuals. People are complex organisms that can’t be changed that easily.
Wikipedia defines the word “performance” as: the concept of measuring the output of a particular process or procedure, and then modifying it to increase its output, efficiency, or effectiveness.
Here are five characteristics that are shared by high performers:
1) They have high expectations for themselves. They have confidence that they have what it takes to meet high standards, and believe that it is their job to do what it takes to reach higher levels of accomplishment.
2) They are always learning. This seems like an obvious one, but it is at the heart of high performance and improvement. High performers think deeply about what they need to learn and make sure they find methods and ways to learn it – whether it be taking on a professional/business coach, reading the right book, or attending a seminar on a select topic.
3) They constantly reexamine what they do. High performers are willing to examine what’s working, and what’s NOT working. They measure their performance and conduct “self-reviews” regularly, making notes on how to improve further. By taking stock of their progress, they are able to break through unwanted patterns and move forward.
4) They are accountable. High performers know they have an obligation to follow through on their performance. If others are outperforming them, they are the first ones to try and figure out what that person did and try to incorporate that new information into their own practices. They are willing to make changes that extend to every area of their lives.
5) Set attainable goals. High performers take the time to gain clarity on what they want. They also get really clear about the type (and level) of performance that is necessary for success in their chosen field. They know how to set goals that are in reach – not “pie-in-the-sky” goals that are completely unrealistic.
In both our personal and professional lives, we’d all love to be considered high performers. But we tend to fall short when we’re not willing to do what it takes to get the job done. This year, plan to adopt some of these characteristics so that you, too, can consistently exceed expectations and achieve high performance. Fine-tune your skills so you can perform at your best, day in, day out – and gain the results of improved health, higher profits, and most importantly – greater happiness.