Habits are how our brains increase their efficiency. Our brains turn daily actions and behaviors into habits, so we can perform them automatically without having to manually think about them – that frees up brainpower for other more pressing functions.
Did you know that we repeat nearly 40 percent of our behavior on a daily basis? That’s why it’s imperative to have a strong set of daily habits. They really do shape our thinking, both personal and professional, and create our future. If we uplevel our habits, we can drastically increase our performance and improve our outcomes.
Are you ready to take back control of your life and reclaim lost goals and dreams? Check out these 10 World-Class Habits that will help you uplevel your life and business:
Habit #1 - Gratitude
Do you believe in a higher power? Some believe it’s God. Some call it the Source. No matter how you feel connected to a higher power, having the ability to connect and express gratitude is one of the most effective ways to operate in the “zone” or feel like you’re in the “flow.” This one belief allows you to be in the state of “being” and not in the state of “doing.” When you can do that, you let go of the outcome of any given task and open your mind to bigger possibilities. If you don’t already keep a gratitude journal, I’d encourage you to keep a daily list of 7 – 10 things you’re grateful for and see how your emotions are impacted.
Habit #2 - Adversity
Failure and adversity are close relatives. Both create a path to increased learning and growth. High-level performers have an awareness that provides an understanding that struggle and stress are conducive to producing mental toughness. If you’ve been following the path of least resistance, you’re relegating yourself to playing small. Begin to train yourself to view adversity as a training ground that will produce good results. As you progress, you will be able to embrace the contrast that creates beauty in your life.
Habit #3 - Hold your image
Elite athletes, like Simone Biles, Katey Ladecky, and Michael Phelps conduct themselves in a manner that is congruent with their self-image. There is a steadiness in their demeanor that makes them relatable. They are humble whether they win or lose. They are not afraid to share credit when they win, and when they lose they are willing to take 100% of the blame. This attitude often propels them to even higher levels of greatness. Who we are under pressure can define who we are to our friends, family, and business associates. Doing what’s right, regardless of the circumstances is a trait that will set you apart and position you for greater things in life and business.
Habit #4 - Show up
High-level performers are committed. Point blank. There is nothing that deters them from achieving their goals. High-level performers aren’t deterred by pain because they have determined that they will do what it takes to get to the finish line. High-level performers have an understanding that there will be pain, suffering, and sacrifice to uplevel their situation. When you are committed to a goal, you show up every day, even when you don’t feel like it. If you’re treating your goals like hobbies, you may not be firing on all cylinders. Ask yourself, “Are my habits and behaviors in alignment with my commitments?”
Habit #5 - Consistency
Greatness comes with consistency. When your actions are in alignment with your commitments, consistency is a byproduct. High-level performers are able to be consistent by tapping into their vision and plan. When you make choices in advance of a situation, it is easier to choose to stay on course. When you’re fully aware of the cost involved in attaining a goal, all that’s left is the follow-through. If you don’t have a clear plan, I’d like to invite you to schedule time for a planning session to map out your 5-10 year goals and map out a measurable action plan to turn that dream into reality.
"To lead any way other than by example, we send a fuzzy picture of leadership to others. If we work on improving ourselves first and make that our primary mission, then others are more likely to follow." – John C. Maxwell
Habit #6 - Fire in your soul
High-performing leaders understand that emotions are a powerful motivator. This understanding has fallen short in the business world where logic tends to rule. Trying to motivate an emotional being (humans) with logic is only going to work on a small percentage of the population. Tapping into the fire that burns within your team’s soul has the power to drive a team beyond what they believe is possible.
Habit #7 - Embrace new thinking
World-class performers like Elon Musk, Dr. Richard Branson, and Tony Robbins are open-minded. They are willing to look at new ways to do things faster, more efficiently, and more profitably. Network marketing and franchising are excellent examples of how new business models opened up the possibilities for exponential growth. It took decades for these ideas to catch on. Many average people discounted the ideas as unattainable and left money on the table while the pros took advantage of the innovations and made copious profits. The next time you’re presented with an idea that you would have previously walked away from, suspend your disbelief and give the ideal careful consideration. It just might be “the thing” that will propel you forward!
Habit #8 - Cooperate and Collaborate
John Maxwell says, “it takes teamwork to make the dream work.” We can always achieve more with a team than we can alone! World-class businessmen and women believe the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and that fosters a cooperative and collaborative culture. They are fueled as much by watching members of their team achieve greatness as they are achieving their own goals. The fear of competition or scarcity diminishes when a champion realizes the greatness of an individual can never outperform the greatness of a team. If your team is riddled with a competitive spirit, ask yourself if you need to check your ego at the door and invite more cooperation into your team culture.
Habit #9 - Curious
Curiosity is king in business! High-level performers understand that one new idea or a new twist on an old idea can be the catalyst to get to the next level. They have the ability to set themselves apart in a way that benefits them. High-performing leaders have a childlike curiosity constantly saying, “teach me.” They don’t settle for the fact that something works, they want to have a deeper understanding of how things work. When you adopt a mindset that you can learn from asking others great questions, you can learn from others’ experiences and escalate your results. The next time you’re headed to a networking event, arm yourself with great questions to ask others about what they do and why they do it. You’ll be amazed at the information you walk away with.
Habit #10 -Confidence
Do you struggle with self-confidence? You’re not alone. The majority of the population didn’t grow up with parents who help build a high level of confidence. Most high-performing business owners had to find ways to build it on their own. While there are many ways to build confidence, there are two primary ways that can propel you forward: positive self-talk and learning to speak publically. You can literally change your entire belief system by changing the way you talk to yourself…and best of all…you can turn this habit into an automatic behavior in as little as 66 days!
Hendinge
As I continue to push through my own limiting beliefs and fears, I have found that the habits I cultivate consistently and the company I keep help me build the foundation I need to achieve extraordinary results. Tapping into world-class mentors like John Maxwell, Brian Tracy, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Carol Dweck, and Steve Siebold have provided the tools I need to escalate my success.
As important as business tools and processes are, mindset and beliefs are equally important when building a successful sustainable business. Over the past 14 years, I have experienced setbacks, fought through imposter syndrome, and learned to follow my instincts, but I couldn’t have done it without a strong team. The beliefs about my abilities and the habits I practice on a daily basis give me the confidence and courage to press on. Like Marie Forleo says, ‘everything is figureoutable!’