Have A Great Time Excelling On The Job and In Sports

Raj Gavurla

by Raj Gavurla of LiiiVEN, Inc.

Statistics show the majority of people aren’t enthralled with their work. Interpreting the statistics meaning forces me to come to the conclusion it’s difficult for them to have a great time because instead of excelling they reached a plateau which causes static thinking, worry, stress, or tiredness. One way to break anhedonia is by applying the following peak performance structure to improve your mindset, mood, and motivation.

Home Routine

What are the daily prep items? These items get you to the job or field with the right mindset. For example, take a shower and shave, eat breakfast, have my gear (clothing and shoes) ready the night before, if you have children send them off to school, if you’re married tell your spouse when you expect to be home and talk about evening plans. Modify the list to your liking. Why do this? So you aren’t scrambling looking for your jacket or tennis racquet at the last minute instead you’re heading to work or the court in the right frame of mind.

Pre-game Routine

Once at work have a set routine to get you settled down. This should take approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to talk with people about whatever they want to talk about. Examples are “I get a safe driver discount”, “My child made the honor roll so I get a discount”, “my child is having trouble with school”, “my daughter is pregnant and not married”, “what did you think of the game last night?”. Although we separate work from our home life, we are social beings and interaction plays an important part in people knowing you and being a part of the workplace. Sure, you may say my routine is to get the most done in the morning and when most of the people are at the water cooler I’m getting it done. Guess what? Get in earlier or take a break and get to the place people are talking (marketing 101). Otherwise, when you head to the cooler at your time there’s no one there. Yikes! It will make work a lot more meaningful and friendly. Then, get a cup of coffee and check the news, plan your day or whatever else you like to do in the morning. Depending on your sport, instead of grabbing coffee, take two sets of five shots right handed from the right block, mid lane, and left block and then two sets of five shots left handed from the right block, mid lane, and left block, 25 free throws right handed, 25 free throws left handed, and two sets of two three pointers right handed and left handed from five spots. Make up your mind you’ll be there for the entire time. Now you’re settled down.

Work

This is the fun part. Here you are focused on producing results and sometime interaction with others is fast and real time. If you don’t know, knowing where to get the information is important. Expect the unexpected here because it’s real time. Be proactive as well as reactive. Be quick and concise. Help yourself and others as needed. Of course, you can take breaks. Be sure to do so. You’ll get more done. Try yoga stretches, go for a walk, talk with a friend, or call time out to regroup.

Recovery

The late Ray Pelletier had a concept known as the “trust bank”. Ray would call his employees and discuss the progress made. Sure he needed an update but the real reason he was calling is to see what roadblocks or help may be needed and what opportunities now existed because of the work accomplished. You can do this regarding your own work or team up with a colleague. The key here is to be confident if you reach an obstacle no matter how small or large you know you can reach out for help without being reprimanded or your colleague knows this is a time for constructive feedback and solutions (what to do) not a time to criticize. Your team will be a lot better.

Post-game Routine

Here is where you break through the plateau reached. Write the lessons learned and tips picked up. Over time by keeping a post-game notebook your skill level consistently increases. Therefore, it becomes a whole lot easier. This is also a good place to write what you learned about the competition to increase your business winning percentage. For example, you might write there’s now a new process I can use again and again. Or when shooting the ball see the goal, think and feel natural, and follow through with hand up through the goal.

Regardless of your level, have a great time excelling on the job and in sports structure gives you a renewed purpose, instant energy, and enthusiasm so you can experience a sense of pleasure. Do it for one week and you’ll be hooked. You’ll think could it really be this easy. Your customers will be thrilled. Now your workplace is a team.

Raj works with organizations that want more productivity and profitability by improving their mindset, mood, and motivation. He is the author of Winning at Entrepreneurship.