What Top Performers Do Differently

Level Up by Culivating Four Key Characteristics

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It’s no surprise there are common characteristics among those at the top of their field. The top four are intrinsic motivation, self-direction, strategy, and decisiveness.

The good news is that teachers, artists, surgeons, mechanics, students, executives, technicians, programmers, athletes - top performers of all types, demonstrate behaviors that anyone can cultivate.

Top performers prioritize quality over volume. They are LEARNERS who seek ongoing growth and refinement to become even more accomplished. Top performers are decisive. They efficiently gather information, assess risk, decide, and move on. No second-guessing.

Top performers also self-initiate and self-motivate. They seek out new challenges, assignments, and knowledge without prompts. Finally, top performers tend to exhibit calm, confidence, and resolve in the face of high stakes and pressure. They’ve done the work, trained their instincts, and paid their dues. They’ve got this.

High-Achievers are Motivated, Self-Directed, Strategic, Decisive

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Top performers are doers who focus on self-management, growth, and ongoing skill and habit refinement. High-achieving performers are intrinsically-motivated, self-directed, and strategic. They are critical thinkers, and they are initiators. The Oracles, a group of top industry leaders, maintains a Top-10 List of what top performers consistently do:

For a great today and tomorrow, Do This:

  1. SHOW UP: Materialize on time without distraction.

  2. DO YOUR JOB: Attend to your duties whether you feel like it or not.

  3. DO IMPORTANT NON-URGENT WORK FREQUENTLY.

  4. BE A FORCE FOR POSITIVITY AND GOOD.

  5. DECIDE AND MOVE ON: Waiting too long is a negative.

  6. CARE: Warmth creates trust, the cornerstone of all interaction.

  7. DETERMINE YOUR PRIORITIES and say no to virtually everything else.

  8. MANAGE YOURSELF: Align thoughts, words, actions.

  9. COMMIT JUDICIOUSLY, THEN DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU’LL DO.

  10. EMBRACE LEARNING, CHANGE, AND GROWTH.

Building a compelling vision, company, brand or career demands an all-in, can-do mentality. Stand up, step up, and make this day great! Focus on self-management, growth, learning, habit refinement, and showing up.

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