15 juillet 2010

Optimum performancepar Aline Tardif, PCC

August is a good time to plan ahead  for the next season.  Indeed, after the  summer holidays, who doesn’t want to plan for better results this Fall? 

Most of us are nourishing a desire  for achievement.  We are longing to coach  as many people as we can and help them reach their boldest goals and realize  their full potential.

But how can we achieve a high level  of effectiveness and be of service to the world without experiencing excessive  stress?  It’s a question I need to ponder  because of my tendency to fall into perfectionism…

First, what does performance  mean?  Does it mean « more »?  Does it mean “competition”?  Actually, both  are traps.  On the one hand, if I focus  on « more » there seems to be always more to accomplish and it drains  my energy.  On the other hand, if I  compare myself to others, I feel the need to push harder for work, and it’s not  what I really want to do.  In fact, I’m  looking for the exact opposite : I want to slow down, work smoother and  smarter, and take the time to check inside myself and to stay in  touch with my heart.  

What then is optimum  performance?

  According  to John Assaraf*, “Optimum performance is  about playing life at the highest possible level, reaching our fullest  potential” and it “can only truly be achieved when 'all of you' is in the game.  And life is just a game. The game of life is about choosing what we really  want. It is in becoming more and having fun. It is natural to grow and become  more, when we do what we love and what we want.” 

What a relief! As a coach, I’m blessed  to do what I enjoy doing. When I just “play” my role, using my competences at  the fullest, expressing my talents at my best, I’m on the way toward optimum  performance!

  But having fun doesn’t mean not putting in any effort. I  will achieve expected results in direct proportion to the effectiveness of the effort I put in, not the amount of effort. Just being active won’t  produce good results. Optimum performance is  about doing the 'right things' really well.

  The  following questions can help one digging deeper to discover what feels really “right”:

  1. What do I want  to create?
  2. What gives me  deep pleasure, deep joy?
  3. What builds my  energy up every day?
  4. What am I  passionate about?
  5. What makes me  feel vibrant?
  6. What unique  gift do I bring to my clientele?
  7. How can I be a  joyful presence in the world?

Answering these questions helps me to  reconnect with my ability to be helpful, playful and happy.    This year, I plan to stop and listen  on a regular basis.  I think that being  present is the way to reach a level of performance that feels “right”.  Being mindful and more present in what I do,  I may do less but experience so much more!

  As a coach, I know the huge value of  being fully present to my client.  I also  know that I can only give what I have.   If I’m not present to myself, how can I be present to others? If I enjoy  myself more, the results I will get will be by-products of having fun and doing  what I love and want to do.

  I can also have a look at what's  ‘not fun’ in my life right now.  It’s up  to me to readjust and start on more enjoyable basis where the need is felt.

  What about you? Do you want to play?

  How great would our world be if it  were fun for every human being? Well it can be...  isn’t it?   It can be if we choose to!

*John Assaraf’s website : www.onecoach.com

Aline Tardif, PCC PCC, Présidente de Vision & Interaction inc.