Q: Why are top performers top performers?
A: Because they know they are.
And because they know, they’re not trying to be.
Top performers identify as top performers and so they’re thoughts, actions, behaviours and results then match up.
If their results slip, it’s only because who and what they’re identified with has slipped.
Sporting professionals and financial markets traders at the top of their game are among those who know just how important their identity is to results.
But regardless of the field or endeavour, identity always leads performance and results.
It’s never the other way around.
Goals, strategies and tactics, long hours, striving and effort without aligning identity with the desired result just won’t get us there.
Because identity gives rise to our thoughts, beliefs, inner-stories, feelings, plans, actions and behaviours…
And to the results that follow.
Results always correspond with identity.
Identity is cause.
Results are the effect.
What we’re attaching to our “I AM” (consciously or unconsciously) in mind is what we experience the results of ‘externally’.
Our inner stories about ourselves, others, circumstances and the world are on display.
Results are just the mirror for who and what we’re identifying with.
And we can either take our cues from our intentions and desires or from our results and the world of effects.
Games are won or lost on this basis.
Whether it’s tennis, golf, football, rugby, another sport or the game of life.
Of course we might say it’s down to luck or skill or timing but this would be ignoring (ignorant of) first cause.
First cause is movement in mind caused by our ‘state of being’ and the body of beliefs contained within our state.
Not beliefs at an intellectual level of course.
Everyone believes consciously or intellectually that they can do better than they’re doing.
Intellectually we believe in our New Year resolutions and goals too.
But it’s belief held in mind at a knowing level that matters and delivers.
Beliefs held based upon what we’re identifying with through our state.
Some might call this ‘mindset’.
But ‘mindset’ as a term can be misleading.
Because it’s often considered (and often taught) to be a head game.
Many even believe the mind is in the head or is the brain.
And mindset is often considered to be about gathering information.
Or about the intellect, positive thinking, attitude or discipline.
Such beliefs typically lead to frustration, exhaustion and disappointment.
And ultimately to not much change.
Because results always, always stem from what we’re dominantly embodying.
From who we’re being.
Knowing is not a head game.
Knowing is not fake it ’til you make it.
Knowing is visceral.
When you know, you know.
When you know, you don’t need to think.
When you know, you flow and allow.
When you know, the nature and quality of your thinking changes anyway.
Knowing is in the body, not the head.
Knowing isn’t arrogant and it’s not try-hard; it’s the complete opposite of this.
When it comes to our goals and desires, the great thing is any of us can readily shift and continue to shift our identity to align with our intentions.
And when we do this, we think, feel and behave differently too.
New behaviours become automatic. It’s not about will-power or striving or effort.
And our results then mirror back our new identity.
When I say this, I’m sometimes challenged about what’s really possible for us and what’s not.
And my answer is always the same.
If we have a genuine desire for something, we have the ability to realise it.
Because it’s not about luck, it’s about laws of mind.
Mind works by law just as gravity does.
Just because we don’t understand it and can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not real or we’re not affected by it.
As with gravity, the laws of mind are always on and working. 24/7.
As with gravity, the effects are the same for everyone. It’s not selective!
We either learn to align and work with mind relative to our desires and goals or – as with gravity – we suffer the consequences of resisting and doing otherwise!
Unfortunately we’re not taught about the mind at school but in essence, we can work with our mind in two ways.
Consciously or unconsciously.
Whichever we choose, two things are certain.
1. Working consciously is paradoxically about not working at it. It’s about actively surrendering to what is and to our desires and to then being moved to do what’s required of us to attain our goals with certainty and least effort.
2. Until we align our consciousness and state with our goals, we don’t get to experience them! We may work for years trying but trying perpetuates trying and it can lead to burnout, exhaustion and disappointment.