Working at your Best

Working at your best 

Hitting that sweet spot of peak performance isn’t just about maxing out productivity; it’s about discovering what works specifically for you, your needs, and your life. This blog focusses on what you can control in your life, and it’s scattered with coaching questions you can ask yourself to help you be at your best.  

Defining Peak Performance 

At Hustle House we describe ourselves as ‘the home of kickass leadership development’ but we’ve also described what ‘kick-ass’ means to us. For us it is ‘Real. Powerful. Pulling no punches and having fun while doing it’. In order for us to live by this mantra, first we had to define it. So, what does peak performance or working at your best mean for you? Score yourself out of 10 for where you’re at now and then think about what 2 points higher would look like? 

Getting to Know Yourself  

Getting to know yourself is the key to unlocking your peak performance. Looking around at others can be useful for inspiration but don’t get drawn into comparison (it’s the thief of joy afterall) but more importantly it doesn’t help you identify what makes you tick. Take the time to figure out your strengths and weaknesses, your passions, and unique talents – ask your friends and colleagues if you’re not sure. Reflect on past experiences and look for patterns in your thinking and behaviours for clues. Ask yourself what works well? What isn’t working for me? 

The Rhythm of Productivity 

Ride the productivity waves! We all have unique ups and downs of energy throughout the day. By understanding when you’re at your best you can optimise your schedule to make the most of your peaks in productivity. Are you the 6 a.m. gym alarm-setter who never makes it? Maybe you’re a night owl who gets fired up just as everyone else hits the hay. Embrace your natural rhythm and craft a routine that’s right for you. Lean into your natural rhythm and build a daily routine that aligns better for you.  

Finding your Motivation Mojo 

Figuring out your values and what lights your fire, is one of the most impactful things you can do in your career. Professional coaches can help you do this in more depth but simply ask yourself this question “What is important to me about that?” It will help steer you to what motivates you and what grinds your gears. If you’re feeling unhappy and frustrated at work its likely because one of your core values isn’t being met. Think about things like connection, courage, community, innovation, honesty, loyalty, individuality, independence, and learning. You can then align your life goals and work objectives with these values now you know what motivates you.  

The Power of Habits 

Habits are your secret weapon for peak performance. They make life easier and free up mental bandwidth for the big stuff. Think about the routines, rituals and habits that you want to build. According to James Clear’s book Atomic Habits – habits must be obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying for us to keep them.  

Embracing Flexibility 

Adaptability is your superpower. While there’s a lot in life you can control to be at your best, life will throw curveballs, and you’ll need to flex. So, cultivating resilience is important to survive and to thrive. Embrace unpredictability and change and ask yourself ‘What can I learn from this new challenge?’ Remember ‘life is a rollercoaster, baby – you’ve just gotta ride it’.  

Putting You First 

Putting your own mask on first isn’t selfish, its essential for peak performance. Set some boundaries and prioritise your needs. Get to know what fills your cup – we’re all different, it might be physical exercise, time with the kids, a walk in nature or 5 minutes peace, but make it a non-negotiable in your day. If you don’t, no one else will.