Tag Archive for ‘performance’ at The Change Catalyst

Tag Archive for 'performance'

Know the rules - Some broken rules are going to ‘cost’ you

Published

on September 6, 2009

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Know the rules The English language is full of idioms on ‘bending rules’ and ‘breaking rules’. While American general Douglas McArthur said, ‘ You are remembered for the rules you break.’ While the rebel without a cause and the lone cowboy project strong images (archetypes), sometimes breaking the rules is going to cost you. You have to be aware of which rules are contributing to your success.

In triathlon racing, the transition between getting off your bike and going out on the run is called T2 (transition 2). Once you cross the line into the transition area, you dismount and run with your bike to your station where you park your bike and put on your runners. One rule I didn’t know was that you cannot even start to take off your helmet while you are running to your station. The penalty is 15 seconds. This happened to me in a race and I was surprised and annoyed with myself. It cost me time but more important in an endurance race it cost me energy - being annoyed for a few seconds is energy that needs to be channeled into the awaiting run. In the same race, my team mate got stuck with the same penalty and that 15 seconds was the difference between her coming second and third!

As a frequent business traveler, I am always amazed as I go through security at how many people get caught up in the ‘emptying pockets’ section. It’s a rule that you know you are going to have to keep. No getting around that one. So why not put your loose change, keys and phone in your carry-on bag before getting to security. I have got it to the stage now that when I pass the metal detector, it doesn’t beep. I can move on without being “wanded” up and down. By knowing the rules of the game, I come prepared and sail through an area that causes a lot of stress for people.

Think about the things you do on a regular basis. Commuting, flying, or applying for visas. What rules of the game can’t you change? I live in the suburbs of Shanghai and I know that if I go into the city in the morning I need to leave before 0645 to guarantee a smooth trip that doesn’t involve being stuck in a long line of traffic. Or I can wait until 0930. My stress levels are reduced greatly and this helps me maintain a higher level of performance. If you are getting stuck in a ‘trap’, think about ways to work with the rules of the game.

Have fun and like any game, enjoy the process!

Stress free preparation - Lay the groundwork for a good on-the-day performance

Published

Warwick

on August 29, 2009

in Health and Skills

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Stree Free Performance If you are reading this blog, then there is a good chance you are someone you likes to keep improving and strive for better and better performances. While stress can be a strong motivator for many people to perform better, it can also break you down.

Recently, I witnessed this first hand on the way to Western China’s Gansu province for a triathlon. With no direct flights from Shanghai and by waiting too long to book my flight, I took a first class flight on both legs of the flight. It turned out to be a great investment. I was well looked after, rested, had good leg room and avoided the pinched nerves I got on the 10 hour ride to my previous race. Also, the gap between my second flight was only 30 minutes. Also with the extra luggage allowance my big bike bag and other equipment went through without excess charges. In short, I couldn’t have travelled in a more stress-free fashion.

In contrast, my team-mates had a three hour wait-over in Xian, and even then didn’t reach the final destination. So they had a three hour bus ride the next day. All this involved humping massive boxes and bags on-and-off planes and buses. When they arrived at the race course, five people had food poisoning and the rest were suffering. The next day, two didn’t finish the race, another rode an extra lap on the bike and a third cramped up on the run. How much did the journey contribute to these performances?

When the pressure is on, the heat is up and you are tired, it is difficult to find a clear head. Being stressed out and emotional before the race doesn’t help. In my first Ironman, I didn’t check my equipment into the transition area at the right time and ended up spending 20 minutes in 40C heat looking for my sneakers, which were in the wrong place. In the end, my wife helped out to locate them but the amount of stress and energy spend was really high.

Looks for ways you can reduce your stress ahead of key performances - whether a race, a key business presentation or a meeting with the in-laws! Pamper yourself. Travel first class. Have a massage. Hire a limousine. Enjoy a little luxury and the better service that typically goes along with luxury services. You will feel so much better. Enjoy the performance!

High Performance Tips: The Art of the Taper

Published

Warwick

on June 18, 2009

in Health and Skills

. 0 Comments

Taper down to increase your performance We are all looking for ways to increase our performance given the resources given to us and the time we have in the day to dedicate to our given goal - whether that be work, play, family or community.

A technique used by endurance athletes before a race is called the taper. Like the funnel picture here, this involves reducing the volume of training in the week or two before a race. So if a triathlete is training 16 hours a week in the build up phase, during the taper she will reduce training volume to 8 or 10 hours.

While this may seem counter-intuitive, there is an important reason behind this. In short, this allows the body to repair and store up energy which increases performance in the race. A lot of athletes find this lowering of training a challenge. As competitive driven individuals who are used to pushing themselves as far as they can, to step back and train within themselves can be hard. As I am training for a race now, I have just entered my taper phase. I realized that this technique is applicable for all goal-setting.

Have you ever found yourself getting into a routine - albeit a high performance routine - and then asking yourself “Why am I doing this?” “What is this all about?” and if this is accompanied by questioning your own ability - you may need to taper.

If you have been pushing your new business development constantly all month and although you feel good progress has been made, you are not sure what comes next - take a step back. Take a day or two away from the activity of generating new business and put yourself in a different frame of mind. Call up an old and trusted client (or friend) and take them out for a coffee or lunch. Instead of trying to sell them, treat it like a fact-finding mission. Use your curiosity to learn more about their lives, ask them questions about their industry in general and perhaps even ask them to give feedback on your sales approach. This will strengthen the quality of your sales technique. Instead of hammering it to make 15 sales calls a day, take your time to make 3 quality calls. During your taper phase, see if you notice anything different or what you have learned that you can add into your toolkit.

High energy and passion are essential for success, but once a month add in a taper phase where you slow down, work within yourself and become more observant and “sponge” up new ideas. Enjoy the breakthroughs. Success in life is like an endurance race not a sprint so taper your way to higher performance!

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