The Secret Formula for High Performance

Performance equals potential minus interference. This equation comes from Scott Eblin’s bestselling book, “The Next Level”.

Simply put, your ability and level of performance are directly influenced by how much interference gets in the way of your true potential.

What is interference? Where does it come from? How do you get rid of it?

How do you increase your performance by fulfilling your true potential?

Let’s discuss this concept, with our own twist:

High performance = potential – limitations

The idea is to reduce your limitations to maximize your full potential. We all have more potential than we are aware of.

We often think we’ve reached our potential, but most of us aren’t even close!

Your potential is limitless. Acknowledge it and remember it.

We frequently settle for what we have because we fail to see our true potential.

We think “look where I am, that’s pretty good.”

We are limited by two types of limitations: mental and physical.

Each can be equally troublesome.

These perceived or actual limitations convince us that we’ve accomplished all we can, when in reality, we are capable of so much more.

Mental limitations are the thought-based limits or restrictions we put upon ourselves (aka mental garbage). Some common mental shackles include self-doubt, self-loathing or fear.

Occasionally, these limiting beliefs come from a parent, a sibling, a “friend” or a professor.

How many times have you thought you couldn’t do something, so you did not even try?

If you have low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, lack confidence or have a poor self-image, you’re not setting yourself up for success, because chances are, you won’t even try.

We often fall prey to our mental limitations, thinking negative thoughts about ourselves.

What we should do instead is move beyond the self-doubt and lack of confidence, and turn our thought process around.

Leave behind old failures and missed opportunities. They are only weighing you down.

Get outside of your own head. Find a mantra or self-affirmation that inspires you.

Tony Robbins famously used to repeat “Every day, in every way, I’m getting stronger and stronger”. Feel free to adapt this rhyme to your own benefit.

Don’t focus on the things you don’t think you can do. Instead, focus on the things you could learn to do.

Take small steps toward your goals to build your confidence. With each small accomplishment, some of that self-doubt will fade away.

You will begin to see how much potential you truly have.

You simply have to be willing to open your mind.

Physical limitations most often come from outside sources. One of the most common ones that affects high performers is distractions.

This includes phone calls, coworkers or employees.

It’s anybody or anything that takes you away from focusing on what you need to do.

Distractions also come from social media and technology. It’s easy to get sucked into the television or scroll through social media platforms while you take a break, but it’s harder to put it down and get back to work.

In the workplace, employees and coworkers are the most common form of distractions. Without a doubt, you are needed throughout the day to answer questions, sign paperwork, or speak to clients, but these distractions can prevent you from doing what you really need to do.

Outside of the workplace, physical limitations can be endless.

Depending on your situation, you may have physical limitations, like illness or physical impairment, that could be contributing to your own mental limitations.

It’s important to see beyond these limitations and strive to reach your full potential.

Location can also be a limiting factor. If you absolutely cannot leave your home on the West coast, and an unbelievable opportunity presents itself on the East coast, that’s a hugely limiting factor which requires major life decisions.

It also could be as simple as existing commitments or prior obligations that limit your ability to pursue a new opportunity.

Physical limitations can be most frustrating, as they aren’t necessarily within your control. Even emergencies or accidents can present a physical limitation. If you cannot work, you cannot reach your full potential.

The lesson to be learned is that these are only limitations, not defining factors. You are more than your limitations and your potential is your proof. Sit down and make a list of what you feel are your mental and physical limitations. Seriously, copy the simple chart below and do it. It’s all confidential, nobody will know!

Then take a step back and review your lists. Commit to removing every single one of them from your path.

Push yourself to see your true potential. All these limitations are standing between you and success.

You can move beyond them and do more than you imagine possible.

Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS
Meredith Jones, DVM
Co-Founders of Veterinary Financial Summit

Are you ready to conquer your financial future? Be sure to join us in September for the VFS Virtual Conference. At the conclusion of the event, not only will you have a better understanding of your financial future, you will also have created your financial plan, and become part of a Community of like-minded Veterinarians supporting one another throughout the year.