I had the pleasure of attending a course by Dr. Jason Selk, a world-renowned performance coach and mental toughness expert. As Director of Sport Psychology for the St. Louis Cardinals, he played an instrumental role in helping the team secure their first World Series victory in more than 20 years. In 2011, he was also pivotal in the team’s historic feat of winning their second championship. 

According to Dr. Selk, self-confidence is the number one variable for all human performance. Focusing on solutions increases confidence, whereas thinking about problems destroys confidence. 

The thing is, how do you stay positive when everything around you doesn’t seem to work out? When all the odds are stacked against you, how do you begin to fight back? As human beings, we’re wired to focus on problems or what Dr. Selk and Dr. Reed describe as problem-centric thought (PCT) in their book Relentless Solution Focus. 

A Relentless Solution Focus (RSF) mindset is your ability to stay focused on solutions, especially in the face of adversity. Dr. Selk has identified one common thread among high performers and that is their ability to keep their focus on solutions instead of problems. It is this focus on solutions that drives these superstar levels of success and happiness.

For personal development trainer and renowned high-performance coach Brendon Burchard, high performance is “succeeding above and beyond standard norms over the long term.” He goes on to say that people with a high-performance mindset have what he calls an uncommon clarity about three specific things:

• Who they are
• What they desire
• How they plan to perform and interact with others

However, more than just “getting things done,” high performers make a significant impact on their organization. They can help maximize their team’s potential, cultivate a culture of innovation, and are known to go above and beyond when it comes to achieving their organization’s goals and objectives. 

As organizations face complex, evolving challenges, cultivating a high-performance mindset can help you grow, achieve greater success, and gain a strategic advantage. 

Why High Performance Matters 

Whether you’re an individual aspiring for personal growth or an organization that wants to make an impact, high performance allows you to become your best and excel beyond what you’re normally capable of. 

In the Workplace

In organizations, developing a high-performance culture can set you apart, create a positive work environment, and encourage innovation and creativity among your employees. Because you’re consistently at peak performance, you’re more likely to achieve your goals and objectives. This sustained drive can help you accomplish more and unlock new opportunities for growth. 

Personal Growth and Development

Adopting a high-performance mindset pushes you to do better. You’re more likely to find ways to improve yourself by developing your expertise or learning new skills. 

Enhanced Well-Being

According to award-winning psychologist and author Gethin Nadin, high performance is “high well-being.” If you want to become a high performer, you must first focus on your well-being and happiness. 

Within an organization, for example, you and your employees must recognize that “well-being is a shared responsibility,” shares Hays Head of Wellbeing Hannah Pearsall. As an employer or leader, you’re responsible for creating conditions that encourage your team to make positive choices and ensuring that their job isn’t detrimental to their health. For employees, meanwhile, their duty is to figure out what’s important to them and what their well-being drivers (positive and negative) are. 

If you’re ready to move beyond average and lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose, Upwyse is here to help. Using evidence-based tools like the Genos® Emotional Intelligence assessments and the Leadership Circle Profile® (LCP), we coach leaders and teams to build the mindset and habits of true high performers—rooted in well-being and lasting success.

👉 Get in touch today to explore how Upwyse can unlock your full potential and elevate your leadership impact.