The last couple of weeks has been an exciting, and testing time, in the Cairns household. Mike's school has had the Ofsted inspectors in!
They were given the news of their arrival last Friday and told inspections would take place this Wednesday, not much notice to make sure everything is running as it should be. Any teachers among you will appreciate the fear of impending doom that news of this sort often brings, surprisingly not so for the faculty team at Mike's school. Rather, an incredible magic manifested which prompts todays' newsletter.
More on our subject of 'Raising your game' later, but first:
A very warm welcome to our new subscribers and a big hello to long time pals who haven't heard from me in a while.
September has been an incredible month for us so far, with a thoroughly enjoyable and productive blend of teaching, coaching, team building, prefect training, speaking engagements and networking. Our Vitality workshops, netwalks and training sessions are back in full swing after the summer break, more details below.
For now I'll sign off and leave you with today's offering for those of you you might be inspired to raise your game.
Raise your game and reap the benefits!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have you ever had the overwhelming feeling that you couldn't do something, that it was beyond you but then decided, perhaps against the odds, to to it anyway and, by some small miracle, actually succeeded? If so you will have an idea of the magic that happens when you choose to raise your game.
What is raising your game?
Carpe Diem
Going for it
Unleashing your potential
Doing what you're really capable of
Going the extra mile
Stepping up
All these things and more. It's the conscious choice, and powerful act, of being who you truly are, in a situation that demands more of you than the simple every day.
The effects of raising your game:
As Mike has so powerfully experienced in this last week, the benefits of making a choice to raise your game, whether individually or as part of a team are far reaching.
Challenge is essential to growth. It is human nature to want to strive to be shaped and defined by our experience. Studies of biology and neurology show us clearly how our brains and bodies positively responds to stretch of this kind.
Part of raising your game means fully living into the skills and talents that you have and using them to their fullest potential. The creativity, focus and flexibility required can be incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling. Certainly for Mike this week, i'ts been thoroughly enjoyable to have had lessons where he is getting even more from himself and from his pupils.
It's not always necessary to see the immediate results of your efforts on the end goal, but rather the action of stepping up to the plate can be hugely rewarding in itself. Pushing yourself to achieve, with a clear focus, starts a wave of momentum that builds. The increased motivation that results can dramatically improve productivity. The natural progressions of setting and expecting higher standards changes the nature of the game.
The action of raising your game causes events, and others, to respond in powerful ways and often affords you the ability to see possibilities that before didn't seem to exist. You only have to look at the success stories of some of the worlds great entrepreneurs to see this in action, not to mention heroes of past and present in the fields of medicine, diplomacy, science and others.
When the choice is made by a whole team with inspired leadership the yield is multiplied. Increased team spirit and cohesion further improves performance and deepens levels of trust, expectation and positivity.
Catalysts to raising your game:
External pressure. In the example of Mikes school, Ofsted provided a spark to ignite the passion for performance within the team.
You may well find that you respond well to outside influences. Seeing how others have excelled can also provide valuable fuel to the fire. The current pressure you may be feeling due to the shifting economic climate could be seen, with the right perspective, as pure rocket fuel!
A major set back, coupled with the desire to rise every time we fall and out perform previous attempts is catalyst for some of us. To do that which you think you cannot, builds personal character like very little else.
Internal desire. Perhaps a more positive instigator, is a compelling and clearly defined vision. If you are someone guided by your own instincts, measuring your success on the level of your personal satisfaction and fulfillment, this can be the most powerful key.
Practical steps to raising your game:
There are many possible approaches, here's one that you can work with quickly and simply for a motivational boost.
Consider an area of your life that's important to you at the moment.
Your work, your relationship with your family and friends, your life in the community or social group, your health, your finances, whatever springs to mind.
Let's take a leaf out of Stephen Covey's book (The Seven Habits to be precise) and begin with the end in mind.
Imagine it's a few years hence. You are asked by someone you respect about that important part of your life. They are curious to hear the events and, with eager willingness, you are happy to share it with them.
What would you like to be able to tell them?
What accomplishments would you be most proud of?
What is the feeling you would most like to have about it?
What's the legacy that you would like to leave?
From this simple dip into the future you will now have a clearer idea of your driving values in relation to that part of your life. These are the things towards which you are guided and hint at your potential.
Orientate yourself towards an outcome
With these in mind, give yourself a clear goal for the next days, few weeks or months. Something that moves you towards the fulfillment of those things that you have identified as being important in this area of your life. You may have already begun with a specific goal in mind, if so;
Assess your current strategy
Look at all the ways you are currently working towards your goal.
Consider your actions, your mindset, your network, your skills, talents and other resources. Determine how much time and how much energy you are currently expending, particularly on those things that are not in the direction of what you truly desire. Make a brief note of your thoughts.
Be sure to list those things that are currently working for you.
Identify the key skills and talents you have, and those that are required to achieve success in your goal. Make a simple list of all those you can think of.
Ask yourself, 'if I was fully utilising my skills and talents, what would be different, about my approach, my choices, my attitude and my results?'
If you were already the person that you will become what would be different?
Set yourself a challenge. Not simply to achieve a goal, but to excel beyond current imaginings. What would be the hallmarks of true expertise/genius/creativity/compassion/success? Choose whatever criteria works for you.
Give yourself a taste of what it would be like. Imagine, in full technicolour detail, living a life more motivated, more inspired, more passionate and more dedicated to succeed in your chosen goal.
Make a conscious choice. Knowing the rewards it will bring you and those around you, decide, consciously that you are worth the effort. Once we have truly made a decision great power is unleashed and the impossible becomes achievable.
Recognise your current worth. You already have the resources to achieve and live life in this way. If you've been feeling demotivated up until now, its likely that you have allowed yourself, or been pressured into, sitting back and not applying your skills to their full potential. That can change in this moment, if you make the choice.
Realise that you have a responsibility, to be the very best that you can be. To inspire others by your example, to fulfill your commitments not just to others, but to yourself. Great things happen when people are moved to step up. Who knows what you can bring to the world just by raising your game a little!
Take action - of course, this is the true hallmark of someone who has raised their game. They take new, quick, inspired and relevant action in direct pursuit of their ultimate aim.
Comments