Category Archives for Sports Teams & Athletes

Come Out of Your Shell

“You’re suppose to shine brighter.” – Raj Gavurla

When performance coaching there are reasons why people don’t consistently perform well.  Although we may do something excellent, sometimes we don’t know what makes it excellent.  Here are tips to help you know how to perform and to make it easier for you to deliver better results.

1.  Mentally Prepare and Debrief

There are so many people asking too much of themselves.  What do I mean?

 Examples:

Winging a Presentation

By actually investing time and really looking at the words, how it sounds, and your body movements you can gain tremendous appreciation for the art of speaking and improve your communication skills.  The most essential skill we have is our ability to communicate.  We communicate when we speak, write, present, and perform.  One of the best ways to learn is through self-awareness when you see someone else doing it well.  It will take time for you to learn how to become more appreciative, however, as you do learn to pay attention you’ll start to build your knowledge base of communication skills.  Then, apply them to your work. Look into hiring a presentation skills coach.

Not preparing for a conference call

By preparing ahead of time you’ll know how to start a call and take it to productive completion.  Put a structure to your call.  Some helpful questions to prepare:

1.  What has been happening with this person?

2.  What is the most important thing we need to discuss?

3.  What steps are needed to make progress?

4.  How does each of us come out ahead?

Making a sales call without going through how to respond to prospects needs, wants, sensitivities, and concerns

This is why sales people experience fear and do not feel comfortable selling.  When you are discovering and offering real value you are being helpful.  Prospects and clients want this and with your help you can solve their needs.  If you can’t help or solve their need, then refer them to someone else.

Scheduling too many meetings back to back not giving you ample time to refocus and prepare

Keep in mind you want quality productivity not super productivity.  With quality you feel a sense of accomplishment.  With super productivity you’re in a rat race.

Not asking the right question 

We are in dynamic times requiring adaptability and agility.  Ask the right question and you’ll get the answers you need to be helpful and make wiser decisions.  During your research you might think it’s obvious what they need, however, until you actually have a conversation you will not know the best solution.  After delivering excellent results, debrief to know what made it so.  Sometime we do things excellently, however, we don’t have the knowledge of what is being done to make it come across as excellent.

This happens a lot when presenting or performing.  For example, while performing I asked someone afterwards what makes that line funny.  I don’t mean to funny.  Their response was the way I dead pan it.  That was what made it funny.  Now I have an expanded knowledge base I can use at the appropriate time.  There are countless examples like this one.  When you are skilled at using them your results will be better.  You’ll shine brighter and have a robust repertoire of skills.

3 TOP PEAK PERFORMANCE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ARTICLES FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 8, 2014

Each week I read a number of peak performance and entrepreneurial articles from various online resources. Here are my top three picks this week. I have added my comment about each article and would like to hear what you think too.

STRATEGY Ten Ways to Spot an Opportunity
Finding ways to compete differently is hard. This will make it easier.
BY PAUL B. BROWN

Once you come up with a promising insight, there is no guarantee that success will follow, of course.
You need to turn a great insight into a thriving business, which is incredibly difficult.
But with that throat-clearing out of the way, you can apply 10 simple tests to discover an idea worth pursuing.
Read More

My Comment: Excellent approaches for growth strategies

Regain Focus Right Now With This 15-Minute Exercise
Feeling distracted? Here are 5 simple steps to quickly get you back on point.
BY KEVIN DAUM

People are often multitasking today, but sometimes it just becomes overload, and then distraction can overwhelm you. If you are doing work that requires concentration, you will need to regain your focus to complete the job. Read More

My Comment: Keeping a notebook works. Learn how to get in your zone

7 Foods That Help Boost Your Mood
By: CARINA WOLFF

When stressed out or feeling down, it’s usually not our first instinct to turn to food as a cure. Many of us have heard the famous quote by Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food,” and this philosophy also holds true when it comes to boosting your mood. Food plays a huge role in our physical health, but it surprisingly affects our mental health as well. Read More

My Comment: Consistency and variety are needed

3 TOP PEAK PERFORMANCE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ARTICLES FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 24, 2014

Each week I read a number of peak performance and entrepreneurial articles from various online resources. Here are my top three picks this week. I have added my comment about each article and would like to hear what you think too.

How to Develop a Business Growth Strategy
There are many ways to guide a business through a period of expansion.
BY DARREN DAHL

Turning a small business into a big one is never easy. The statistics are grim. Research suggests that only one-tenth of 1 percent of companies will ever reach $250 million in annual revenue. An even more microscopic group, just 0.036 percent, will reach $1 billion in annual sales. Read More

My Comment: To keep your interest stimulated during your growth phase have an idea/initiative in development to stimulate your entrepreneurial thinking.

How Do Athletes Get ‘In the Zone’ of Peak Performance?
Dan Peterson

After a great performance, athletes have described a feeling of being “in the zone.” In this state, they feel invincible, as if the game slowed down, the crowd noise fell silent and they achieved an incredible focus on their mission. What is this Superman-like state and how can players enter it when they most need it? Read More

My Comment: Great article. Keep track of each item in a notebook and you will peak perform.

Heed and Harness Your Introverted Customers
Sure, high-tech bells and whistles are important. But when it comes to product design, empathy for your customers’ emotions should come first.
BY ILAN MOCHARI

Designing products for your customers’ emotional needs is hardly a radical concept. Read More

My Comment: Ease of use makes a product/service stand out

3 TOP PEAK PERFORMANCE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ARTICLES FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 27, 2014

Each week I read a number of peak performance and entrepreneurial articles from various online resources. Here are my top three picks this week. I have added my comment about each article and would like to hear what you think too.

Stop Managing Millennials: Manage The Individual
By James O. Rogers

By 2015, Millennials will represent the largest generational cohort in the workforce. If you believe some of the leading news sources, this will be the apocalypse. According to them, Millennials are strange creatures that do not play by the old rules of the workplace. Read more

My  Comment: By doing so you will optimize performance.

38 Quotes To Help You Become A Change Agent
By John Brandon

In business, your ability to adapt and change is often what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who are stuck in obscurity. Read more

My  Comment: Positive change happens and is a necessity for advancement

How to Break a Bad Habit (And Replace It With a Good One)
By James Clear

Bad habits interrupt your life and prevent you from accomplishing your goals. They jeopardize your health — both mentally and physically. And they waste your time and energy. Read more

My  Comment: You’ll have a better life.

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Email him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

Did You Experience The World Series Game 7 “Zone”?

The ” zone” pitching performance by Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants was exemplary.  On any level, especially the seventh game of the World Series, the zone is an amazing experience to be a part of.   As it unfolded you watched and felt something special was happening.  Although I wasn’t playing, as a spectator I experienced “the zone”.  I felt effortless in watching, history was being written, time was a nonfactor (it seemed still), and my surroundings were in slow motion.  It was as if I was in the stadium.

Being a performance coach there are a few “zone” bytes to gain and apply the knowledge from the experience towards your performance.

1.  Although you don’t know Madison’s routine or thought process throughout the day, adrenaline, anxiety, and motivation are a part of preparing for the seventh game of the World Series.  This is the time for well-timed motivation.

2.  When called upon, he accessed his “zone” and pitched a masterpiece.

3.  As he and his teammates recognized what was happening nothing needed to be said.  There was no way to make it better.

4.  Before the final inning his catcher gave him the emotional and cognitive support needed (not a time for motivation).  The game was on the line.  His catcher went over the approach with him for the next three batters and Madison executed.

5.  Madison responded to adversity (fielding error) with the tying run on third and the winning run at the plate.

6.  With poise and composure he threw his high fastball to get ahead in the count.

7.  The batter popped up the final pitch.  Celebration time!

Although you probably won’t play in the World Series, gain and apply the knowledge for you to set a personal best record.

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

3 TOP PEAK PERFORMANCE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ARTICLES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

Each week I read a number of peak performance and entrepreneurial articles from various online resources. Here are my top three picks this week. I have added my comment about each article and would like to hear what you think too.

The #1 Secret to Reaching Your Peak Performance Level
By Mohamed Tohamil

By the time you finish reading this article you’ll discover the #1 secret to reaching your peak performance level.

It has been proven again and again that all successful people have used this secret at some point in their lives, and that this secret is responsible for generating successful people and financial giants each and every day. Read more

My  Comment:  Mentoring allows you to create something greater than you initially started with. Not just copy someone’s past success.

Focused Priorities Fuel Leadership Success
By Pat Heydlauff

What are your leadership responsibilities – engaging the workforce, hiring, acquisitions, financial planning, visioneering, innovation? Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric, believed he had only three things to do as a leader: choose the right people, allocate the right funds and transmit ideas from division to division at the speed of light. Read more

My  Comment:  This article can also be applied to entrepreneurial leadership or corporate entrepreneurship

7 Questions To Ask Yourself Every Day For Peak Performance
By Jason Brick

The life of an entrepreneur is hard. It demands your time and energy, and it often torpedoes relationships and other aspects of your life outside of work. It pulls you in so many directions at once that it’s hard to find a clear path. Read more

My  Comment:  Knowing your why (relationship between motivation and inspiration) is essential for you to thrive

3 TOP PEAK PERFORMANCE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ARTICLES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

Each week I read a number of peak performance and entrepreneurial articles from various online resources. Here are my top three picks this week. I have added my comment about each article and would like to hear what you think too.

1 Weekly Habit That Will Push You to Peak Performance
By LAURA GOLEMAN

In 15 minutes a week, you can get closer to your optimal work life.
Most of us have the desire to be high-performing. The alternative is boredom and less personal pride. Entrepreneurs especially, with their names on the sign, aim high. Read more

My Comment:  This article really gets to the importance of asking the right questions.  In anything you pursue, instead of reaching a comfort zone or boredom ask the right questions to set a record (your personal best or a world record).  I believe health and having the tools to set records are the keys to living a great life.

Peak Performance In The Workplace
By DANIEL GOLEMAN 

THE old joke — How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice — is getting a scientific spin. Researchers are finding an unexpected potency from deliberate practice in world-class competitions of all kinds, including chess matches, musical recitals and sporting events.  Read more

My  Comment:  Training is important, however, be sure to pick up on the importance of motivation and the need to perform entrepreneurial to eliminate patterns that are causing stagnation that once worked, create breakthroughs, and eliminate boredom.

The New Corporate Ethic
By BILL COLE, MS, MA

Corporations today are committed to helping organizations empower their people with high-performance work styles. People who are identified as peak performers, even in high stress environments have mastered the skills top achievers in all disciplines possess. We share the secrets of renewing oneself in a high-stress world.

In a fast-paced and ever-changing workplace, we are all concerned about stress, burnout and how to achieve peak levels of performance on an ongoing basis. We propose the Sports Metaphor to help your people move away from burnout, stress and chaos toward peak performance.

Part of the answer to reversing declining levels of performance lies in empowering individuals at all levels of the organization to effectively combat stress and to rise above daily challenges to strive toward self-mastery, which ultimately leads to organizational wellness. All levels of the organization can then learn how to partner to create individual and organizational health.  Read more

My comment:  Towards the end this article has one of the best descriptions of being “in the zone” (feels effortless, everything is in slow motion, you accomplish spectacular, great, wow, amazing, etc.! )

Value of Consistency

There are several reasons one succeeds in a specific goal, project, or endeavor.  Think of a success you’ve had.  Can you write the key components for success on this goal, project, or endeavor?  What made it work and enjoyable?  

Did you list the word “consistency”?  The value of consistency produces tremendous benefits towards your success. After attending a leadership team building session, I noticed as the team members progressed through the stations the ability to work together became easier.  Why?

Initially, we had to discover the best approach to take.  As the day went on we honed our approach to the following:

1.  Someone in the group suggested an initial strategy and if it was good we used it.

2.   We listened to ideas.  This was essential to improving our initial strategy.  Do you listen to ideas in your company to improve performance?

3.  We went with the best idea(s) to create a better strategy.

4.  Then we had to perform as a team and individually to achieve better results.

5.  We “consistently” applied this approach.  Once we realized we had a methodology it became easier to accomplish our goals.

By the end of the day, we realized the value of consistency.  Did you list consistency as a key component to your success?

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

Present Yourself

“Consistently raise the bar in at least one thing daily.” – Raj Gavurla

To improve performance consistently raise the bar in at least one thing daily. By doing so you’ll grow. Before you can grow you need to improve performance. However, you have improved performance and are wondering why am I not growing?

One key objective is the ability to present yourself. Although you have a great service and/or product, people do not just knock at your door until you present yourself. How well you present yourself determines how much you receive and how many people tap you for your services and products.

Examples of presenting yourself:
1. Your appearance
2. Interview
3. Anytime you speak (conversation, presentation (keynote, workshop, facilitation, seminar, video, coaching, acting, etc.), your tone, what you convey
4. Anytime you write (blog, book, website, article, speech)
5. Advocating for innovation (advancements)

So, think of one way you can raise the bar in presenting yourself. Take action to make it happen. More people will buy your services and/or products. You’re worth it.

My example: I worked on my speaker preview video. You’ll see I’ve raised the bar in presenting myself. I will continue to hone and refine my ability to present myself as should you. Watch the video.

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!

Write It Down

“Work on higher goals.” – Raj Gavurla

All aspects of life become better when we decide to live a better life.  Work on higher goals to keep things interesting, fun, and enjoyable.  For sure as you make progress regardless of how fast or slow you will reach points of stagnation. When this happens increase motivation and inspiration to look for additional intelligence to ignite your progress.

Innovate in all aspects of life by working on higher goals.  Writing a blog is challenging at times because I’m not sure what to write about.  I cover a variety of topics focused on entrepreneurial leadership in all aspects of life, optimal performance (the zone or nirvana), and living a better life.

I’m writing down my future postings.  This means they are out of my notebook and head and on the canvas.  This also means I have discretion of the order and can extemporaneously add topics.  It also means you can comment or e-mail me at raj@rajgavurla.com to write about a specific challenge, topic, or concern of yours.

How To Motivate and Inspire Your Employees?
Presenting Yourself
You’ve Been Diagnosed With A Disease Now What?
Stop Self-Defeating and How?
Handling Investors
Handling Negativity
Performance Tools
Working With Your Healthcare Provider
Self-Care and Self-Respect
How to Innovate?
Keeping A Notebook
How You Can Help Owners Bring You Into The Conversation to Maximize Impact?
5 Steps to Live Great Dreams
Breaking Through Barriers
Communication In The Workplace
Hone and Refine Skills
Be The Best for Them
Using Thoughts, Words, and Action To Propel Success
Come From A Position of Strength
Building Relationships
Where To Find The Best Ideas

Remember, to comment or e-mail me at raj@rajgavurla.com to write about a specific challenge, topic, or concern of yours.

Are you planning a meeting for this year or a kickoff meeting for early next year? Book Raj to speak to energize and inspire your team, organizaton or corporation to consistently perform at the top of our game! Call him at 864.569.2315 or contact him at raj@rajgavurla.com with your date, time and location to book your date today!