Achieving peak mental performance creates a host of benefits for your professional career. It can make you more creative, more productive and increase your overall level of efficiency. All of which improve your own personal equity and can make you a “highly valued employee. Here are some strategies to help you reach your peak performance mentally.
Have a Positive Attitude
Being optimistic does more than simply make you “feel good” from a mental standpoint. Several scientific studies have found a correlation between positivity and improved performance. Research from Brandeis University using sophisticated eye-tracking technology found “that positive emotions broaden people’s visual attention.”
Another study from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University “learned that when people negotiate complex bargains, positivity made a significant difference resulting in more successful negotiation.”
The point here is that having a positive attitude can improve your cognitive functioning and make you more effective at your job. Try to get into the habit of adopting an optimistic mindset and look for the good in things.
Attack the Problem – Be Proactive and Not Reactive
In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey lists proactivity as the number one habit. This shows the importance of being on the offense and maintaining a proactive stance. By taking charge of situations, it shows you have a say in what happens and how you respond to things. However, being reactive often means, “playing the victim card” and a general lack of empowerment.
An article on AZ Central explains how “Being proactive can relieve stress, improve your health, win you accomplishments and contribute to your sense of control and direction over your life. Reactivity increases stress, reduces effective decision-making and can lead to a sense of powerlessness over events in your life.”
This goes to show the impact being proactive can have on your mental performance and overall career progression.
Write Down Your Goal and Figure Out How to Get There
Another simple way to elevate your mental performance is to get serious about reaching your goals. One of the most effective ways to go about this is to write down your definitive goal and break it down step-by-step. This turns it into manageable steps and acts like a “blueprint.” All of a sudden, an overwhelming goal becomes much more attainable.
Needless to say, there are multiple benefits of reaching your peak mental performance. By applying these strategies, you’ll have concrete ways of optimizing your cognitive functioning and maximizing your potential.
Looking for job opportunities in your area? Contact Axiom Staffing Group today.