[PRESSURE SERIES] MISTAKE #4: OPERATING AT YOUR MAXIMUM, NOT YOUR OPTIMUM

How many times have you read a profile of someone’s success that details the extreme measures they take in pursuit of their goal? How few hours they sleep, how many years they’ve gone without vacation, how they subsisted on Velveeta and Spam sandwiches…

Welcome to the “no pain, no gain” bravado of Western culture, with high-achievers leading the charge, shifting into overdrive when the pressure is on. Often operating on sheer willpower, they push as hard as they can for as long as they can – sacrificing their health and any semblance of work-life balance – until inevitably, they crash and burn.

ADDICTED TO STRESS

Sure, the adrenaline high of pursuing a major goal is invigorating (and, in fact, studies show that some people literally get hooked on the rush of feeling stressed, which stimulates hormones like adrenaline, DHEA and cortisol). You may secretly get off on people marveling at your tolerance for the extreme : “You’re crazy, man. How do you do it?” Or you may think you have to push yourself to the limit to prove your worth. That “no pain, no gain” thing.

Much as you’d like to think you’re an exception, operating at your maximum – going full out – for an extended period of time is simply not sustainable.

Inevitably, the lack of sleep, poor nutrition and elevated cortisol levels lead to burnout, both physical and mental. And each time you hit empty, recovery takes longer and your maximum level diminishes.

WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE

Jim Loehr, founder of The Human Performance Institute and author of The Power of Full Engagement says:

“If you are going to be extraordinary, there have to be times when you put the pedal all the way to the floor. That’s when you get the greatest return on your energy investment. You’ve got to give 100 percent of your energy to get your genius to surface.”

To do that, however, you have to be operating at your optimum, setting a pace that’s sustainable for the longterm and most favorable to achieving the results you want.

That means you have to manage your most precious resource, your energy: to go full out when necessary but to do it on a full tank of gas and then take the time to rest and recover.

With the hyped-up expectations of the modern world breathing down your neck, choosing a sustainable pace requires discipline and conviction. It’s not easy to go against the tide. It takes discipline and self-awareness and sensitivity to your own needs.

WHAT TO DO

1. Sprint, not marathon. Every 90-120 minutes, take a break from what you’re doing. When you work in sprint mode, you build up your capacity for recovery and come back stronger. Stepping away from the computer screen is good, taking a few flights of stairs is even better and going for a walk in fresh air is best.

2. Get more sleep. Seven to eight hours is ideal but I’ll be realistic: start by going to bed 15 minutes earlier.

3. Use nutrition as fuel. Pump up your meals with protein-rich, brain-friendly foods such as blueberries, krill oil, avocados and beans.

+++++++

You’ve got one lesson left. Tomorrow I’ll be back with some tips on why you can’t take it all so seriously.

See you then,

Renita

3 Comments

  1. Leondas Los May 10, 2012 at 7:08 am

    Good advice simply conveyed. Need to practice it more.
    Kind regards
    L

    Reply
  2. Faye Leslie January 26, 2015 at 12:25 pm

    Thanks for the tips and I have been eating protein and fruit shakes in morning. Try to eat good meals and getting enough sleep. Since retirement I have gone back to reading, painting, and starting a small business in Praise Dancing and scarve dancing for children Birthday Parties. Yoga I try to do everyday and joined a class.

    I also walk my dog on a daily basis.. I think night time I have a real problem with but trying to focus on reading… I need to join a group of people to. Get out more at night and will be taking a class in art in February. I use to play bridge but haven’t played that in years. I think it would help to interact with people on a daily basis.

    Reply
    1. Renita April 16, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      Hello Faye, my apologies for the delayed reply. This was buried deep inside my website. Happy to hear you’re taking care of yourself. It may take effort to find people to interact with but it’s worth it, when they’re on the same wavelength. Let me know how I can be of support.

      Best,
      Renita

      Reply

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.