The Sixth High Performance Habit

There are a total of six habits in Brendon Burchard's "High Performance Habits". They go into how to focus, maintain, reason, work, and uplift but the last habit may be the most important one of all. You may all have the theoretical knowledge after reading the book or my chapter by chapter overview, but this last chapter focuses on the reason you study: to take action. Burchard calls this habit: courage.

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The Struggle is Real

Rarely does anything go exactly as planned, from "where do you see yourself in 5 years?" to "what do I need from the grocery store?" You know that you need to do something and you know that you have an idea of the result. The road to success isn't a straightaway and it isn't paved. There are potholes and maybe even sinkholes but these obstacles are never graves unless you choose them to be. Burchard says that you shouldn't be grieved with obstacles. According to him, these hiccups are a catalyst to encourage your growth. You should face them with zeal and know that there is a better you on the other side and that you are one step closer to success when you meet them. It is your reaction to adversity that will determine how far you will go. Obstacles are unknown but to be expected and like a game, a book, or a movie, it's after going through the hardship that you find your "happily ever after." So when you're in the thick of it, as often or as long as it may be, remember that you're getting that much closer to your goal.

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Be Honest with Yourself

This section was for me one of the most inspiring of the whole book. It's about living your truth. Like everything else in the book, you probably already heard a version of this somewhere. The reason I like Burchard's take is because of some quotes that he throws in.

"As far as I can judge, not too much good can be done without disturbing something or somebody." - Edward Blake

No more walking on eggshells. This whole political correctness movement and high sensitivity of modern society will filter out high performers that only care about winning. You can't refuse to take action because of potentially making someone else feel bad. If you are hungry, be hungry, and act like it. As long as your actions aren't malevolent, hurt feelings based on your success may simply be someone else's problem. There's a time and place to take others into consideration but when it comes to getting to where you need to go, allow no compromises. Burchard describes the faux pas of minimizing yourself. Why would you put yourself down to the benefit of another that does not care about you? It's rough, but sometimes people are happy when they are up and you are down and misery loves company. Some people are simply envious that you had the courage they lacked in taking action and will throw discouragement your way. Do not let that happen.

"No one can quiet you without your permission. No one can minimize your self-image but you. And no one can open you up and release your full power but you." - Brendon Burchard

When you are honest with yourself, you exude authenticity. This practice alone will attract the right people, repel the nonfactors, and allow you to communicate effectively since you wouldn't have to filter yourself to fit within a self-imposed norm. Respect and courtesy are a given, and so is at least considering the feedback from established authority, but as you try to escape your current circle of interpersonal relationships, keep in mind that you must not slow your growth and the realization of your truest self for anyone else's sake.

Is There Anyone Else?

It may be said that we are braver and fight harder for others. This is the reason the last section on courage goes into talking about having courage for those we can help. We've all seen clips when an everyday mom or dad does some heroic thing to protect their kids. They can move with crazy reactions times and find brute strength. It's love that allows those feats to happen. Burchard says that his research supports that we tend to have more to give to others. High performers are also involved with the people within their reach. If you find something or someone besides yourself to fight for, you can even fight harder. It's like a strength, drawn on the accountability that you carry in avoiding letting others down. The moment someone's benefit depends on your results you give your all.

Be Brave

It turns out you don't need to jump off of a cliff to be brave. The way Burchard describes courage deals more with being able to act steadfastly towards your goal. There are an infinite number of detractors and excuses to veer off the path, but the way "High Performace Habits" puts it, showing courage is having the grit to be faithful to your journey - obstacles and all.