Peak Focus Optimized Performance Formula - We developed this e-book to provide you and your team with an easy way to not only measure your level of performance, but to easily identify opportunities to elevate your level of performance - and then do something about it!
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“Without continual growth
and progress, such words as
improvement, achievement, and
success have no meaning.”
- Benjamin Franklin
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“Continuous improvement is better
than delayed perfection.”
- Mark Twain
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction 5
The Formula 6
(Ability x Activity x Aim)Passion = Performance level
The Components - (the really short version) 6
Why the Trio Walked an Icy Mile 7
The Components - (the longer version) 8
How to Use This Formula 10
What if One of the Scores is 0? 12
The Real Magic 13
The Formula Worksheet: TASK 14
Questions to Uncover Potential Improvement
The Formula Worksheet: PERSONAL ASSESSMENT 16
Questions to Uncover Potential Improvement
The Formula Worksheet: TEAM / COMPANY 18
Questions to Uncover Potential Improvement
Next Steps 21
A Quick Note on Exponents 22
About Peak Focus 23
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Introduction
“When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur….
Don’t look for the big, quick improvement. Seek the small
improvement one day at a time. That’s the only way it happens –
and when it happens, it lasts.”
- John Wooden
Achieving optimized performance is not a destination but a continuous journey. By
deliberately elevating our level of performance in everything we do, we get one step closer
to achieving optimized performance, a crucial step in reaching the greatest level of success
possible.
You may be familiar with the philosophy known as Kaizen, created in Japan following World
War II. The word Kaizen means “continuous improvement”. It comes from the Japanese
words “kai” which means “change” or “to correct” and “zen” which means “good”.
Kaizen is based on making changes anywhere that improvements can be made. Western
philosophy may be summarized as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Kaizen philosophy is to
“do it better, make it better, and improve it even if it isn’t broken, because if we don’t, we
can’t compete with those who do.”
Kaizen is a long-term approach that systematically seeks to achieve small, incremental and
constant changes.
The Peak Focus Optimized Performance Formula was developed to provide you with an easy
way to not only measure your level of performance, but to easily identify opportunities to
elevate your level of performance - and then do something about it!
This book will walk you through the four components that compose the formula:
Ability Activity Aim Passion
We believe that these four components make up your performance level. And with a
goal of optimizing your performance level, it’s important to increase the level of these
four components to net a greater outcome. We will demonstrate how to achieve small,
incremental and constant changes that can produce dramatic results.
Optimized performance really is a special feeling - one you’ll never forget.
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Peak Focus
Optimized Performance Formula
(Ability x Activity x Aim)Passion = Performance level
The Components -
(the really short version)
Ability
The combination of hard and soft skills for any person, team or organization.
(What do I know and what can I do?)
Activity
The actual use of hard and soft skills.
(What am I doing?)
Aim
The focus, or reason to use hard and soft skills.
(Why, exactly, am I doing this?)
Passion
The fire in the belly for the combination of using an ability through an activity toward
a particular aim.
(How fired up am I to be doing this? Flip side: What five other things would I prefer
to be doing?)
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Why the trio walked
an icy mile
In case you somehow missed it, in January 2011 Atlanta was caught in ice-induced
suspended animation for about a week. For a full six days, you really couldn’t take more
than a step or two outside without risking a hard fall to the frozen ground. So, what
would entice three colleagues (including me) to walk at least a full super-slippery mile in
subfreezing temperatures to gather at a coffeehouse?
Perhaps the end tells the story better than the beginning.
Near the end of our time together, one of the three, Lewis1, declared, “I hate meetings. I
really do. And, I just sat through a 3+ hour one and feel more energized now than when I
got here.” Michelle2, the third in this wacky walk-on-ice-to-meet trio, thought about it and
then agreed. Hey, I’ll admit I all but skipped home!
So, what on earth happened here?
Was it the topic? Yes, it was exciting, but even the most intriguing of ideas doesn’t make
this happen. Was it seeing our colleagues after being cooped up for days? Sure, that was
part of it also. But we also happily greeted other old friends while at the coffeehouse, so
that wasn’t the full answer. Was it what we accomplished? Sure, that contributed as well.
(Ability x Activities x Aim) Passion
= Performance level
Looking at the formula above, we can actually calculate the answer!
All three of us brought unique, substantial hard and soft skills to the table = Ability. We
decided in advance what we would discuss (and we even did our homework before getting
there!) = Activities. We were very clear in our desired outcome and why = Aim. And, we’re
all quite spirited about the topic = Passion.
So, if our skills were a 7 out of 10, and our work performed was 7 out of 10 and our sense
of focus was a 7 out of 10, then the first part would be 7 x 7 x 7 = 343. Not so bad out of a
possible 1000, but the magic kicked in with the level of passion we felt about what we were
discussing. That was certainly a 3 out of 3, so 343 raised to the power of 3 = 40,353,607
(343 x 343 x 343 = 40,353,607). Now, that’s a power number!
So, while Atlanta was in an ice-induced suspended animation, we were transported to a
very special place - a place where time stands still, amazing ideas flow freely, much is
accomplished and, instead of feeling drained, energy levels just keep building.
We spent time in the wonderful world of optimized performance. You can, too.
1 You can learn about Lewis Perkins and his work by visiting http://www.lewisperkins.com/
2 Learn more about Michelle Morgan and her mission in life by visiting http://atlanta.the-hub.net/public/ or
check her out on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/michellecmorgan
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The Components -
(the longer version)
Ability
Generally considered the capacity to do something or effect an end result, your hard and
soft skills fall in this category. Hard skills relate to your level of education, experience and
overall “eligibility” related to a specific task or job. The ability to effectively communicate,
collaborate and innovate are the core soft skills related to ability. Typically the slowest for
improvement, it’s also the most lasting. Being a life-long learner is critical to long term
success, and critical to improving your ability over time.
“You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.”
- Zig Ziglar
Activity
If ability is the skill, activity is the tool you choose to use. It requires movement or exertion
of some form of power or energy. Sometimes physical, others only mental, applying what
you know is as important as knowing what to do. Knowledge without action won’t cut it. To
be most effective, your activities must match up with your ability (skills) and your aim.
“If you keep thinking about what you want to do or what you hope will
happen, you don’t do it, and it won’t happen.”
- Joe Dimaggio
Aim
In physics, focus is defined as the point at which scattered, bent rays of light finally meet.
It’s the bulls-eye of attention. But, aim isn’t restricted only to focus. It’s also related to
how closely your ability and activity line up with what you’re trying to achieve. Harmony,
resonance... many terms are used to describe the appropriate matching of skilled action and
reason.
“A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it.”
- unknown
Passion
Formally defined as any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, passion is the magical
energizer. If you are passionate about something, you’ll likely work tirelessly on it. Working
with passion is working from your core. Few things are more powerful magnifiers than
passion - you can’t help but feel it! You know when your work is aligned with your DNA.
Nothing else feels like that.
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A lack of passion is also a distinct feeling. It’s beyond a lack of interest. For most people, a
lack of passion about what you’re doing is like wearing a ball and chain.
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.
Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing,
and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.”
- Maya Angelou
Performance level
The combination of your abilities, your activities, your aim and your overall passion will
reveal your current performance level. Even a small change can often bring about a
significant increase in your effectiveness.
“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things
brought together.”
- Vincent Van Gogh
Optimized performance
What happens when you know exactly what to do, how to do it really well, and you do it
with zeal? That’s optimized performance. It’s not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill work ethic or
work product. It’s when you (and perhaps your team, company, community) are working in
a way that seems all but effortless, even downright fun! You’re “in the zone” and it shows!
Maximum optimized performance can only be achieved through the best of your ability,
totally focused and polished activity all performed in an environment of boundless energy
and a real sense of purpose.
“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s
rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
- Alexander Graham Bell
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How to Use
This Formula
This formula can be used in a number of ways. And, it’s quick and to the point.
Use it:
For what you’re doing at any given moment in your day - if you’re writing a
proposal or visiting with a client, you can gauge your own ability, activity, aim and
passion. By the way, it only works if you’re honest with yourself.
As an overall personal assessment - in your profession (or your volunteer
time, etc.), you can gauge your own ability, activity, aim and passion. If you’re
uncertain, ask someone who knows you well for input.
Company-wide level of optimized performance - do the assessment for each
person on your team, then take an average. It’s also very interesting to “graph”
the individual answers. That can be very telling indeed. You can also use the same
method to look across your entire company.
Component Score Range
Ability 0 - 10
Activity 0 - 10
Aim 0 - 10
Passion 0 - 3
An Example
Why is ability so important? Have you ever tried to do something you just were not well
equipped to do? Maybe you didn’t have the knowledge in a particular area. Maybe you just
couldn’t seem to communicate your idea to your team. Whatever the gap, it’s important to
recognize, and then stretch and grow. However, that growth usually comes through small
steps, not giant leaps. And, that’s okay. If we keep all the other variables at the same level,
we’ll see that even a small improvement in ability goes a long way. (If you’re curious why
we chose passion = 2 for our example, you’ll soon discover that answer!)
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Formula: Score : Comments
(Ability x Activities Performance level
x Aim) Passion
(3 x 5 x 5)2 = 5,625 Not remarkable for certain.
Note:
(75)2 =
75 x 75 = 5,625
(5 x 5 x 5)2 = 15, 625 Okay, now that’s a noticeable improvement
- about a three-fold jump, in fact. Just a
small increase in skills (hard and/or soft)
Note:
really can make a difference.
(125)2 =
125 x 125 = 15,625
(9 x 5 x 5)2 = 50,625 As you can see, becoming a life-long
learner, someone who cares about
improving their abilities, can really pay off.
Note:
(225)2 =
225 x 225 = 50,625
You can refer to the chart above as you consider the other components of the formula.
Why is activity so important? Even if a person (or company) has the ability to do
something, but does nothing or only some of what’s possible, the overall performance
suffers. Again, just as with our ability example above, a small increase in the appropriate
activities can make a big difference.
Why is aim so important? If we keep all the other variables at the same level, we’ll see that
even a small improvement in aim goes a long way. And, frankly, it’s one area most people
have difficulty. It’s also a systemic problem in many companies. Have you ever reached
the end of the day, exhausted yet you couldn’t really put your finger on anything you’d
accomplished? How about looking up and realizing a month has flown by and you’re still
working on the first items on your to-do list you made 30 days ago? Take the time to take a
hard look at your focus.
Okay, but why is passion an exponent? Why do we consider it to be so important? Let’s
take another look at the formula, this time changing only the exponent representing your
passion.
“One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.”
— E. M. Forster
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Formula: Score : Comments
(Ability x Activities Performance level
x Aim) Passion
(5 x 5 x 5)0 = 1 Why? Because any number raised to the
power of 0 is 1. Rather telling, wouldn’t
Note: you agree? Not much in the way of
(125) = 1
0
performance. Zero passion means trouble.
(5 x 5 x 5)1 = 125 Not remarkable for certain. Better than 1,
but not by a lot.
Note:
(125)1= 125
(5 x 5 x 5)2 = 15,625 Well, that’s a leap for sure. Being
moderately passionate about your task at
Note: hand, your professional life, etc. can be
(125)2= very powerful.
125 x 125 = 15,625
(5 x 5 x 5)3 = 1,953,125 Wow! Now you’re really on to something.
Being very passionate generally means
you can quickly get “in the zone” (or
Note:
maybe you are there most of the time!)
(125)3= and nothing will stop you. It’s a powerful
125 x 125 x 125 = feeling for sure.
1,953,125
Okay, admittedly the formula gives a bit more credit to passion than just 1:40 ratio (as in
the earlier quote by E.M. Forster), but there’s good reason why volumes upon volumes of
articles and books have been written on “follow your passion, the rest (happiness, success,
money...) will follow.” Arguably, there is no real leadership without passion - both for the
leader and for the followers! Passion is a magnifier. It’s a catalyst. With passion, we can take
even the most average of teams (ability, activity, aim) and do amazing things.
What if one of the scores is 0?
That’s a great question, and it really points out why being a 10 in ability -- qualified and
fully equipped to handle anything that you come across; being a 10 in activity -- working
until you’re exhausted and can’t think straight; but being a 0 in focus -- all over the place,
putting out fires, answering emails, handling interruptions... one thing after another -- being
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a zero in focus can tank your efforts. The same can be said about doing a thousand things,
none of which are really tied together. Working hard, but without a plan or a real definition
of success in mind? Does any of this sound familiar?
These all result in the same thing. Nothing. Zip. Zero. Focus isn’t optional. Planning isn’t
optional. Having a clear definition of success isn’t optional. Without aim, you’ll not even
come close to your potential.
The same is true for the most gifted, focused and completely passionate human walking
the planet. If you talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk - if you don’t actually do anything,
nothing gets accomplished. Inactivity is just as bad as being unfocused.
Here’s the great news. It’s correctable, just like aim! It’s a choice.
And both activity and aim can be improved instantly with the right tools!
The Real Magic
What happens when we increase ability, activity, aim and passion? That’s when the real
magic starts to happen; when we start to see the level of performance and achievement
really elevate! With enough of the right moves, it’s like putting a saddle on a rocket.
Optimized performance really is a special feeling - one you’ll truly never forget.
Make time to ask yourself the questions listed on the following pages.
There’s a set of questions for using the formula for a task, as an overall personal evaluation,
and another set for looking at a full team or company.
Get out a calculator and see where you are now, and what an incremental improvement can
do for you, your team, your company and your community.
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Peak Focus Optimized Performance Formula Worksheet
(Ability x Activities x Aim) Passion
= Performance level
TASK
Ability Activity Aim Passion Performance
<
X X =
(0-10) (0-10) (0-10) (0-3) Level
Current
<
X X =
Goal
<
X X =
Notes:
Questions to Uncover Potential Improvements
Ability
• Am I running into the same problem or obstacle over and over? If so, can I clearly
describe it?
• What do I need to learn (hard or soft skill) to be better at this overall task?
• Do I already have a skill in place I’ve simply not kept up to date?
• Is there an educational opportunity I can use to be more productive / efficient with this
particular task? (pick one and make a plan)
• Can I learn something on my own which would elevate my ability to handle this task?
(When will I complete this? Better yet, why haven’t I done this already?)
Activity
• Can I easily identify why I’m doing this particular task?
• Can I describe why I’m using the tool(s) I’ve chosen to use? Is it the best tool possible,
or just the one with which I’m most familiar?
• Is there a more efficient way to get this done?
• Is this better done alone, or with a colleague or two?
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Aim
• How does performing this task add value to my company?
• What would happen if I didn’t finish this task? What are the consequences - for me, for
my team?
• How does it fit in the overall work I need to accomplish?
• If a stranger walked up to my desk, could I easily explain to them why I’m doing this
task?
Passion
• Am I contributing my best effort to this task? (really?)
• Do I have a vested interest in the outcome? (is it logical, emotional, or both?)
• How well does this task mesh with my personal interests and core passions?
• If I could work with another person who is passionate about this task, do I think that
would help elevate my own interest, productivity or focus?
• How do I feel when I’m doing this task? Happy? Engaged? Bored? Tired? Disinterested?
Indifferent? Why?
• If I could pass this off to another person, would I choose to perform this task, or hand
it off?
• Would I volunteer for this task?
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Peak Focus Optimized Performance Formula Worksheet
(Ability x Activities x Aim) Passion
= Performance level
PERSONAL ASSESSMENT
Ability Activity Aim Passion Performance
<
X X =
(0-10) (0-10) (0-10) (0-3) Level
Current
<
X X =
Goal
<
X X =
Notes:
Questions to Uncover Potential Improvements
Ability
• What one skill (hard or soft) could I add that would make a difference on a daily basis?
• Am I running into the same obstacle or skills gap over and over? If so, can I clearly
describe it? What must I do to make an improvement?
• Do my colleagues consider me to be a good choice for my position? Am I someone
they would consistently choose to be on their team? (do they actively choose me?)
• What are my top 5 skills? (make a list, in order of importance)
• How do I use these skills to help others?
• What skills do I already have that I’m not keeping strong? (make another list)
• For each of the items I just listed, what one thing can I do to use it more often so I
strengthen it? How can I fit that into my work? Will I hold myself accountable to do
this?
• Which of that list should be my top 3 priorities? (make an ordered sublist)
• What educational / growth opportunities can I identify occurring within the next 30
days which would help address my top 3? (Choose one (or more) and make it happen.)
• Who in my inner circle can coach me? Who can I go to with questions or for a really
good discussion?
• If a total stranger saw me doing my job, would they think I was really good at it?
• If a stranger walked up to my desk, could I easily explain to them why I’m the best
possible person for my job and my team?
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Activity
• Can I easily identify why I’m doing what I do and how I go about it?
• Can I describe why I’m using the tool(s) I’ve chosen to use? Are they all the best tools
available, or just the ones with which I’m most familiar?
• Looking at the top 5 things I do most often, can I identify a more efficient way to get
these things done? Is that better way within my skill set? If not, is it within my reach?
• Is there someone else within my sphere of colleagues and friends who does this a lot
better than I do? (ask them for some time to discuss; some pointers)
• How much time do I spend on my real priorities? (Can I actually list out my top
priorities?)
• Can I really draw a straight line between what I am doing and why it matters?
Aim
• How does performing my job well add value to my team? My company?
• Can I easily explain how I contribute to the overall success of our company?
• What would happen if I didn’t finish my work? What are the consequences - for me, for
my team?
• How much of my time is focused on work I need to accomplish?
• Am I following a plan, or just making it up as I go?
• How many times do I catch myself lost online, chasing a thread or idea? checking my
email? my Facebook page? the latest news on CNN?
• When’s the last time I intentionally used “time blocking” and focused on just one thing
for an hour or more? What was the outcome? (can I do this more often?)
Passion
• On a daily basis, am I pleased with what I spend my time doing? Or am I just going
through the motions?
• Am I consistently contributing my best effort, even when I don’t care for the task or a
person involved with my work?
• Do I have a vested interest in the outcome? If so, do I act like it?
• Do I take pride in what I do every day? Am I anxious to share stories with my friends
or family? (are they positive stories?)
• How well does my overall work mesh with my personal interests and core passions?
• Could I use my skills and talents in another field or position which would better
connect with my interests and passions? Am I willing to seriously consider that move?
• If I could work with another person who is passionate, do I think that would help
elevate my own interest or performance level?
• How do I feel when I’m at work? Happy? Engaged? Bored? Tired? Disinterested?
Indifferent? Why?
• How is this different from how I feel when I’m involved in my favorite pastime or
volunteer activity?
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Peak Focus Optimized Performance Formula Worksheet
(Ability x Activities x Aim) Passion
= Performance level
TEAM / COMPANY
Ability Activity Aim Passion Performance
<
X X =
(0-10) (0-10) (0-10) (0-3) Level
Current
<
X X =
Goal
<
X X =
Notes:
Questions to Uncover Potential Improvements
Ability
• Do the same balls keep getting dropped? Same old things slip through the cracks?
• Is there a pattern to the things which aren’t finished on time, on budget or at an
acceptable level of quality?
• What one (very clearly defined) skill, if improved team/company-wide, would improve
everyone’s performance?
• Do we, as a company, effectively communicate? Can we pinpoint breakdowns in
communication - places where a small change would have a significant impact? (if so,
why haven’t we done something about it already!?)
• Do we have company-wide collaboration? Or do we have silos?
• What can we do to increase collaboration across teams?
• Do we have what it takes to be innovative? Do we look only within our industry? Or
do we seek out the most innovative changes across the board; across industries,
especially outside our own?
• Do we fail often enough? (are we trying too hard, or not trying hard enough?)
• Has our company (or industry) changed in a significant way - one in which we didn’t
keep up? If so, what does this mean for our future?
• Are we behind our competitors with technical training? Soft skills work (consultative
approach, etc.)? Attitude?
• Do we still have the right team players? On the right teams?
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• What training opportunities do we make available? How many of our people take
advantage of those opportunities? How often does the company leadership take
advantage of such opportunities?
• For areas where we’re lacking, do we have time and resources to train the people we
already have, or do we need to hire now for expertise and then bring the others up to
speed over time?
• What one thing does our most direct competitor do much better than us? How is that
affecting our long term success?
Activity
• Do we have the best tools, company-wide, for the job? Are we using what’s
comfortable, or are we stretching and learning to efficiently use new tools (especially
computer-based)?
• What one software (local, network, internet-based) upgrade would have the most
impact on our overall success?
• Can we use our smartphones to work smarter?
• Do we regularly question if there is a more efficient way to get things done?
• Can every person in our company explain why they do what they do? Can they also
explain how it contributes to the success of our company?
• Do we have a focus problem? Once we make a plan (we have one, right?), do we stick
to it, or are we often tempted (distracted) by the next big thing?
• Do our activities match up with our plan on a consistent basis?
Aim
• Are we too busy to focus? (ouch)
• Do we have “cyclical” focus? (when we talk about it, it improves and then starts to trail
off until the next time we make a fuss?)
• Are we too busy to plan? When’s the last time our strategic plan was updated? (we
have one, right?)
• Does our leadership team consistently restate and reinforce our goals? (we have those
written down and even hanging on the wall, right?)
• Does our leadership team also help everyone in the company understand how their
piece fits into the whole?
• Do we let the same old “fires” keep happening? Can we not find a way to solve at least
half of them? Before the end of this week? This day?
• How do we measure our progress? Who do we tell once we know?
• What are we measuring, how often and by what standards? Are we being consistent
with it? What are the trends? Up, down, sideways?
Passion
• How do we know if everyone is contributing their very best effort? (when’s the last
time we told them what it means when they do?)
• How well and how often do we thank those contributing the most? Those stretching
(and growing) on their own?
• Take a half hour and look around you. Just watch people as they work. What do you
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see in their faces and hear in their voices? Are they happy? Engaged? Bored? Tired?
Disinterested? Argumentative? Indifferent? Why?
• Are there people on the team who need to be moved, or simply removed?
• Who comes in early? Who stays late? Who comes through in the clutch moments?
(make a list)
• What’s different about these people (on the list) compared to the company as a whole?
• Are all members of our leadership / executive team on that list? If not, why?
• How many of our team members / employees would come to work on a day off
because something needed to be finished?
• How do you engage company-wide, on the human level? What things do you support in
your local community? Do you encourage everyone to volunteer? Do you give them
time off work to volunteer?
• If a total stranger spent an hour walking around your company, do you think they
would perceive your company was thriving, or simply surviving?
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Next Steps
Now that you understand the formula, try using it regularly for one week. Stop and do
a quick assessment on the tasks you’re performing. Be brutally honest with yourself.
Remember that even a small change can have large impact -- and look first to activity and
aim. That’s generally where you’ll find the quickest improvement. If you’ve made even one
improvement within the week of using the formula, congratulations. You’re moving in the
right direction.
At least once a month, make time to take a personal inventory also. Ask yourself the
suggested questions (along with any you’ve added). Are you intentionally moving up, or
simply sliding down? Life-long learners - people dedicated to taking positive strides each day
- are the most interesting and fulfilled people we know. Make a point to identify things you
can learn, ways to improve and stretch. Tie that to your passions and you’ll be unstoppable.
And, if you are responsible for leading a team or an entire company, you owe it to your
team and all those whose lives you touch to take a hard, objective look at your situation.
Do it regularly. Make it a priority. Use the formula for each individual and study the results.
Average the numbers across teams, across divisions and across the company as a whole.
Keep great notes and measure for improvement over time. Ask great questions and keep
your eyes wide open.
The opportunities for improvement will stand up and practically wave at you if you just take
an organized look.
We love feedback, and even more, we love a good success story. If you’ve found
the formula useful in your world, tell us about it.
To your greatest success!
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22. Peak Focus Optimized Performance Formula SM
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A quick note on exponents...
Just in case you don’t have a fancy xy button on your calculator, here’s a quick reference:
Exponents are a shorthand way to show how many times a number, called the base, is
multiplied times itself. A number with an exponent is said to be “raised to the power” of that
exponent.
For example:
20 = 1 (Any number raised to the power of zero, except zero, equals one.)
21 = 2 (Any number raised to the power of one equals the number itself.)
22 = 2 x2=4
23 = 2 x2x2=8
If the exponent (passion, in this equation) is 0, the final performance level answer is equal
to 1. Yes, just one, regardless of the number which resulted when you multiplied the other
three numbers.
If the exponent is 1, the number which resulted when you multiplied the other three
numbers is the final performance level answer.
If the exponent is 2, the number which resulted when you multiplied the other three
numbers should be multiplied by the same number. (If your initial multiplication answer is
125, then your performance level is 125 x 125, which equals 15,625.)
If the exponent is 3, the number which resulted when you multiplied the other three
numbers should be multiplied by the same number twice. (If your initial multiplication
answer is 125, then your performance level is 125 x 125 x 125, which equals 1,953,125.)
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