You are a performer. That's right, everyone performs every day no matter what arena of life you are in. Top performers have learned and devised a way to not only perform at a high level but to help themselves do it on a consistent basis!

Unfortunately, others have developed a set of "myths" about what peak performance is. These myths can actually sabotage your own efforts to improve. In order to raise the level of your own performance it is important to become aware of, understand and avoid these myths that have been perpetuated about peak performance.

Remember, peak performers have crystallized their discipline and have experienced the pitfalls, blind spots and temptations on their journey toward excellence. As a result, they have learned how to create models and methods to overcome them.

Why is it important to reveal these myths and see them for what they are? Because if you don't recognize and remove them, you will unconsciously open yourself up to self-sabotage without realizing it! As a Performance Success Coach, part of my responsibility is to help people see the "pot holes" on the road before they hit them. The high level performers have learned to do that and now you can too by going past these myths. By developing sound and believable Mental Keys Strategies you can focus on what is important and what will get you the level of excellence you strive for.

Learn to avoid these 11 performance myths and you will experience an immediate change in attitude and performance:

MYTH #1 PEAK PERFORMERS ARE JUST BORN THAT WAY

They only look like they are "born" that way. What you don't see is the tremendous effort and practice they put into honing their performance skills. They look smooth and polished because of this. They have learned to develop their mental keys along the way.

Strategic Tip: Pay attention to what you are practicing. Are you developing how to be angry and frustrated or perfecting the skills that gain you entrance into the zone?

MYTH #2 TOP PERFORMERS HAVE SPECIAL "MIND" POWERS

Not true. It is easier for some than others but nobody has a corner of the market on these mental keys. YOU HAVE THE SAME MIND/BODY PRINCIPLES OPERATING IN YOU AS ANYONE ELSE DOES!

Strategic Tip: You've been successful at some time in the past. Stop, look and listen. Identify what you were thinking, feeling and doing at the time. Also, find out what others in your field do to be successful. It might surprise you!

MYTH #2 THEY ALWAYS GIVE 100% OR MORE AND "GO FOR IT"

Not necessarily true. Yes, they always put their best effort into what they are doing BUT they don't always put the "pedal to the metal". Peak performers have learned that more is not always better. They have learned that each situation dictates the appropriate amount of effort needed to perform the task.

Strategic Tip: Identify what your ideal performance state is. Become aware of where your overexert yourself and struggle. At these times you can remind yourself to return to that level of mental/physical and emotional intensity that works for you.

MYTH #4 THEY ARE PERFECTIONISTS

Peak performers can be demanding and tough on themselves. However, when it comes time to perform they do NOT get caught in the perfectionist syndrome. They understand the nature of the game and that there is an ebb and flow to performance. Errors are part of that picture.

Strategic Tip: Keep perfectionism in the practice arena if anywhere but leave it at the door when you perform. The zone is not achieved when you try to be perfect, judge and criticize yourself. You don't "try" to speak or hit a tennis or golf ball. You just do it…be perfect in your disciplined preparation but NOT in your performance. The zone is not accessed this way.

MYTH #5 THEY NEVER SHOW THEIR EMOTIONS/VULNERABILITY

Is that so? Although many coaches have trained their students to "not show weakness", the reality is that many top performers do. They know the importance of celebrating the positive and releasing negative toxic emotion as well. The difference is, they release it and have the mental tools to refocus where others do not. The ones who don't have these mental keys release an emotion and keep on releasing it, negatively affecting their performance

Strategic Tip: Realize that you are much better off being "real". Emotions are energy and when they are not released…they will build up in the body like a steam kettle and then….bam! Trust yourself to be "vulnerable", get advice or help when you need it. Nobody every made it to the top by themselves.

MYTH #6 THEY FOCUS ONLY ON WINNING

Peak performers want to win more than anyone but they do NOT focus on winning while competing. They understand the importance of using the mental keys to stay focused on what matters most during play. Winning is not one of them!

Strategic Tip: Honor your desire to win. It's fine, but when you are performing keep your attention only on things you have 100% control over. It's always a battle of process vs. outcome. Stay with process, process and more process thinking. Anything that doesn't fit this category is a distraction and of no use to you.

MYTH #7 THEY TRY TO CONTROL EVERYTHING

Here is where peak performers outshine others. They understand the PARADOX of performance. It's loaded with them! The performers who try to force and control everything are not operating in the way of the peak performer. Combining toughness with the ability to relax, let go and trust is the ultimate state of the peak performer. It is the state of NONncontrol that creates a natural release of their talents.

Strategic Tip: You can only control 1 person…YOU! Take note of how many things you try to control. Let go of anything you truly can't control The high need for control usually means a LOW confidence level. The higher your confidence the less desire you will have to control other people, places or situations. Begin seeing the PARADOX yourself. They are things such as "less is more", "to be faster, open up inside yourself" Trust yourself and learn to relax into that. This is one way to enter and entice the zone state.

MYTH #8 PEAK PERFORMANCES ONLY OCCUR TO PEAK PERFORMERS

Really? Peak performance can occur to anyone at any time. Sure, peak performers come closer than others but they practice doing that. You can elicit peak performances by practicing, trusting, learning how to remain calm and relaxed. It has nothing to do with skills. The peak performance state is an INTERNAL state cultivated by practice.

Strategic Tip: Use your powers of "Active Imagination" to see yourself performing the way you want to. Your body doesn't know the difference between fantasy and reality so see it the way you want it! Write down your experience when you've been in the zone in any arena of your life. Keep in mind that the same qualities that produce the zone are as available to you as anyone else!

MYTH #9 THEY CAN INDUCE PEAK PERFORMANCE ON "COMMAND"

When you witness a great performance by anyone, an athlete, entertainer, musician or actor, does it appear they are struggling or forcing it? I doubt it. Even if the performer isn't having their best day this is true. Forcing a performance when you're not playing your best simply does not work. Playing your best under these conditions requires a commitment to focus, solid preparation, believable mental plans and remembering to compete no matter what.

Strategic Plan: Top performances are "released" not forced. Create a believable mental/game plan, prepare with effective routines, demonstrate your routines during the performance at all times and continue to trust that you have what you need.

MYTH #10 TOP PERFORMERS DON'T NEED A SUCCESS COACH

The best never make it there alone. They understand the importance of having people around them who help foster success. As the old saying goes; "Even Michael Jordan needs a coach". So does Tiger Woods or any one else you can think of. The best have someone behind them supporting, pushing, and driving their success.

Strategic Tip: Are you giving yourself the best chance to be successful? If not, seek the wise counsel of others who can help.

MYTH #11 ONLY YEARS OF TRAINING CAN LEAD TO THE EXPERIENCE OF PEAK PERFORMANCE.

Anyone can experience a peak performance. When you know the mind/body/performance principles and follow their laws of operation you can have them too. The more experience you have doing this, the easier it is to create your best efforts.

Strategic Tip: Always keep the faith in yourself. You can always take action on what you have control over. Prepare wisely, practice wisely, and apply what you know to this point and you can begin performing better under pressure.

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David Breslow-- Performance Success Strategies 847.681.1698 urwiredtowin@aol.com David offers a unique "root cause" approach that teaches athletes to create new outcomes rather than coping with old ineffective patterns. He's worked with athletes locally, nationally and internationally using his Wired To Win program that players can take part no mater where they live or play. He also offers an on-line assessment in that measures your strengths and development areas in 10 key and critical performance traits. Contact David for more information .