Performance Tip: Be A Character

Simplicity is complexity resolved. Keep that in mind as you read these ridiculously simple tips to boost your performance in any arena.

First, a brief pre-frame.

Improved performance is simply 'to do better'. It can be applied to anything we care enough about to put in the effort to do better than our old selves. Improved performance requires change.

Before we move on, answer this question as honestly as possible:

What area of your performance are you most passionate about improving? The answer should light you up.

Whether you're hurting, inspired, learning, or receiving enough to want to change, these simple approaches can give you a quick boost in the right direction.

Now, let's have some fun.

Quick Performance Tip #1: Accept that You Are in A Show

Now that you have the area you're most interested in improving, think of this arena of your life as a show, a play, an actual performance.

You'll be tempted to write this off as silly. It's not. This is a mindset shift that does three things:

• It allows you to see yourself differently. Picturing your arena as a play or a show gives you permission to experiment, and experimentation is how we learn to be a higher-performing character
• It shifts the performance from 'you' to 'something you do'. This shift is the basis of self-observance, mindfulness and a whole host of inner-world mastery skills
• The playful nature of this prompt helps to keep things light. Your brain wants to be in flow, flow is where you feel best, all higher levels of performance come from flow- FLOW wants to be light and playful

So relax. Try something new. Accept this arena of performance is all just a show now. You're a character in the play and you're about to get better than ever.

Quick Performance Tip #2: Design Your Character

Now that we've established your area of performance is just a show, we can get to work developing your character.

Go back to the question at the beginning. What are you passionate about performing incredibly well? Is it motherhood? Entrepreneurship? Are you a leader? An artist? An athlete? Are you here to write that book or change the world through that non-profit organization?

That idea, that calling, that relationship or skill, is your craft. To improve, you need a new character, one who is free to be more bold, more cringe, more disciplined, more free, more courageous than the character you have now.

We all have a few characters in our arsenal. Who we are as parents, siblings or lovers is different than who we are at work, the gym, or with our best friends. Each role has a different character design. Some of our favorite people or environments are the ones where we are free to be our favorite characters, the version of ourselves we like the most.

So to design your new character, one that you'll like, think about these three things:

• what does this new character look like?
• what does this new character feel like?
• what does this new character do differently?

Here's what it looks like in action:

I once had a season of difficult conversations. I knew that if I wanted to excel at my craft, I needed to improve my ability to have difficult conversations. So I designed a character. To answer those three questions, I took inspiration from Beth, the bad *ass from Yellowstone.

Beth always looked like confidence personified.

Her energy felt like she could be counted on to handle all situations with an unflappable sense of capability.

I knew she would do things differently; she would not waste time people-pleasing, sugar-coating, or being what others thought she should be just to make them comfortable.

That's it. It can be as simple as that. I'd seen the show, I knew her character and when it was it was time for me to work on my performance, I'd remind myself of my character update and practice being this new version of myself; Jess with a dash of Beth.

That's it. Get a visual, get a vibe, and a get quick idea of at least one thing this new character would do differently.

Quick Performance Tip #3: Fall In Love With Your Character

Liking your character is good. Loving your character is better. This new character of yours should scare you a little, excite you a lot, and be something you choose to love.

There is no improved performance without experimenting. There's no experimenting without imperfection. There's no growth without failure. Learning to love your new character gives it the foundation it needs to endure.

Loving these characters that we choose is a way to practice one of the most advanced performance skills; self-compassion.

If we love it, we stick with it longer. If we love it, we enjoy the process more. If we love it, we take more steps to protect it, nurture it, and see it through to completion. Learning to love ourselves is a healing template that slowly spreads.

Clarification: This is not about becoming someone else. This is about caring enough for the many versions of who you are to take intentional control of the direction you're going next. Go in the direction of being better at what you love, at what you're here to do. Intentionally design yourself around your next level of performance. Plus, it's fun. And heavily researched. You already do this subconsciously, this is about doing it intentionally.

BONUS: Dress Like Your New Character

The way we dress matters. Tell your brain and body you're all in by dressing this new character accordingly. Try a new pair of sunglasses, a ring, a hat, a watch- or a whole new look. It's a simple way to train yourself in your new character.

Do Well. Live Well. And Dress Really Well.

Commit to your gift, your craft, and your passion. Design a character to expand that potential. Decide to love- wholeheartedly whoever you create next. Start there and see what happens. You won't be disappointed.

PS- Don't forget to read a book.

If you'd like to read more on this subject check out: