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Success Advice

4 Things You Need to Access Effortless Peak Performance

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What seeds must you sow to reap success? What seeds must you sow to experience joy? What seeds must you sow for these to grow? We have more opportunities at our fingertips than ever before. And we have more distractions vying for our eyeballs than ever before. But the most valuable things in life are borne of one simple principle, yourself at your peak.

To reach peak performance, you must  learn how to engage in the right behaviors and habits. Peak performance isn’t something that is forced. When you operate on that level, you register no effort in spite of the intensity and durations you can engage in. Because what you really tap into is a state of total self-coherence where you are in the optimal state of resonance.

Here are 4 things you need to access your peak performance:

1. Clarity

Clean up your mind and get good at cleaning it. Fuzzy thinking, over thinking and overcorrection are some of the biggest culprits of lackluster performance. Our mind runs our body. Lack of clarity is lack of presence. Lack of presence is lack of ability. Lack of ability is lack of performance. By achieving mental clarity you create the space that allows your mind to function at its best.

Clarity improves your intelligence, mood and creativity. An overactive brain is a dysfunctional brain. When your thoughts run in opposing directions, your faculties are split. But most importantly is that you want mental bandwidth on reserve rather than to blow it all on unnecessary anxieties. Otherwise, just like a computer, you overheat and the whole system loses its essential functions. You might know this as mini burnouts, mental fog, and scatter-mind.

What you can do to increase your clarity is to distinguish the noise from the information. That is the imaginings from the ongoings. This will not only train your meta-intelligence, but also the precision and speed of your reasoning skills. Ultimately leading to a state of presence where you are free to give your best with undue stress, anxiety and blockages out of the way.

“A lack of clarity could put the brakes on any journey to success.” – Steve Maraboli

2. Focus

The discriminatory skills of clarity and the resulting space lead to the next element to optimize your performance: focus. Your best performance occurs when you mobilize all your abilities onto the same point. Just like a laser beam that delivers more energy and heat to a surface when it is focused on the smallest possible spot.

However, focus is not only additive but subtractive. Your ability to focus is greatly correlated with your amount of disposable energy. The less energy you have at your disposal, the more your mind will push you toward immediate gratification. You will notice an increase interest in peripheral matters with quick gratification cycles. It is a smart, unconscious mechanism to prevent us from chasing a goal at a distance our stamina can’t match.

You want to define clear goals to lock your focus on. The more relevant the goals, the more exciting their pay-off, the easier it is to focus on them. And you can hack that by connecting with the experience of its accomplishment.

Here, it can make sense to lie to yourself to perform in beast mode. While a little self-deception can go a long way, the true power of focus lies in its singularity. And to achieve singularity of focus, you need to not only define a clear goal but also set aside all the conflicting ones.

3. Generative capacity

Generative capacity is the most important element on this list. Why? Capacity is the ability of your abilities. That is the ease with which you can access the things you can do in situations when they are difficult to do. Anyone can perform when the context is right, but only those with capacity can perform when the context is unfavorable. Generative is related to production and reproduction. That means to produce more than to waste.  Generative capacity is the ability to do what you can do even when it is difficult, and the drive to increase that across domains while generating even more.

To develop your generative capacity you must learn to make your skills and abilities less context dependent. What separates top performers from good performers is the ease with which they have access to their faculties. This allows them to go from zero to a hundred without effort and relax again when they need to. And this degree of self-mastery is the most important factor to reach your peak state of performance.

You can train your generative capacity by exercising your skills under adverse conditions. And by barring yourself from using your best solutions, and devise new ones under those very same conditions. While it may seem simple, most people are only incentivized to step outside their comfort zone when it is too late. Peak performers become most visible in times of crisis with their ability to keep a cool head and vital presence to do the impossible. But increasing your generative capacity will also make all the skills you already have more powerful and consistent.

“To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.” – Goethe

4. Flow

Flow is a state of radical self-coherence where your clarity, focus and capacity converge upon one task. You might know this from being in the zone when things just seem to fall into place. This single minded immersion has a powerful effect on your mind, as it burns away your limiting beliefs and puts your totality at your service.

What makes the state of flow so extraordinary is that your sense of time, effort and self dissolve. This has massive implications for your energy levels, which in the zone seem infinite, your cognitive abilities, which ignite without resistance, and your passion, which elevates your mood into a form of ecstasy.

There are two ways of reaching flow. The synthetic way and the organic one. Synthetic flow works by adjusting the external conditions to make it more conducive for you to reach the state. Organic flow focuses on the internal triggers to reaching flow, making it more robust and context independent. And while most of the flow literature is focused on the synthetic means to reaching it, it is not useful in the context of true peak performance.

The best way to reach flow is by learning how to master yourself. By learning certain meditation techniques, such as Resonance and Mindfulness, you can develop the capacity to ignite the state of flow from mere memory. Their means of reaching of organic flow that allow you tap into your muscle-mind memory to summon the state at will. This makes your level of performance not only robust and consistent, but playful and effortless.

What ways do you activate peak performance? Please leave your thoughts below!

Art Von Sy is an expert on effortless peak performance. He is a disruptive innovator in the mind sciences as the creator of Vast. He shows people how to bypass their minds to directly access flow states, creative clarity, and effortless confidence. Find out more here. You can also sign up for his free email course to increase your level of focus and flow here.

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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how to build self-confidence through action
Image Credit: Midjourney

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
Image Credit: Midjourney

Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

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Success Advice

What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)

Your first 100 days as CEO could define your entire legacy, here’s how to make every move count

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leadership tips for new CEO
Image Credit: Midjourney

When Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs at Apple, the world watched with bated breath. Jobs wasn’t just a CEO; he was a visionary, an icon, and a legend of innovative leadership. (more…)

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Entrepreneurs

The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

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Bridging the gap between employees and employers
Image Credit: Midjourney

In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

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