You can have high performance without striving, willpower and constant grind.
There is another way. A way that is different than the usual mentality of focus, willpower, try hard and be more intense.
When you are in the flow state or the zone, you could explain this state as a feeling. Freedom, no thought, the identity of self disappears, effortless action, allowing, pure presence. There is no trying hard in the zone, you just know what to do and options expand. In this state, high performance is consistent. We all have access to this state of mind.
The thing is, we don’t have to try hard or exert willpower to get there. We don’t have to do something to find it. Think about a child who is upset. That child does not apply a tool or technique to feel better. It simply happens by design. By the design of how the mind works, how we are built.
When we let go, we are in the zone —
We let go of our performance expectations.
We let go of stressful, anxious, nervous, insecure thoughts.
We let go of what others think of us.
We let go of how we look.
We let go of hoping we don’t make a mistake.
We let go of if we feel ready or not.
When we think we need to do something to get rid of our thoughts and feelings, all we are doing is adding more noise and revving up our thinking. Let the thoughts be. They will clear on their own, if you allow them. Exerting willpower and forcing hard work doesn’t equate to consistent high performance. Quiet down, play free, responsive, full of joy and let your magic shine.
The zone exists within and is always available to you.