People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher and better than themselves. Tyron Edwards
Improvement is nothing but a positive progress from the current status. Repetition is the most commonly practiced method for improvement. With constant practice, we soon excel in the activity and that is the improvement that we see. A better method is to follow a good example and to learn the correct technique. Take the case of a badminton player who has learnt to play the game as a child. Invariably they play the backhand with the wrist facing the net, which is the natural inclination but the wrong technique. Initially mastering the right technique would be a bit tough but once mastered we know that it is the best way ahead.
Another technique is to have standards to measure our performance. We are used to this technique in school, where we invariably compared our results with our friends or those weaker than us, so as to get a sense of achievement. However when we get older and wiser we realize that we need to seek those better than us in order to know the limits that we need to achieve. Higher benchmarks or performance standards mean that there is a scope to reach that level and creates an urge in us to reach there. For years it was assumed that no human could run the mile under 4 minute until, Roger Bannister ran a mile in 3 min 59.4 sec on 6 May, 1954. Soon thereafter the record was broken by a number of runners.
When we have no yardsticks to measure performance, we find it hard to be motivated, tough to visualize success and lack the self belief to attain the peak. Standards and role models act as beacons of light that light up the path and provide us the intensity and illumination to chase the performance landmarks. However talented we may be, it is only our inner motivation that can drive us to succeed and exceed the benchmarks.
Remember: When we climb a mountain we don’t conquer the mountain but we conquer ourselves.
Try These:
- Take a rubber ball or a basket ball and tell yourself how many times you can bounce it without losing the control over it. Attempt it and try to improve on your performance.
- Can you set performance standards for your daily/ weekly/ monthly/ yearly tasks? Look at this post and you will notice that it is the 90th post in a row. What was the performance standard I set for myself and am I on target? Do you think I could achieve my goal only because of the target set or because of some other factors?
This post is courtesy www.actspot.com
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