Seven core strengths of high performers are outlined in the document: 1) Dreaming big and allowing themselves to determine their own limits. 2) Being great planners, especially for projects they are passionate about. 3) Having absolute focus on the task at hand and engaging their entire thought process. 4) Being perfectionists who keep working to satisfy their own high standards.

1. Seven Core Strengths of High Performers
At some point in our lives, most of us, have strived to be like the high performers, be it a top
notch corporate leader, or some other professional like an elite sportsman, a famous author,
musician, political leader and the like. Consciously or without really knowing about it, most high
performers have a strategic action plan, which they put into action to excel in the project they
are handling, or the challenge they are facing. Seven of the core strengths that high performers
share in common are as follows.
1. Dream Big. High performers allow themselves to dream big. Note that the word allow is in
italics because, a lot of us put great ideas aside, thinking they are beyond our means. It can be
liberating to realize that the only person who can truly determine what each of us can achieve is
our own selves. Just as it is in the nature of others to tell us what we can and cannot do, it is our
right to determine and decide our limits for ourselves!
2. Great Planners. High performers might be absentminded and messy when it comes to
scheduling other activities, but are absolutely determined when it comes to the project of their
passion. For instance, a sportsman will always make sure he has ample time for practices, an
author would like to schedule ample time to dwell and plan on new ideas, etc.
3. Absolute Focus. High performers are so passionate about the job or task at hand, that they
can often keep working at it with absolute focus, to the point that they even lose track of time.
The work in hand becomes more than work or project and it engages their entire current
conscious thought and action process. This also creates a deep sense of satisfaction when the
project is successfully concluded.
4. Perfectionists: Most if not all high performers are perfectionists. They keep working, trying
and improving, till they satisfy their own internal standards of achievement. This can be
frustrating for others around them, and even lengthen the duration of the project, but high
performers seldom care!
5. Challenge themselves. This is almost like a natural extension of the ability to dream big. High
performers love to constantly challenge themselves and attain new heights of achievement. A
lot is said at present times about challenging oneself in terms of "stepping out of the comfort
zone". Challenging oneself can also be seen as a means of continuous learning. It prevents us
from getting stagnated.
6. Hard work and Perseverance. No matter how talented one is, there is no substitute for hard
work and the perseverance to never give up! These are an absolute must to have quality for the
high performers and ultimately helps them to reach new levels of soaring success.
7. Rising above the Fear of Failure. It is human to be afraid to fail and instead of ignoring the
notion, the high performers device ways to rise above their fear, for instance, by letting the fear

2. of failure make them work extra hard. One way to overcome the fear of failure could be to think
of the worst consequences that might happen if we fail. Then to compare that to the loss that
might occur if we do not at least give the project a fair try.For instance, imagine if Mozart
decided not to compose music fearing what others would think if he failed!
These are some of the core attributes that strengthen and support the high performers to
achieve the goals that they aspire to meet or exceed. It may seem overwhelming at first, but
some of the qualities are easy to cultivate. It can start with some mindful introspection about
what we really want to achieve in life and then giving it an honest, whole hearted and dedicated
chance to fulfill. Planning well to integrate our passion or projects into our schedules would help
and finally having the perseverance to fearlessly work hard till their completion would show our
commitment. Last but not the least, there is nothing as brave and liberating as honest, hard
work towards fulfilling our dreams. So the question is that are we ready to learn from the high
performers and give our dreams the wings to fly?