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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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High Performance summary
Jake Humphrey, Damian Hughes
Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best
19 mins
Brief summary
High Performance delves into the crucial traits and mindsets that fuel exceptional achievements in sports and business. Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes offer insights and actionable advice to help us unlock our potential and excel.
Table of Contents
High Performance
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Taking responsibility drives performance
In 2017, teenage racing driver Billy Monger was involved in a crash that led to the amputation of both legs. His response surprised many – he didn’t focus on blame or loss. He talked instead about what he could still do. That mindset of personal responsibility, acknowledging the situation and choosing how to respond to it, is one of the most consistent patterns among those who perform at the highest level.
The core idea is simple: what happens in life isn’t always your choice, but how you respond is. That thinking is captured in a formula used by many top performers: Life plus Response equals Outcome. This shifts attention away from what’s outside your control and toward what you can actually influence. This change in focus builds what psychologists call a ‘sense of agency’. It helps people stay active rather than passive, which leads to more consistent performance and higher resilience.
Former footballer Robin van Persie explained how much of his early career was disrupted by frustration. He would fixate on what others did wrong – referees, teammates, the media – and let it affect his game. Things started to change when he began writing letters to his future self, describing the player he wanted to become and how he needed to behave to get there. That habit helped him redirect his attention and reclaim control.
This doesn’t mean you should ignore reality. High performers still face setbacks, failure, and criticism, but they choose not to get stuck in them. Percussionist Evelyn Glennie lost her hearing as a child, but continued to pursue music by training herself to feel sound through vibration. James Timpson built a successful company by hiring ex-offenders, not because it was easy, but because he believed in judging people by their current actions, not their past.
Taking responsibility means choosing how to act in the face of challenge. It’s the first building block of a high performance mindset. But once you take ownership, the next step is keeping that effort going. That depends on how you build and sustain motivation.
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What is High Performance about?
High Performance (2021) draws on insights from top performers in sports, business, and the arts to reveal the mindsets and habits that drive lasting success. It emphasizes that excellence isn’t innate or exclusive – it’s the result of deliberate, everyday choices. By taking ownership of your responses, committing to clear non-negotiables, and building purpose-driven routines, you can not only elevate your own performance but also inspire those around you to do the same.
Who should read High Performance?
- Ambitious professionals seeking sustainable peak performance
- Forward-thinking leaders focused on team culture
- Anyone interested in personal growth
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