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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Primed to Perform summary
Neel Doshi
Lindsay McGregor
How to Build the Highest Performing Cultures Through the Science of Total Motivation
16 mins
Brief summary
'Primed to Perform' by Neel Doshi and Lindsay McGregor explores how to create a high-performance culture in the workplace by tapping into employees' basic psychological needs. Through research, they debunk common management practices and offer a new approach to drive motivation and engagement.
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Primed to Perform
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Understanding what motivates people can help you form a high-performance corporate culture.
What gets you out of bed every morning, ready for another productive day at the office?
When you’re working to build a high-performance culture at your company, this should be the first question on your mind.
In fact, motivation can be broken down into three categories: play, purpose and potential.
Play motivates you to take an action simply because it is fun to do so. You might be curious and enjoy experimenting, or simply eager to learn or adapt.
This is why people spend time enjoying a hobby, solving crossword puzzles or listening to music. But in turn, if you’re trying to do something difficult like losing weight, play motivation can help; you might enjoy trying new recipes or researching vegetarian restaurants to reach your goal.
Purpose motivates you to do something because you value the outcome and impact of your actions, even though the process itself may not be enjoyable. The long shifts and stressful days of being a nurse may be tough, for example, but deep down you value caring for people.
Potential motivates you when you value the indirect outcomes of a certain activity. In essence, you think that your actions will lead to something important, such as fulfilling a long-term goal.
If you were a paralegal, for example, you might not enjoy the day-to-day work, but you see the job as a necessary step toward applying to law school.
So now you know the three types of motivation. The more closely these three are connected to the work you do, the more strongly they’ll influence your overall performance.
Of the three, play is the most powerful motivator as it’s closest to the work itself. This means the more you see your work as play, the better you’ll perform!
But don’t ignore purpose and potential – they’re still strong motivators!
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What is Primed to Perform about?
Primed to Perform (2015) is a guide to motivation. These blinks will show you how to light a fire under your employees and colleagues – that is, motivate them to perform – in a way that brings meaningful results and is long-lasting. You’ll learn that in doing so, you’ll build a corporate culture that values high performance, which in turn will help you fulfill your goals.
Primed to Perform Review
Primed to Perform (2015) is a thought-provoking book that explores the keys to high performance and motivation in the workplace. Here's why this book is worth a read:
- With data-driven insights and practical strategies, it provides a roadmap for creating a culture of high performance in any organization.
- The book challenges conventional wisdom, offering fresh perspectives on what truly motivates individuals and teams to excel.
- Through compelling case studies and stories, it brings the concepts to life, illustrating how organizations have successfully implemented the authors' principles.
Best quote from Primed to Perform
If you want to build a ship, dont drum up people to collect wood and dont assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. – Antoine de Sain-Exupéry
—Neel Doshi and Lindsay McGregor
Who should read Primed to Perform?
- Managers and leaders from big and small companies alike
- Businesspeople who want to increase company performance
- People interested in the science behind human performance and motivation
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Primed to Perform FAQs
What is the main message of Primed to Perform?
The main message of Primed to Perform is that organizations can unleash hidden potential in their employees by shifting their focus from individual performance to total motivation.
How long does it take to read Primed to Perform?
The reading time for Primed to Perform varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Primed to Perform a good book? Is it worth reading?
Primed to Perform is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in improving motivation and performance in organizations. It offers valuable insights and practical strategies.
Who is the author of Primed to Perform?
The authors of Primed to Perform are Neel Doshi and Lindsay McGregor.
What to read after Primed to Perform?
If you're wondering what to read next after Primed to Perform, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Ready, Fire, Aim by Michael Masterson
- Friday Forward by Robert Glazer
- Plays Well with Others by Eric Barker
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- Supercoach by Michael Neill
- The Fine Art Of Small Talk by Debra Fine
- The Stoic Path to Wealth by Darius Foroux
- Mind Magic by James R. Doty
- Extremely Hardcore by Zoë Schiffer
- Building Your Money Machine with ChatGPT by Larry Wheeler