When others get promoted or an old school friend launches a very successful venture, do you ever find yourself thinking, “What am I lacking?”

Don’t worry—I’m not going to tell you to just work harder, because the issue isn’t only about hard work.
There’s more to it.

What is the difference between people who seem to have it all, who achieve what they want, and those who put in the same effort but never quite get there? Or between those who look “successful” from the outside yet live with stress and unhappiness, and those who, despite working at the same pace, appear calm, fulfilled, and content?

The book I’ve just started reading, Brendon Burchard’s High Performance Habits, offers powerful answers to these questions. The book reminds us of something we already know: the foundation of high performance lies in good habits. But Burchard makes an important distinction: “Not all habits are created equal.”

So, it’s not just about forming habits; it’s about choosing them with a strategic mindset. Some habits give us a small boost in daily life, while others transform us in the long run.

With the enthusiasm I’ve drawn from this book, I’ve summarized some beginner exercises for the pursuit of high performance. The key isn’t just to read but to put them into practice. If you’re ready, let’s dive in…

1. Envision the 4 Elements of Your Future

High performers stand out because they imagine their future selves and think through what they must do to become that version. But note: this isn’t just daydreaming—it follows a system.

• Yourself: What kind of person do you want to become?
• Relationships: Who do you want to have in your life?
• Skills: In which areas do you want to master your craft?
• Contribution: How do you want to leave your mark on the world, your community, and your loved ones?

These four elements transform your future from a foggy vision into a concrete roadmap.

2. Find the Feeling You’re Chasing

Here lies an important distinction: emotion vs. feeling.

An emotion is instinctive. It’s triggered by an event: fear, sadness, anger… it comes and goes.
A feeling arises afterward; it’s an interpretation. Whatever emotion you experience, you can choose how to feel.

Even in fear, you can choose to feel courage. Emotions are fleeting, but feelings are lasting. And steering those lasting feelings is within your control. This “power of intentional feeling” is one of the strongest tools in everyday life.

Ask yourself:

• How will I feel when I succeed?
• How do I want to feel—or make others feel—in today’s meeting?

Often, what you feel determines what you make others feel. Choosing your feelings doesn’t just transform you—it transforms those around you too.

3. Define What’s Meaningful

“Meaning” is talked about so much that it’s almost a cliché. But strip away the lofty words and ask yourself: “What truly matters to me?”

• Your career?
• Your family?
• Your contribution to society?

Don’t measure yourself against other people’s definitions of success. Create your own. Because living by someone else’s goals, no matter how glamorous it looks, leaves you empty inside.

To find meaning, ask yourself:

• How much time do I dedicate to this activity?
• How deeply am I committed to it?
• Would I keep doing it even with low pay?

The answers will guide you. According to Burchard, the secret of high performers is that they generate enthusiasm from within. Ask yourself: “Can I feel excited for no reason, just by choice?” The answer is often yes—because passion is not an external spark but an internal energy source.

4. Bring It All Together

Now it’s time to combine everything. You’ve clarified your future, found the feeling you’re chasing, and defined what’s meaningful. Merge these into a single vision statement.

For example:
“I want to live a meaningful life with my loved ones, growing and contributing to my country.”

Or yours might be as simple as: “I want to train my dog in the best way possible.” It’s up to you. What matters is that it reflects your own values and dreams. Because this vision statement will serve as a compass—even in your smallest daily decisions.

Clarity: The Hidden Key to Being Extraordinary
The path to becoming extraordinary runs through clarity. Clarity isn’t found in a single day. But by practicing these four exercises consistently, the fog clears and the road appears.

Maybe the only question you need to ask yourself today is this:
“What is truly important to me?”

There are people who manage to succeed while still making time for themselves, staying balanced, and remaining happy. As for me, I haven’t quite figured out how to be both high-performing and calm yet. If anyone has cracked the code or experienced this balance, I’d love to hear your insights.