Human excellence in virtually all domains is guided by mental factors. The experiences of exceptional performers suggest that there are seven critical elements of excellence: Commitment, Belief, Full Focus, Positive Images, Mental Readiness, Distraction Control and Constructive Evaluation. These elements combine to form a "Wheel of Excellence" that provides a working framework to guide the pursuit of excellence. Each of the seven elements of excellence is discussed and suggestions are made for application in practical performance enhancement situations.
What enables you to become great at what you do?
What allows you to perform at the highest levels of excellence?
For twenty five years Terry Orlick has worked as a mental training consultant with great performers in many different pursuits. He has learned from thousands of hours of individual interviews, careful observations, and extensive two-way interactions with athletes, coaches, and performers in a variety of settings. His interaction with some athletes who became the best in the world began when they were in their developmental stages, continued through their entire sporting careers, and included their transition to other meaningful pursuits. He has also learned important lessons about excellence from a series of in-depth interview studies investigating the mental qualities of exceptional performers in sport and other high performance domains. Most of these studies were conducted in collaboration with his graduate students at the University of Ottawa.
The Wheel of Excellence can serve as a guide in your own pursuit of personal excellence. Decide where you are strong and where you need strengthening. Target areas for personal improvement and work at it. The following questions may help in clarifying your direction.
Is your commitment to training, practice or preparation strong enough to take you to your high level goals?
Do you think and act in ways that make you feel positive and confident?
Do you have a plan to consistently get into your best focus?
Do you carry a perspective that centers on ongoing learning and growing?
Do you carry a perspective or focus that allows you to avoid, minimize, or take control of distractions?
Do you draw lessons out of every experience or every performance (i.e. what went well and what needs refinement)?
Human excellence in virtually all domains is guided by mental factors. The experiences of exceptional performers suggest that there are seven critical elements of excellence: Commitment, Belief, Full Focus, Positive Images, Mental Readiness, Distraction Control and Constructive Evaluation. These elements combine to form a "Wheel of Excellence" that provides a working framework to guide the pursuit of excellence. Each of the seven elements of excellence is discussed and suggestions are made for application in practical performance enhancement situations.