8 Action Steps to High Performance Achievement

By Dave Ramsey
Published: July 1, 2008 (Digital)

Earlier this year, at the age of 46, I took on the daunting task of running my first marathon. It takes a special level of training and effort to push yourself that hard. And as I was training I began thinking how the principles of what I was doing also have implications in every area of life where I want to be a high performance achiever.

1. Establish a big hairy audacious goal, a BHAG

In his book “Built to Last” Jim Collins studied companies that were designed to be around for a long time. One of the key takeaways from the book was to set big hairy audacious goals (BHAG). Not only do you have to set a goal but you have to set a goal that is intimidating. It’s reachable but you can barely see the edge of it to know that it is reachable. Years ago while “The Dave Ramsey Show” was only on in Nashville, I set a goal of being syndicated across the country. I knew it was possible but I knew it would take a lot of work to get there.

2. Plan out the smaller steps that will lead you to accomplish your BHAG

Once you’ve set that barely-on-your-tiptoes goal, then it’s time to start building a ladder. How am I going to get there? Break every sub goal into little bitty steps. Set goals and walk up those steps with purpose. You have to become passionate to reach your BHAG. Hitting each sub goal is a confidence builder – they were milestones. But you won’t know if you are hitting a milestone if you’re wandering to your BHAG so you have to set smaller goals along the way.

3. Find people who have accomplished the same or similar goals and find out how they did it.

Read and research what the experts say and talk to people who have done similar things before. Make sure the experts have actually done something. A lot of “experts” are idiots. They haven’t actually done anything – they have an opinion but no performance.

4. Heed the warnings from the experts, but don’t dwell on the negatives

As you read what the experts say you’ll find a lot of “here’s the problem,” “here’s why it can’t be done.” You’ll read stuff that says you can’t do what you’re trying to do. “The Dave Ramsey Show” has been on the air for 15 years and along the way a lot of experts said we couldn’t do what we’ve done. “It’s impossible to be one of the top five talk radio shows and be independently syndicated and be out of Tennessee.” Just like my radio team, take the warnings but don’t let it psych you out. That’s the difference between high performance achievement and just achievement.

5. Decide what you are willing to give up to hit high performance achievement

To reach your goal you are going to have to give up some things so decide what you are willing to give up. For our radio show to get where it is our team has had to sacrifice some things – time, sleep, travel and many other things.

6. Keep away from negative people and get around positive influences.

Callers tell me all the time that their family tells them they will never be out of debt. To reach your BHAG don’t hang around negative people. Get positive influences around you. Tell them what you are doing and make them your cheerleaders. Their positive comments will give you energy.

7. Execute your plan in your mind, repeatedly

Professional athletes talk about visualizing and visualizing and visualizing catching the ball. Visualize what it’s going to feel like to score the touch down. Over and over and over again, lay out the steps to your BHAG in your brain.

8. When you win, enjoy it! Celebrate!

Lastly when you hit the win enjoy it. Celebrate! Too many people run a marathon and have the blues the next day. Celebrate and then set another goal. Your expectations are permanently changed once you reach your goals. When you are standing on your past performance you have a different view of things – that’s when organizations get built and communities get changed. That’s when you’re a high performance achiever. It’s called experience.

Begin your marathon training today. Forget the sprint—forget the immediate gratification – remember slow and steady will always win the race. Where ever you are in your life or business, become a marathoner with the above principles. Train, work, steady, constant forward movement, perform and never, never, never quit.