How To Stay At The Top Of Your Game

Too busy and finding it hard to stay at the top of your game? This bestselling author and award-winning journalist has the trick.

By Natasha Khullar Relph

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My biggest strength—and therefore, my biggest flaw—is that I’m a perfectionist.

If I’m doing something, even if it’s a blog post or a small freebie for promotional purposes, I’m going to make sure that it’s something I’m proud of putting my name on. I don’t take shortcuts and I don’t like people who do. This means that I’m overworked and overwhelmed a lot, but it also means that I, at least in my own head, feel that I’m kickass. (It’s also why I’ve learned to say No to a lot of things.)

But there’s a limit to how kickass you can be if you’re constantly performing at high levels and hurtling down the road at top speed.

Here are a few things you can incorporate into your every day to make sure you always stay at the top of your game, no matter how busy you are.

1. Set boundaries. Only take on what you know you can do well. Delegate the rest.

2. Read a lot. I’m always a bit unsure when someone proclaims (usually very loudly and proudly) that they don’t read self-help books. How do you learn then, I want to ask them. I read somewhere that reading a nonfiction book is like inviting a mentor into your own home and having a training session with them. People don’t hold back in their books, they give you their best stuff. So whenever I have a problem, need inspiration, or just want to be motivated, books are where I go to find it.

3. Ask someone you respect out to coffee or lunch.

4. Sleep. Self care. Routine. The three things most self-employed parents I know struggle with. Simple, but they can make a huge difference.

5. Ask for help. Accept it graciously when offered.

6. Demand high standards from the people you employ, especially if they’re your representatives in the world (for instance your agents, your manager, etc.)

7. Look good. The days that I’m an unwashed pajama-wearing mommy are usually not the days when I’m going to be negotiating high deals. Go figure.

8. Go running. It’s the best exercise I can think of that costs nothing, brings you closer to nature (unless you’re sweating it out on the treadmill), and really refreshes your brain.

9. Be prompt. I’ll tip my hat to David Allen for the wonderful tip that if you can do it in two minutes or less, just do it and get it off your mind. If it’s going to take more than that, then you can file it away. This works, especially for e-mails. (And I struggle with it, I’ll be honest.)

10. One of the best ways to stay at the top of your game is to learn new skills, grow your knowledge, and practice working with people who’ve been there before you.

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