How to Build a Personal Operating Framework for High Performers

Stop managing time. Start mastering energy. After coaching over 200+ executives, I've learned that the high-performers prioritize their energy not their time. Here's what they've shared with me (save this): 1/ Decision Energy Optimization ↳ Map your peak alertness hours (track for 5 days) ↳ Schedule critical decisions before 2pm ↳ Create a "power hour" buffer before board meetings 2/ Strategic Recovery Design ↳ Implement the Navy SEAL 4x4 breath work (4 seconds in, 4 out) ↳ Book 20-min gaps between high-stakes meetings ↳ Use "walking meetings" for 1:1s (movement = energy) 3/ Cognitive Load Management ↳ Batch similar tasks in 90-min blocks ↳ Use "two-minute previews" before switching contexts ↳ Clear mental tabs with a daily brain dump (5 mins, end of day) 4/ Energy-First Calendar Defense ↳ Rate meetings from 1-3 (energy give vs. take) ↳ Front-load relationship building before 11am ↳ Create "untouchable Thursdays" for deep work 5/ High-Impact Recovery Protocols ↳ Master the 3-2-1 reset (3 deep breaths, 2 stretches, 1 intention) ↳ Schedule "micro-breaks" (7-12 mins) after lunch ↳ Use "energy gates" (10-min buffers) between major transitions 6/ Presence Activation Tactics ↳ Activate the 2-minute centering ritual before important meetings ↳ Use "power phrases" in private before presentations ↳ Practice selective unavailability (block "focus hours" daily) 7/ Environmental Energy Design ↳ Make their desk an "energy zone" ↳ Create a "recharge corner" in your office ↳ Mute the chaos (noise canceling earbuds) 8/ Relationship Energy Management ↳ Identify your top 5 energy amplifiers (schedule them weekly) ↳ List your energy vampires (limit exposure to 30 min) ↳ Build your "energy board of directors" (5 people who elevate you) 9/ Peak State Activation ↳ Create your "power playlist" (60-90 motivation seconds) ↳ Design your "pre-game ritual" (specific sequence before big events) ↳ Use "anchor phrases" for instant state transformation 10/ Sustainable Excellence Framework ↳ Track energy levels hourly for one week (use 1-10 scale) ↳ Implement "recovery days" after high-intensity weeks ↳ Create your "minimum viable recovery" protocol (3 non-negotiables) Reality check: Your energy capacity is your competitive advantage. Not your ability to outlast everyone else. Which tactic will you implement in the next 24 hours? ♻️ Share to help a leader thrive 🔖 Save this guide for your next energy audit 🎯 Follow me (Loren) for more high-performance tactics

The number one reason top sales reps burn out isn't quota pressure. It's because they work incredibly hard at their job but completely neglect working hard on themselves. Here's what I discovered managing a $195M sales organization: The reps who lasted and thrived weren't the ones grinding 12-hour days in their CRM. They were the ones who built systematic approaches to their entire life. Sales is a game of habits, not just hustle. When you only focus on quota, you're building a house on sand. When you work on yourself systematically, everything improves. The top performers I mentored used what I call the four-part productivity system: #1 The PACER Calendar Method. They color-coded their calendars into five buckets: Personal (purple), Admin/Action (red), Creation (deep work), Enrichment (learning), and Recovery (yellow). This prevented them from being reactive to whatever hit their inbox. #2 12-Week Planning. Instead of annual goals, they broke everything into 12-week sprints with clear micro-steps. They knew exactly what to focus on each week to hit their biggest goals. #3 Daily Win System. Every night, they spent 5 minutes journaling three wins, decisions made, and lessons learned. This prevented the "what did I even accomplish?" spiral that kills motivation. #4 Weekly Reset Protocol. Every Friday, they did a 30-60 minute review of energy vs. time, cleared their workspace, and planned the next week intentionally. When they did these, they showed up with more energy, clearer thinking, and better resilience. Your prospects can feel the difference between someone operating from burnout versus someone operating from a place of systematic strength. Stop treating personal development like it's separate from sales performance. When you become a better version of yourself systematically, everyone benefits. Your family, your team, your prospects, your bank account. — Want to build an ELITE routine and mindset? Watch this: https://lnkd.in/gbpFye_t

For years, I thought pure discipline was the key to staying on top. ❌ I was wrong. Discipline is a tool—but it’s not a system. Here’s what high-performing leaders actually use to stay consistent: 1. Energy > Willpower Your brain has limits—stop expecting it to push through fatigue. High performers protect energy before they manage time. Do this: Optimize sleep, nutrition, and recovery like a pro athlete. 2. Systems Over Motivation Discipline fades under stress. Systems remove friction and keep execution automatic. Do this: Design default actions for focus & decision-making. 3. Clarity Kills Overwhelm You don’t need more effort—you need fewer distractions. Unclear priorities = wasted energy. Do this: Start each day with one priority that moves the needle. 4. Emotional Regulation = Peak Performance High achievers manage emotions before they impact output. Do this: Train emotional agility to maintain steady execution, even on tough days. 5. Momentum > Perfection High performers bounce back faster instead of trying to be flawless. Do this: Build fast recovery habits (meditation, movement, environment Shifts). Discipline starts the fire, but these habits keep it burning. Which of these will make the biggest difference for you?  Drop it in the comments. 📌Save this post so you can revisit it when you need a reset.

Most leaders I coach are overwhelmed right now. They’re under immense pressure. Doing the work of three or more people. Trying to lead through change while barely keeping it together. But the problem isn’t effort. It’s capacity. It’s clarity. It’s support. Interestingly, only 28% of leaders say they feel confident making strategic decisions under pressure.(McKinsey) That’s not a performance issue. That’s a training gap. Here’s what I see every week: Underperformers: • React all day • Avoid delegation because it takes too long to explain • Stay buried in execution • Wait until things break before speaking up • Make last-minute, scattered decisions Most leaders: • Delegate, but the work bounces back • Try to think strategically, but never have the space • Say yes to too much • Work harder to outrun the overwhelm • Get stuck doing everything except the work that actually moves the needle High-performers: • Prioritize with precision • Delegate with structure and follow-through • Schedule and protect time to think • Communicate early, directly, and with context • Make confident decisions rooted in business value The difference isn’t talent. It’s method. And it’s teachable. Here’s what we walk through in a High-Performance Executive Coaching session: Step 1: Audit your workload We pull up your calendar and task list. We find the friction, identify the rework, and name what’s quietly draining your capacity. Step 2: Clarify what matters most We define high-value work for your current role and goals. What drives results in the next 90 days? What earns trust, traction, and visibility? Step 3: Rebuild your decision filters We give you a way to sort priorities and requests so you stop reacting, and start leading based on what really matters. Step 4: Delegate with clarity We shift from vague handoffs to fully structured ownership. Your team steps up. You step out of the weeds. Step 5: Schedule and protect time to think We build the structure that gives you space to think, decide, and lead. If you can’t think, you can’t lead. Enough said. This is what high-performers do differently. Not just to stay afloat, but to lead with confidence when the pressure’s high. If this felt uncomfortably familiar, that’s a signal. We coach leaders through this every week. And it works. Let me know if you want an Executive Coaching Session to help get you out of the weeds and into the real work your role demands. #OverwhelmedLeaders #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #HighPerformanceLeadership #Delegation #DecisionMaking

The Daily Non-Negotiables of a Corporate Athlete No one wants to be average. But high performance isn’t luck—it’s built. Structure, discipline, and the right habits create an edge—not just in fitness, but in leadership, decision-making, and execution at work. For me, it starts with an unbreakable daily routine—my seven non-negotiables. Daily Non-Negotiables: (1) Workout – Strength and endurance build resilience, both physically and mentally. Strength training improves energy levels, while cardio enhances endurance and stress management - key for staying sharp in high-pressure environments. (2) 10K Steps – Walking isn’t just movement; it’s mental clarity. It sparks creativity, enhances problem-solving, and provides uninterrupted time to think - critical for making decisions and approaching challenges with fresh perspective. (3) Mobility – This is often overlooked. A spine doctor told me I needed surgery on my L4/L5. Instead, I committed to daily mobility work, and after over a year, my back feels better than ever. Movement is medicine. Mobility reduces stiffness from long hours at a desk, and ensures I can perform at my best—without pain or limitations. (4) 90/10 Mindful Nutrition (Meats, Fruits & Roots) – What you eat directly impacts cognitive function, energy levels, and decision-making. A well-fueled body means sustained focus and the ability to perform at peak levels. Nutrition isn’t just about health - it’s a competitive advantage. (5) Sleep 7+ Hours - No negotiation. Sleep is the foundation of cognitive performance, emotional intelligence, and decision-making under pressure. High performers don’t cut corners on rest because they know a well-rested mind leads to sharper thinking, better leadership, and stronger execution. (6) Do Something Hard – Currently, I do Contrast Therapy: Sauna & Cold Plunge—deliberate exposure to extremes builds resilience, sharpens mental clarity, and trains the body to adapt under stress. The ability to stay calm under discomfort directly translates to managing stress, handling tough conversations, and making sound decisions in high-stakes situations. (7) Learn Something New – Growth compounds. Reading, podcasts, or gaining insight from others expands my perspective, keeps me adaptable, and sharpens my ability to solve complex problems. The best leaders are lifelong learners. High performance isn’t just about doing more, but thinking better. That’s why I schedule personal offsites (QBRs) - dedicated time each quarter to reflect, reset, and level up. Just like businesses need QBRs, so do you. I need space to zoom out and recalibrate. These habits don’t just improve fitness - they sharpen leadership, increase energy, and build the discipline needed to thrive in high-stakes environments. High performance isn’t about luck—it’s about commitment. Show up, level up, and lead by example. What’s in your daily non-negotiables? Drop them below. 👇 #HighPerformance #CorporateAthlete #Leadership #Discipline