The Mindset Behind High Performance

Earn Your Spot: Are You Showing Up Like You Deserve to Be on the Team?

I hope your week is going well. Mine’s been a mix of playing pickleball, coaching my clients, building my new program, and working with the start-up team where I serve as the Mindset and Team Performance Coach.

Reflecting on both sport and start-ups, I’ve noticed they share a powerful philosophy about being part of a team — one we can all learn from.

Earn Your Spot

In a high-performing start-up or elite sports team, you don’t just get a spot — you earn it.

Every. Single. Day.

And coaches? If their team doesn’t perform, they’re often ousted. Just look at Eddie Jones, who was out after the Wallabies’ poor World Cup showing, or Justin Langer, who stepped down from the Australian cricket team despite recent trophies.

• It might seem harsh, but in high-performance arenas, you’re only as good as your current results.
• Titles don’t guarantee security.
• Ratings don’t always equal results.
• Performance does.
• Performance Over Entitlement.

This made me reflect on how different things are in many traditional workplaces — especially large organisations or government roles.

In some systems, it’s difficult to move someone on, even when they’re underperforming.Too often, entitlement and ego replace accountability.

But in high-performance environments — whether in business, sport, or entrepreneurship — that mindset simply doesn’t cut it. You have to earn your spot.

What If You Had to Earn Your Spot Again?

What if we all held ourselves to that same high standard in our own businesses, careers, or teams?

✅ Would your clients or team give you a vote of confidence to stay on the field?
✅ Are you growing enough to earn your place — or have you slipped into a comfort zone?

Yesterday’s results don’t guarantee today’s spot.

Your current status isn’t permanent — it’s earned by what you bring today. And to bring your best, you have to develop the right attitude, an open and growth oriented mindset for success.

“Accountability is not a consequence. It’s a culture. When leaders are accountable, everyone else follows suit.”
— Rudy Giuliani

As Mayor of New York City, Giuliani publicly shared his daily schedule and held department heads accountable based on real data.

This culture of visibility and personal responsibility produced real results — because when people know they’re being trusted to deliver, they rise. They tap into the traits of high performers, as discussed in this article, about the Navy Seals.

“A company is a group of people gathered to create a product or service. And so if you’re part of that team, your contribution has to be greater than the cost of your salary — otherwise, you’re a net negative.”
— Elon Musk

What If You’re Not Performing at Your Best Right Now?

• What if you’ve been stood down, overlooked, or demoted?
  What if, deep down, you know you’re not showing up fully — coasting, lacking motivation, and falling short of your potential?
• Then your job isn’t to justify it, make excuses, or ignore it.

It’s to take intentional action to change it, and to earn your spot again. As the wise Stoic Epictetus says:

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” – Epictetus

That starts with self-awareness: recognising what’s not working and reigniting your desire to grow. Additionally, not taking things personally, and focus on small improvements. This is where embracing the philosophy of one percent is helpful. Think Team Sky and David Brailsford’s brilliant successes.

Reset Your Mindset. Show Up With Purpose.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
But you do need to take action.

Whether that’s upskilling, shifting habits, revisiting the fundamentals, or seeking support, the moment you decide to earn your spot again, everything changes. If you’re on a team, there are always others waiting on the sidelines, ready to take your place.
Because in business, if you’re not earning your spot — every day, with your clients, your focus, and your results, you’re already being replaced by someone who is.

Perform as if you are committed to earn your spot even when no-one is watching

Every day is a new chance to bring your best and act like the professional you aspire to be — even when no one is watching.

Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or part of a group, self-awareness and self-accountability are the driving forces behind lasting growth and success.

The message is the same:

Earn your spot. Then keep earning it.

So… are you truly earning your spot — or just holding it?

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