Peak Performance (5 of 12): Coping Well with Stress

The practice of coping well with stress distinguishes the novices from the professionals in the game of peak performance.

Those believers, when the people said, “Verily, the people have gathered against you. So, fear them!”, absolutely increased in faith, and they, the believers, said, “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the most excellent Guardian of the Law!” So they returned with the grace of Allah and His great favor, untouched by any evil. For they had followed the good pleasure of Allah, and Allah alone is the Possessor of Magnificent Bounty. Indeed, that voice of despair is only from Satan, prompting your hearts with fear of his patrons. So, do not fear them, but fear Me (Allah), if indeed you are believers! – Quran 3: 173-175

Peak Performance (4 of 12): Total Commitment

Total commitment almost always guarantees peak performance in reaching your goals.

To explain this point, the Quran states that those who are unconditionally committed to submission to their lord (e.g. being Muslim) and follow His Messenger will attain success in this life and the Hereafter.

The answer of the Believers, when summoned to Allah and His Messenger, in order that He may judge between them, is no other than this: they say, “We hear and we obey”; it is such as these people who will attain success. – Quran 24:51

Peak Performance (3 of 12): Strong Performance Focus

It is the statement which Umar ibn Al-Khattab began one of his khutbahs with. It is the statement which both Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim began their collections of saheeh hadeeth with. It is that same statement which almost all the scholars, both past and present, begin writing their books with.

The pivotal concept that Muhammed (SAW) described so succinctly (the interpretation of which) is…

“Surely, all actions are driven by intentions, and, verily, man shall have what he intended.”