The Peak Performance Mindset: Why Focusing on 'What Went Well' Matters

In fast-paced environments, where the pressure to deliver results is relentless, it’s natural to be critical of our own performance: the instinct to focus on what didn’t go well seems almost hardwired into us.

Today, I want to challenge that tendency and explore how focusing on what went well—rather than what didn’t—can drive not just better outcomes, but also greater resilience and long-term success.

Train yourself to notice and celebrate your successes

This isn’t about blind positivity or ignoring challenges. It’s about reprogramming how our brains process the daily wins and losses in our careers. Neuroscience shows that our brains naturally gravitate toward threats—an ancient survival instinct that no longer serves us in today’s corporate landscape. The challenge is to shift from that default mindset, to train ourselves to notice and celebrate our successes, and, ultimately, to build new neural pathways that lead to peak performance.

Let’s break this down, and I’ll share actionable steps you can take, to start making this mindset shift today.

🔵The Power of Perspective: Moving from Survival Mode to Growth

For many of us, focusing on what went wrong is almost a reflex. Maybe you’ve had a great week with multiple wins, but there’s one meeting, one project, or one comment that didn’t land as you expected. And that’s what sticks with you, even when everything else has gone brilliantly. This focus on the negative is not just mentally exhausting—it’s counterproductive.

When we focus on the negatives, we reinforce pathways in our brains that keep us stuck in a loop of self-criticism and stress. Over time, this affects not only our mental wellbeing but also our ability to perform at our best. The real work lies in breaking free from this loop and training your brain to notice, acknowledge, and celebrate the positives.

This is deeper than simply “thinking positive.” Positive thinking, on its own, can often feel superficial—especially when we don’t truly believe it. Instead, we need to dig deeper and engage in real, meaningful inner work that allows us to hold up a mirror and identify the subconscious beliefs that hold us back.

🔵Why Focusing on What Went Well Matters

There are powerful reasons why shifting our focus to what went well can drive peak performance, both personally and professionally.

🌟It boosts resilience: By regularly focusing on successes, no matter how small, we train ourselves to recover more quickly from setbacks. This resilience is critical in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure tech environments.

🌟It strengthens your leadership presence: Leaders who model a mindset of growth and positivity create more engaged, productive, and solution-focused teams. Your mindset sets the tone for the culture of those around you.

It strengthens your leadership presence

🌟It enhances creativity and problem-solving: When you focus on what went well, your brain becomes more solution-focused. Instead of getting bogged down in what didn’t work, you’re able to see opportunities for improvement and growth.

🌟It promotes long-term success: Success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about consistently building on small wins. When you focus on those wins, you build momentum, which leads to greater long-term success.

🌟It improves emotional well-being: Recognising the good in your life, even during stressful times, helps you maintain a balanced perspective. This is critical to sustaining energy and enthusiasm, even in high-pressure roles.

🔵Practical Strategies for Shifting Focus to What Went Well

So, how do you actually reprogram your brain to focus on the positives?

Here are five practical strategies to help you shift your mindset and start seeing results:

1.   Start a Gratitude Practice

This is a foundational exercise that many of my clients find transformative. Every day, write down three things you’re grateful for. These don’t have to be monumental achievements—sometimes, they’re as simple as having a smooth commute to work, or having an energising conversation with a colleague.

Start a Gratitude Practice

The key is consistency. The more you practise gratitude, the more your brain will naturally start to notice the positives in your life and career. Over time, this simple practice rewires your brain to focus on what’s working rather than what’s not.

2.   Use the 5:1 Rule

For every one negative thought or setback, challenge yourself to find five things that went well. This could be as simple as recognising that you delivered a great presentation, handled a difficult conversation effectively, or managed your time well.

The 5:1 rule helps balance the natural negativity bias that many of us have. It’s not about ignoring the challenges—it’s about ensuring they don’t overshadow everything else.

3.  Celebrate Weekly Wins

Take time at the end of each week to reflect on your wins. What went well? What progress did you make, no matter how small? This regular reflection not only boosts your confidence but also helps you maintain momentum in your career.

Over time, you’ll start to see just how much you’ve achieved, even in the busiest or most challenging weeks.

Take time at the end of each week to reflect on your wins.

4.   Reframe Setbacks as Learning Opportunities

When things don’t go according to plan, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?” Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, start seeing them as valuable learning experiences. This reframe helps you stay focused on growth and improvement, rather than getting stuck in self-criticism.

5.  Engage in Mindful Reflection

After key events—whether it’s a meeting, presentation, or conversation—take a few minutes to reflect on what went well before you start evaluating what could be improved. This shift in focus helps reinforce the positives, while still leaving room for constructive feedback.

🔵The Benefits of Shifting Your Focus

By consistently implementing these strategies, you’ll start to notice several key benefits, both in your career and your personal life:

💥Increased productivity: Focusing on what went well makes you more effective and less bogged down by distractions and negativity.

💥Stronger emotional resilience: A positive mindset helps you handle setbacks with more grace and stability, allowing you to bounce back faster.

💥Enhanced leadership presence: By focusing on what’s working, you’ll create a more positive, engaged environment for those around you.

💥Greater overall well-being: Shifting your focus to the positives will improve your mental and emotional health, helping you avoid burnout and maintain energy levels.

The Many Benefits of Shifting Your Focus...

🔵Making the Shift: A Commitment to Growth

The strategies I’ve shared are simple but not necessarily easy. They require consistency, patience, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. But the rewards are immense. By making a conscious effort to focus on what went well, you’ll unlock new levels of resilience, creativity, and leadership in both your career and your personal life.

So, my invitation to you is this: try one or two of these strategies over the next week -

Start small: Reflect on your weekly wins, write down what you’re grateful for, or reframe a recent setback as a learning opportunity.

And as you do, notice the subtle but powerful shifts in how you approach your work and your life.

Because when you train your brain to focus on what went well, you’re not just enhancing your performance—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success.

Brain Training: Set yourself up for long-term success!