An introduction to the X-Treme Executive CLUB Program
Congratulations on taking a big step towards illuminating your gifts and distinguishing yourself as a renowned leader. Your choice to select and work with this playbook suggests that you are one of those unique, self-betting individuals with high ambition. You see yourself always operating at a higher level, producing bigger results with greater enjoyment.
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ProTilly 's Exceptional Strengths & Preferences Program, X-Treme Executive Program, and associated program references herein are ProTilly's intellectual property. They are designed for your personal use as thinking tools. Attempting to teach or coach our tools and concepts or claim them as your own is prohibited and will be protected with legal intervention if necessary.
Copywrite 2024. ProTilly Inc. & Marie Chindamo. All Rights Reserved
"In my career, I have observed how successful executive leadership starts with the same mindset as a professional athlete. There are thousands of pro athletes currently active, and there are hundreds of thousands of proexecutives. Albeit impressive, being a pro is not what we are aiming for with this program. This is about being part of an elite group of X-Treme Executives - leaders who redefine the limits to success." Marie Chindamo, ProTilly Founder
ProTilly's X-Treme Executive Program brings together leaders who strive to work and collaborate with other X-Treme executives. The goal is to Ten-X your achievements.
This playbook will help you begin to savagely construct the environment to promote your unique and incomparable legendary successes so that what seems abnormal in your existing environment will now seem normal unleashing exponentially greater visions and aspirations.
We will explore the shared mindsets of extreme athletes like Alessia Zecchini, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alex Honnold, and Diana Nyad. By examining their success factors, we will have a roadmap to harness your unique strengths and interests, fueling your transformation of passion into purpose with inspiration and motivation.
X-Treme Examples
"Everything is always impossible until someone does it." - Nelson Mandella
1
Alessia Zecchini
Alessia is a world champion in freediving, a multiple world record holder in 6 freediving disciplines and the holder of 38 world records.
"We all have an extraordinary power. We have the power to control our minds, in order to overcome life's challenges – in sport or other areas."
2
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold knew he was born for something special and big from a young age. At the age of 20, Arnold was the youngest Mr. Universe ever. Even in politics, he had a very clear vision of what he wanted to accomplish as governor of California.
"The majority of people don't like what they are doing because they either don't have a goal or are not following their goal. Therefore, what they are doing is not fun."
1
Alex Honnold
Alex was the first person to free solo a route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and completed a 2,900-foot climb without a rope, partner, or any protective gear.
"Staying calm and performing your best when you know that any mistake could mean death requires a certain kind of mindset. I worked to cultivate that mindset through visualization, which means imagining the entire experience."
2
Diana Nyad
In 2013, at the age of 64, after four previously failed attempts, Diana executed a feat of almost unbelievable human endurance when she swam more than 100 miles from Cuba to Florida, spending more than 53 hours in shark- and jellyfish-infested waters.
"Whatever your other shore is, whatever you must do, whatever inspires you - you will find a way to get there."
Five-Step M.IN.D. Set Process
"Determined imagination, thinking from the end, is the beginning of all miracles." – Neville Goddard
Step 1: Use Your Power of Visualization & Will
"When you are passionate for something, you can't help thinking about it, working on it, and talking about it. That's not something ephemeral. Its very deep, it speaks to the heart of your identity." - Alessia Zechinni
These ideas are interconnected. Your passion drives your vision forward. Visualizing is crucial for the creative journey and the end result, and above all, it strengthens your determination. Our Will is among our most important abilities, enabling us to be laser-focused on one idea while disregarding external distractions.
When you clarify your vision, it becomes simpler to concentrate and sift through your surroundings for the resources and tasks that align with turning your vision (passion) into your ultimate goal.
- Grab a notebook and set aside time to allow your mind to roam.
- Visualize yourself at the point of the success you seek. Write about what you see. How are you spending your days?
Write it down! Be detailed! Use "I am..." or "I have..." statements as if they already exist.
"Every day we have the power to make our own time in order to regenerate, focus and train, with the objective of giving direction to our own life, and follow our individual passion." - Alessia Zecchini
Identify Your Personal Vision
What are your aspirations in life, or even just for the next few years? Defining your mission clearly can enhance your concentration on your ultimate objective. This concentration enables you to recognize success more distinctly.
List at least 3 answers for each, writing as if it already happened.
Things I want most out of my work. (List your emotional successes.)
Things I would like to experience in my career. (Describe the benefits to others as a result.)
Things that make me unique. What are your gifts?
Actions I can undertake in my life this year. Start with, "I can…"
Steps to Writing Your Vision Statement
"Do you know how great it felt to know where I was going? I was so relieved because when you have a goal, when you have a vision, everything becomes easy." - Arnold Schwarzenegger
Circling the one most important item from each box on the previous page. Use the space below to complete each sentence.
(insert item circled in column 4)
I will ….
(insert item circled in column 3)
Using my…
(insert item from column 2)
to accomplish…
(insert item from column 1)
and in doing so will also achieve…
Identity your "WHYs" that drive your ambition
"WHY corresponds to the limbic brain, which is responsible for our feelings, such as trust and loyalty. This part of the brain drives all human behavior and decision making but has no capacity for language." -Simon Sinek
Hidden in your vision statement are your "WHYs." This is where your passion turns to purpose. Look closely at your answers in column one. These are your emotional successes and passions. How you use them to impact others - your purpose, is within your answers listed in column two.
Establishing why your goal is important directly improves your selective attention. Your mind will be primed to filter all the data coming in and focus on what is relevant and important to your goal. More importantly, when your "WHY" is strong, so is your motivation to move through obstacles. Our eyes only see, and our ears only hear what our brain is looking for.
It is helpful to ask yourself "why?" at least three times. Typically the answer to your third "why" is the root of your passion.
MY WHY WORKSHEET
"Any idea that is held in the mind that's emphasized, that's either feared or revered will begin at once to clothe itself in the most convenient and appropriate form available." - Andrew Carnegie
Step Three: Use the Obstacles to Build Your Strategy
"If the path before you is clear, you are probably on someone else's." - Carl Jung
Now that you have your vision statement and profound reasons to fulfill your aspirations, we must map out & clear the path ahead.
Objections are almost always rooted in fear. Successful people set themselves apart because they can see the opportunities inside the obstacles. When we build your action plan, you will dismantle the obstacles, step-by-step, action by action.
Passion for your "WHY" is your motivation to move through obstacles.
Example Strategy
BUILD YOUR STRATEGY
"The sport is a microcosm of life itself. You are going to hit obstacles be ready." - Diana Nyad
Transform each obstacle into a strategy. Determine an action or solution for each. Consider the resources, people, technology, and expertise to help accomplish your goals.
My Vision:
Step Four: Find Your People to Expand Your Visions
"No matter how brilliant your mind or strategy, if you're playing a solo game, you'll always lose out to a team." - Reid Hoffman
Establishing meaningful relationships is crucial for personal growth and development. Having the right connections can boost your effectiveness by providing valuable support, diverse viewpoints, the opportunity to enhance your abilities, and to resources to advance your goals.
High-quality relationships provide access to knowledge, resources, skills, and perspectives that can bolster your objectives. Choose mentors who have done what you are seeking.
You reciprocate as you share your strengths and skills, either for compensation or barter of services.
"The mental concentration of 53 hours of nonstop swimming is something to behold and respect. The physical duress is something to behold as well but never, ever, ever, could I do this without this team here." - Diana Nyad
Diana gathered together the world's leading experts to help her execute her dream.
Learn from Your People
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." - Laozi
Your "People" are within your reach and accessible in many ways.
Authors, podcasters, colleagues, subject-area experts, cohorts in mastermind groups, are some of the many examples.
Permit them to do what they are passionate about. Along the way, fill your brain with knowledge
By teaming up with others, you get to focus on flexing your awesome skills and swap them for tasks that fall outside of your strengths and preferences.
Diana Nyad's had to solve for:
- 90% chance of adverse winds
- 90% chance of high waves
- 70% chance of currents (specifically the powerful Gulf steam)
- 30% chance of navigational errors
- 30% chance of seasickness
- 10% chance of sharks
- 70% chance of jellyfish
- Consistent nutritional input every 60-90 mins.
By delegating these obstacles to other professionals, Diana was able to completely focus on her unique skill.
Delegate to Your People
This has a twofold benefit.
Delegating to others offers them the opportunity act on their strengths & preferences.
When you identify and act on your preferences, you'll embrace and epitomize your purpose. Your purpose helps others achieve their goals.
WHO IS INVOLVED?
Divide your obstacles into manageable project segments and pinpoint individuals who can assist you by sharing their expertise or by involving them in your tasks.
Exceptional Strengths & Preferences
"We shape our life by deciding to pay attention to it. It is the direction of our attention and its intensity that will determines what we accomplish and how well." - Csikszentmihalyi
Ever notice how time seems to fly when you're doing something you love? It's not just a feeling—enjoyment can actually make your time more effective and productive. Not only do we all have unique strengths, but we all have preferences in processing information, making decisions, interacting with others, and channeling our energy.
We all have two different states of consciousness that we toggle between the Conscious State and the Less-Conscious. The process of transitioning energy between them is your preference flow.
These graphs are just for illustration. Every person has a unique set of energies, and preference flow. *
This is the part of the personality where who we are interacts with who we are expected to be.
The preference flow is the shift of energy needed for you to transition from the "instinctive" you.
The part of the personality that exists when you are not controlling how you present yourself to the world.
*The graphs and terms are taken from Insights Discovery, which ProTilly holds as a currently licensed practitioner.
"It is how we choose what we do, and how we approach it, that will determine whether the sum of our days adds up to a formless blur, or to something resembling a work of art." - Csikszentmihalyi
Understanding Your Preferences Helps You Master Time by:
Increased Focus and Engagement
When you enjoy your work, you're naturally more focused and engaged. This leads to higher-quality output, fewer distractions, and more efficient use of time.
Enhanced Creativity, Innovation, and Motivation
Passion fuels creativity. When you're passionate about what you do, you're more likely to come up with innovative ideas and solutions and remain motivated, which accelerates your progress.
Eliminated Recovery Time
When you engage in activities that are outside of your preferences, you naturally seek opportunities to recover and refill your mental and physical energy stores. Therefore, focusing the majority of your time on your preferred activities reduces down time.
The primary objective is to concentrate on high-quality tasks and delegate everything else to individuals with suitable strengths and preferences. Engaging in tasks that require us to shift our preferred energy focus is beneficial, it is essential for adaptation and building connections. However, when aiming to dedicate quality time in a state of flow, it's crucial to recognize the energy that sustains this state and understand how to recuperate from excess energy spent transitioning between different aspects of ourselves.
Ask about ProTilly's Exceptional Strengths & Preferences ("E.S.P.") program, which incorporates Insights Discovery to thoroughly analyze your personas, strengths, preferences, and blind spots.
Step Five: Commit to the most impactful actions
"The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times . . The best moments usually occur if a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile." -Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Make
Your Superpower!
"It is not the first strike, nor the last, that splits the boulder. It's all of the strikes combined." - Marie Chindamo
Once you've got your game plan set, your crew assembled, and your sights locked in, it's time for the last secret—persistence! Stay committed to hammering away at that big rock of yours. You might not spot the crack right away, and you may become fearful that it is all too risky, but trust me, it's forming, and you're on the right track. Keep on hammering away!
"Many of the moves I knew through sheer repetition. Once I found sequences that were secure and repeatable, I had to memorize them. I had to make sure they were so deeply ingrained within me that there was no possibility of error. Doubt is the precursor to fear, and I know that I couldn't experience my perfect moment if I were afraid." - Alex Honnold
Alex repeated his route for a minimum of 2 years before he climbed El Cap free-solo.
Make a commitment plan to keep motivated following these 4 steps, the following is an example:
1. Read your goals daily (What change do you want to see in the world?)
I inspire leaders to create productive, fun, & inspiring workplaces.
Choose What you Clothe
"Any idea that is held in the mind that's emphasized, that's either feared or revered will begin at once to clothe itself in the most convenient and appropriate form available." - Andrew Carnegie
We perfect our craft through repitition.
"I found pleasure in every rep and set I did at the gym because I knew that each one took me one step closer to my goal." - Arnold Schwarzenegger
Need more Insight or Support?
Feeling overwhelmed or unsure about your true calling is a common experience. The extreme athletes highlighted in this guide appear to have everything under control. Despite their apparent clarity in direction, they didn't navigate their journey alone.
Team up with someone who is both intelligent and compassionate, share this guide and prepare to support each other. Simply discussing your goals and aspirations can yield significant advantages as long as you maintain a resilient mindset to counter any negative influences.
I have full confidence in your abilities and believe you will achieve great success by following this plan. If you ever feel stuck, don't worry – solutions are available. Let me assist you in developing an unstoppable strategy. Here are several options for you:
- Our 'no-strings-attached' complimentary 30-minute coaching call
- Group Mastermind Coaching sessions, an economical way to experience coaching and surround yourself with other brilliant X-Treme executives committed to performing at extraordinary levels
- Quarterly M.IN.D Set Webinars (join our mailing list for more info)
- One-on-one VIP coaching packages
"A coach is very important for myriad reasons. When the athlete is performing, the coach is watching the form, the thought processes and the mindset." - Diana Nyad's Coach, Bonnie Stoll
"Each one of us has tremendous reservoirs of talent. Emphasize your goals. Believe this deep in your soul and set out to accomplish what you are put on Earth to do." - Marie Chindamo
"Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives-choice, not chance determines your destiny." -Aristotle