8 Ways to Great: Peak Performance on the Job and in Your Life

Read Dr. Doug Hirschhorn's posts on the Penguin Blog.

Discover the success secrets of top performers who thrive in today's toughest frontline corporate jobs

Hard-hitting and pragmatic, Hirschhorn's no-nonsense advice has inspired thousands via his lectures, one-on-one coaching, and media appearances. But 8 Ways to Great goes beyond inspiration to provide the practical tools that anyone can use-no matter what their profession or personal goals-to break through self-defeating behaviors and deluded thinking to truly excel.

1. Let your true passion be your core motivation.

2. Develop self-awareness and use what you know about both your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Set goals and game plans-and learn to love this process, because it is all about the process.

4. Identify your competitive advantage-what sets you apart and what will turn the odds in your favor.

5. Develop inner confidence that keeps you from judging yourself based on other's standards and expectations.

6. Keep your cool-and don't let emotions dictate your decisions.

7. Take risks yet act intelligently with imperfect information.

8. Be accountable.

Dr. Doug Hirschhorn is a performance coach and executive trainer schooled in sports psychology and experienced on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, who talks the talk and walks the walk when it come to his job—to coach high achievers in the trading business from good to exceptional. He has conducted more than 400 workshops at financial institutions, multi-billion dollar hedge funds, and corporations across the country in addition to his one-on-one coaching. He has appeared on "The Today Show" and repeatedly on a host of CNBC programs, including "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch," "Fast Money," "Power Lunch," "The Millionaire Inside," "Squawk on the Street" and "Closing Bell."