Necessity is the emotional drive that makes great performance a must instead of a preference.As opposed to weaker desires that make you want to do something, necessity demands that you take action.  When you feel necessity, you don’t sit around hoping things happen, you get things done…because you have to.Necessity is there when it feels right to do something, and if you didn’t do it, you find yourself feeling bad about it.  If you don’t show up, you begin to feel like you are not living up to your standards, not meeting your obligations, or fulfilling your potential.  Necessity inspires a higher level of  motivation than usual because your personal identity is involved….creating an urgency to act.High performers work so hard and stay so focused and committed because “It’s just who I am”.  They have a sense of obligation…people need them, and are counting on them.  You have a deep emotional drive to succeeding and consistently force yourself to work hard, stay disciplined, and push yourself.You won’t become extraordinary without the sense that it is absolutely necessary to excel.  The Four Forces of Necessity: Identity:  Make succeeding at what you do part of your identity.  If we don’t hit those real goals, and follow the agreed to process, then we are not being who we are.  Our actions are not in alignment with who we say we are.Obsession:  Be obsessed.  Its ok. When you are passionate about what you do, people understand.  When you are obsessed, they think you are mad.Duty:  This goes beyond desire.  It goes beyond want. It’s an obligation.  It is your duty to others.Urgency:  We always work with a sense of urgency and from of place of true necessity.  You add deadlines to everything that matters.“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence regardless of their chosen field of endeavor” – Vince Lombardi.This is true whether or not they chose the task or enjoy the task.  An athlete may not enjoy the workout, but they do it as they see themselves as an elite athlete willing to increase their performance. Satisfaction is not the cause of great performance…its the result.  High performers care about excellence so they put more effort into their activity…They are driven to want to do a good job.  They self monitor their behavior and performance goals.  They know their standards and check in on whether or not they are living up to that standard.  Ask yourself each day:  Did I perform with excellence today?  Did I live up to my values and expectations for giving my best and doing a good job?  Even when motivation and passion ebbs, even when you fail, even when rewards and recognition come too far apart, even when people criticize, even when all the signs say to quit…this pushes past grit…and moves into obsession.   Raise necessity for exceptional performance.  How?  Brendon suggest the following 3 steps:

1. Know who needs your A game.  We will work harder for others.  Some days you may struggle with what YOU need to do. Perhaps you have what you want at that moment. However there is ALWAYS someone that you can work for, show up for, and perform for. So, who needs your ‘A Game’ today?
2. Affirm the why.  Consistently affirm and confirm your why.
3. Level up your squad.  Talent surrounds itself with talent.  Always.

Remember, we don’t have to do anything.  You don’t have to show up for life, for work, for family.   You don’t have to climb out of bed on a difficult day.  You don’t have to care about being the best that you can be.  Yet, some people feel like they have to.  Why?  One of the most powerful drivers of human motivation and excellence:  performance necessity.