My kids used to do a lot of swimming when they were younger. I recall that, during training sessions, the coaches would divide the swimmers up into “lanes” based on their times. The fastest swimmers would be in one lane, the next fastest in the next lane, and so on. Then, the fasted swimmer in each lane, who was assigned the “lane leader,” would set the pace for the group within each lane.
Every couple of weeks there would be shifts within the groups – someone might go from “lane leader” in lane #2 to back of the pack in lane #1. Or someone might overtake the “lane leader” in lane #1 and become the pace setter. Every once in a while the coach might move someone from lane #3 up to lane #1 just to “push” them and see if that swimmer had a different gear that they could access by swimming in a different group. Also, there were times a lane leader from lanes #1 or #2 might go down to lane #4 and “train” those swimmers.
What becomes interesting is when people get to “choose their lane.” Who chooses to be the lane leader? Who moves up a lane to push themselves? Who slides down a lane to coast and not work as hard? This is telling in itself.
In the golf world, we see the same thing. Some people will only play golf with people that they know that they can beat. Some will only play with people that are way better than they are and that they can learn from. Some will stay within their comfort zone of players of equal ability.
I will have you consider that to maximize performance, the best thing that we can do is to spend time in each environment. To break through performance barriers, put yourself into situations where you are the weakest link trying to keep up. Find a group – we’ll call it your PLUS GROUP – that will force you to improve your skillsets and mindsets to keep up. Keep in mind, that you can’t operate at “full throttle” all of the time, so…
You must also have a NEUTRAL GROUP which is your comfort zone. This is the group that keeps you at baseline and that you operate with day-in-and-day-out. This is the group of peers who have the most similar skillsets and mindset as you do. Some days you may be the “lane leader” and other days it’s someone else, but everyone is pretty equal in this group. But, this can create complacency, so…
You must also find a MINUS GROUP, where you are the teacher. A group where you can share your knowledge and experience to help those around you grow. This is important because it is in teaching our skillsets and mindsets where we truly solidify them. First you learn (plus group), then you do (neutral group), then you teach (minus group).
The reality is that most of us find our NEUTRAL GROUP and never shift out of it. We get comfortable and accustomed to the pace and expectations of that group and stay there. In my experience, all of the growth happens in the margins…the plus and minus groups. Yet, so often we choose not to participate in those groups. We “stay in our lane.”
Where in your personal or professional life are you stuck in neutral? Your plus group and your minus group are out there…if you’re willing to jump into that lane.
GRIT 
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