Welcome back to Peak Performance Principles, an advanced 7-part productivity series designed to help you operate as the best version of yourself—at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
In the first installment of this series, we covered Principle #1: Finding your Peak Performance Period, which is the time of day when you feel fully charged + ready to take on your most demanding tasks, projects, goals, etc.
Here’s what we’ll be looking at today…
The PIESpread Framework: Discover + Develop the 4 Foundations of Peak Performance
In order to perform at your peak on a perpetual basis, it’s crucial that you continuously renew, refine, and recharge yourself in the following four areas:
→ Physical (PQ)
→ Intellectual/Mental (IQ)
→ Emotional/Social (EQ)
→ Spiritual (SQ)
☝️ These are the four core foundations of peak performance + productivity.
I like to look at them as gifts… Gifts that you and I (and almost every human being) are born with.
Individually, each of these gifts represents a different source of energy.
Together, they form what I call the PIESpread.
Think of each component of the PIESpread like a wheel on a car:
When all four wheels are in good shape—when the tires are evenly inflated and have good tread depth—the car runs like a dream. But if you catch a flat or let your tires go bald, you’ll be in for a bumpy ride.
In order to produce and perform at your peak consistently, you’ve got to fully align, inflate, and optimize your own “wheels.”
In other words: If you want to thrive, if you want your life to run like a dream, you need to ensure you renew and recharge yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—each and every day.
The 4 foundations of peak performance + productivity
Here’s a quick breakdown of each component of the PIESpread:
1. Physical (PQ)
The physical dimension is just what it sounds like. You care for it by eating well, getting enough rest, and exercising regularly (ideally at least five days per week).
If you want your life to run at peak performance levels, approach your work like a professional athlete… Or, as a professional that’s an athlete. Or, maybe a corporate-athlete… No matter what roles we play in life, we’ve got to condition ourselves to do them at an extraordinary level. And that requires a different approach than standard “productivity” advice that focuses on tips, rather than principles. Tips are temporary, principles are forever. Here’s one to remember: When you optimize your physical health, everything else rises too. Train hard, eat well, visualize successful outcomes, and constantly work on improving your game.
2. Mental (IQ)
Many people let their mental dimension suffer once they complete their formal education. What a mistake.
If you want to live a peak performance lifestyle, it’s important to find ways to continue challenging, educating, and feeding your mind (beyond formal schooling).
Whether it’s through books, courses, or anything else – commit to learning something new every day. Read up on industry-specific knowledge to give yourself an edge at work. Read self-development books to grow and round yourself out as an individual.
3. Emotional (EQ)
Your social/emotional dimension has to do with the interpersonal relationships in your life, including your ability to communicate empathetically and cooperate creatively. Our emotional lives are closely connected to our relationships with others.
A great way to sharpen your EQ is to simply start interacting with other people more often: with your co-workers and clients, with your spouse and children, with your friends and family. You could also just get a sales job in a high-traffic retail store—nothing will do more for your emotional intelligence than putting yourself in front of people you’ve never met over and over again.
Let me share a quick secret with you before we move on: You know that little device in your pocket? The one you watch YouTube Shorts on and type out messages with? You can actually use that thing to CALL other human beings, and actually hear their voice! You can have real conversations with it that feel like the other person is right there in the room… Even if they’re across the world! It’s an incredible invention. I think it’s called a phone, or, if you’re feelin’ really fancy, a smart phone. And you might be using it to read these words right now. Look, I know it makes you nervous, but try picking it up and making a call. It’ll sharpen your EQ.
4. Spiritual (SQ)
The spiritual dimension deals with what you consider to be your center. It has to do with the commitments you have to your values.
People renew their spiritual dimension in different ways. Some people turn to prayer, yoga, or meditation. Others read spiritual literature or listen to spiritual music. To some folks, spirituality is about adhering to a religion. For others, spirituality is about practicing mindfulness. Take your pick. For me, establishing a direct line with my Creator has been the single most powerful personal + professional move I’ve ever made. Find something that works for you, and devote some time to strengthening your spiritual dimension daily.
If you want peak performance, you need a well-rounded PIESpread
Neglecting just one of the four core sources of energy in the PIESpread can lead to poor performance, lack of motivation, and a sense that something’s “missing” in your life…
But if you take at least one positive action daily in each of these areas, you’ll set yourself up for more successful, productive, and fulfilling days.
Right about now, you might be asking:
But Dean, what the heck do my emotions and spiritual life have to do with peak performance and productivity?
To which I’d respond:
- If you’re physically unwell, can you go to work?
- If you’re mentally weak, can you come up with creative solutions to problems that arise in your personal and professional life?
- If you’re emotionally drained, can you lead and inspire others? Can you sell your ideas? Get your kids to listen? Influence people to buy from you?
- If you’re spiritually deficient, can you trust that something greater is on your side? Can you live a truly meaningful and purpose-driven life? Can you keep going—even when the going gets tough?
The truth is, each of the four foundational elements of the PIESpread plays an important role in peak performance:
- When you’re physically strong + healthy, you’re more likely to feel fully engaged at work, which helps you produce at a higher level and accomplish your most important tasks, projects, and goals.
- When you’re mentally sharp, you can think with clarity, solve tough problems, and come up with fresh ideas that lead to positive outcomes.
- When you’re emotionally intelligent, you can lead and influence others effectively, understand yourself on a deeper level, connect with people from all walks of life, and build strong relationships.
- When you’ve got a rich spiritual life, you become more resilient to stress(1) and develop the ability to cultivate optimism during difficult times.
If you invest a portion of each day toward strengthening each of these dimensions, it’ll keep you at the top of your game.
Let’s talk about how to do it.
Actionable insights:
Create a Peak Performance Plan
So, how can you use the PIESpread to boost your productivity and enjoy higher performance at work and home? A great place to start is by creating a peak performance plan. Here’s how:
1: Grab a pen and a pad, find a quiet place, and block off 10-15 minutes to work on your Peak Performance Plan.
2: Select one action or ritual you can do daily for each component of the PIESpread. Review each of the four components of the PIESpread below. Then, use the ideas and examples I’ve included to come up with at least one action or ritual you can do daily to engage each area of the PIESpread: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual.
3: By the time you’re done, you should have a simple plan that looks something like this:
| My Peak Performance Plan | Start date: _____ | |
|---|---|---|
| PIESpread | One action or ritual I can do daily: | |
| Physical ritual: | “Exercise from 6am-7am every morning before work.” | |
| Mental ritual: | “Read for 30 min. a day.” | |
| Emotional ritual: | “Go on a 20-min. walk with my wife every evening.” | |
| Spiritual ritual: | “Meditate for 10 min., twice daily.” |
Now it’s your turn:
- Physical Ritual (PQ) — What’s at least one thing you can do for 30 minutes or more each day to activate your physical energy? (If you choose only one, make sure it’s a physical activity.)
- Examples + ideas: Weight-train • Prep healthy meals • Drink green juice • Stretch • Crossfit • Sports • Yoga • Jog • Hike • Anything that gets your body moving + makes you sweat!
- Mental Ritual (IQ) — What’s at least one thing you can do each day to activate your mental energy?
- Examples + ideas: Read • Learn something new • Plan your day • Review your daily priorities • Work on a puzzle • Do anything that stretches your mind
- Emotional Ritual (EQ) — What’s at least one thing you can do each day to activate your emotional energy?
- Examples + ideas: Visualize a successful day (or week, month, year, life, goal, etc.) • Incantations • Affirmations • Listen to something inspiring • Call someone you care about • Connect with family or friends • Reflect on how you want to feel today • Compliment a stranger • Hold a pleasant conversation with someone you don’t know • Practice keeping your cool during a crucial conversation
- Spiritual Ritual (SQ) — What’s at least one thing you can do each day to activate your spiritual energy?
- Examples + ideas: Nature walk • Pray • Meditate for 10 minutes • Journal • Think of 3 things you’re grateful for • Reflect on your why • Review your values • Reconnect with your purpose/mission
And there yah have it.
If you took a few minutes to do this, you should now have your own unique Peak Performance Plan. Write it down on an index card to carry around, and/or pin it up in your workspace so you’ve got a visual reminder to do what you need to do each day. Each time you edit or add to your plan, rewrite and attach a start date to it so you have a record of your progress.
Final note: Do yourself a favor, and avoid biting off more than you can chew. By all means, shoot for the moon—but start with what you can do now, not what you aspire to do down the line.
For example, if you aspire to exercise for 90 minutes a day but currently do not exercise at all, don’t start with 90 minutes from the jump. Instead, start with something more manageable, like a 20-minute workout. After a couple of weeks, add another 10 minutes to your workout… Then, continue adding more, bit by bit, until you’re in the habit of working out for 90 minutes a day.
Start with small steps and tiny habits; the quick wins will give you momentum. Once you’ve got momentum on your side, you can add more to your plan and build from there.
***
Hope you found this valuable,
—Dean.
Footnotes:
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Community Health and Prevention. (n.d.). Spiritual wellness. In Wellness Guide for Cancer Survivors. Mass.gov. Retrieved September 4, 2025, from https://www.mass.gov/info-details/spiritual-wellness
