What does it mean to access your ''Best Version''?

Your Best Version

For some, it's about excelling in their careers, breaking through barriers, or achieving goals that once felt impossible. For others, it's about overcoming self-doubt, stepping out of their comfort zones, and embracing a life of fulfilment and purpose.

In my work as The Breakthrough Coach, I’ve seen time and again that the best version of a person is already within them, it just needs to be accessed. The journey to unlocking that potential is one of the most rewarding and transformational experiences. As we gear up for my upcoming series, "Your Best Version," let’s explore how some of the world’s top performers, both in sports and business, have accessed their best versions, and how you can, too.

The Case for Unlocking Your Best Version

Every day, we make choices that either move us closer to our best version or keep us stuck in stasis. Often, the barriers aren’t external, they’re internal. Fear of failure, self-doubt, and a reluctance to leave our comfort zones are some of the biggest culprits.

But here's the truth: your best version is already within you. It’s the version of you that’s confident, focused, and aligned with your dreams and aspirations. It’s the version that’s capable of achieving the extraordinary.

Why Do Some People Unlock Their Potential While Others Stay Stuck?

The difference lies in how they approach challenges. Top performers in every field, whether business, sports, or art, share one thing in common: they consciously choose to act as their best selves, even when it’s difficult. They’ve mastered the ability to access that version of themselves when it matters most. Let’s take a look at some real-world examples to bring this idea to life.

Case Studies: Top Performers Who Accessed Their Best Versions

1. Tiger Woods: The Power of Identity and Ritual

When you think of Tiger Woods, you probably picture him wearing his iconic red shirt on the final day of a tournament. But that’s not just a fashion choice, it was a deliberate ritual. For Woods, the red shirt represents power, focus, and success. It’s a symbol of the best version of himself, the version that shows up when the stakes are highest.

By putting on that shirt, he’s signalling to himself (and to his competitors) that he’s ready to perform at the highest level.

Takeaway: Creating rituals or symbols that reinforce your best version can be a powerful way to access it consistently. What’s your “red shirt”? What habit, ritual, or mindset shift can you adopt to step into your best self?

2. Serena Williams: Resilience and Mental Toughness

Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes of all time, but her path to success hasn’t been without obstacles. Injuries, setbacks, and personal challenges could have derailed her career, but Williams consistently found ways to come back stronger.

 How did she do it? By tapping into her mental toughness and focusing on her long-term vision. Williams didn’t just play to win; she played to embody her best version, the version of herself that’s resilient, disciplined, and unshakable.

 Takeaway: Resilience is a key part of being your best self. It’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about learning from it and coming back stronger. What challenges in your life could become stepping stones to your best version?

3. Jeff Bezos: Vision and Relentless Innovation

Before Amazon became the global behemoth it is today, Jeff Bezos started with a simple vision: to build the world's most customer-centric company. Despite the risks and doubts from others, Bezos stayed laser-focused on this vision, constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries of what was possible. 

Bezos accessed his best version through clarity of purpose and a relentless commitment to growth. He didn’t let fear of failure hold him back, instead, he used it as fuel to keep moving forward.

Takeaway: Having a clear vision for your life or business can help you align your actions with your best version. What’s your vision? How can you use it to guide your decisions and actions?

4. Michael Jordan: Turning Adversity into Motivation

Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, didn’t make his high school varsity basketball team on his first try. Instead of giving up, Jordan used this setback as motivation to improve.

Throughout his career, Jordan consistently accessed his best version by embracing challenges and using failures as opportunities to grow. His mindset was simple: “I can accept failure; everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.

Takeaway: Your best version isn’t afraid of failure; it sees it as a stepping stone to success. How can you turn your setbacks into fuel to grow?

What’s Holding You Back from Your Best Version?

If these examples teach us anything, it’s that accessing your best version requires deliberate action. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being intentional, resilient, and willing to push beyond your comfort zone. But the truth is, most people don’t access their best version because of one or more of these common barriers:

• Self-Doubt: “I’m not good enough.”

• Fear of Failure: “What if I try and fail?”

• Comfort Zones: “I’ll just stay where I am—it’s easier.”

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: these barriers can be overcome. Your best version is waiting; it just needs to be unlocked.