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Here’s more of my conversation with longtime friend, speaker and author, Mark Sanborn, about his new book, “The Encore Effect.” We continue to yak about how to achieve the “literal” or “figurative” cry for “Encore! Encore!” in our personal and professional lives.

Jeff Blackman: How does one make “performances” bigger, bolder and better?

Mark Sanborn: Aim “2LU”: two levels up! Everybody else says they’re trying to reach the next level. If you’re aiming for the next level, you’re only keeping up, not getting ahead. Two levels up is a significant improvement in the quality and impact of your performance. In a competitive marketplace, good is table stakes. To be truly successful requires a remarkable performance.

What I’ve learned is we are all examples. The only question is, “What kind?” You and I choose by our deliberate actions whether our performances will be memorable for the right reasons.

JB: Tell me more about remarkable performers and commitment...

MS: There are six levels:

1. Interested: Interested individuals are curious enough to focus their attention on an area of interest. Their behavior is the equivalent of flipping through magazines or listening to CNN Headline News while working out. It rarely leads to remarkable or exceptional performance.

2. Informed: Those who consistently focus their attention are those who learn. This level results in persistent, intentional study and is the foundation, but not the end, of remarkable performance. Informed individuals subscribe to magazines, buy books, take classes, attend seminars, and make it a point to talk to other informed individuals.

3. Involved: Those who use what they learn and apply it diligently to their careers and lives are involved. They don’t just talk a good talk, they’re playing the game.

4. Immersed: To become an expert or specialist in a chosen field requires study and application to a greater degree than most are willing to undertake.

Immersed individuals surround themselves with their craft and practice it. Continually. They look at the world through eyes focused by their passion for the subject. This is the gateway to remarkable performance. Such individuals rise above the pack and stand out in the crowd.

5. Invested: Those recognized as leaders in their field are invested individuals. They give consistently remarkable performances because they’ve invested more time, talent, experience, and resources to improve whatever it is they’re working on.

6. Innovative: True leaders in any field, go beyond the norm to break new ground. They become the example of what’s possible. They’re always changing the game in positive ways. Innovative individuals set new standards and exemplify remarkable performance.

JB: How does one handle “personal” pitfalls?

MS: A pitfall can kill a performance, unless you’ve either avoided it or learned what to do when it happens.

Two of the most common personal pitfalls are arrogance (thinking too highly of yourself) and complacency (thinking good enough is good enough).

The antidote to arrogance is humility. Rick Warren defines humility as not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It means not being self-absorbed. It means focusing on the needs of others rather than simply trying to meet your own needs. As the old saying goes, someone wrapped up in him- or herself makes a small package.

The antidote to complacency is commitment. It’s a commitment to getting better, no matter how good you become.

Cavett Robert, (founder of the National Speakers Association), someone Jeff and I both knew, said, “School is never out for the professional.” The same is true of any remarkable performer. The better you become at what you do, the more you realize you have to learn. Remarkable performers are justifiably proud, but never content. They keep pushing to see how much better they can be.

For even more winning ways to push, prod and propel you, visit TheEncoreEffect.com.

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Jeff Blackman is a speaker, author, success coach, broadcaster and lawyer who lives part-time on Marco Island. His clients call him a “business-growth specialist.” Send an e-mail to jeff@jeffblackman.com or go to www.jeffblackman.com to subscribe to his free e-letter.