I certainly don't want to start any fights, but I am wondering how many people are hoping to "start something" in 2010? I'm wondering how many people are hoping or wishing to "start something" and make 2010 better and richer than ever before. And, I'm sad because I suspect most of them will fail.
First, they'll fail because most people, most of the time, don't really change their lives in any dramatic way. Most of the time, the new year looks pretty much like the one before because we are less willing to change than we think. We tell ourselves we are eager for change, but change is hard. We like safety, familiarity and routine and most of the time, most of us are pretty comfortable.
Second, it's rarely enough to want to start "something." You must be specific!
I love the story Tony Robbins tells, that after one of his seminars a man came up to Tony all excited and said his goal was to have "more money." Tony says he looked at the man sadly, gave him a dollar and told him to go away. A huge part of achieving your goals is to be specific!
"You wanna start somethin'?" I love that phrase, in part because it reminds me of my childhood, but more importantly because I love the INTENTION! I love the idea of starting, building and creating something new and big and bold and rewarding! I LOVE STARTING THINGS!
So while the phrase has some limitations, it's not all bad. You wanna start somethin'? Let's do it!
1. Be Specific. What, exactly do you want to build, create, expand, learn, or do in 2010? Make a list. Check it for passion and excitement. Check it for boldness and joy! Write it down. Make a list. Put it on your calendar. Set a budget, write a check, make the reservation.
2. Start small. The first step in building a mansion is to dig a foundation. The biggest most impressive buildings start in the mud, with a hole in the ground. We all like big, dramatic, daring "starts" but the truth is that most things start small. And safe. And easy. Life's most rewarding events start small. Hewlett-Packard and Apple and Nike started in garages. Microsoft started in a dorm room. Start here, start now. Start small, but start somethin'!
3. Persist. Most "over-night success" stories take about 20 years. "Rome wasn't built in a day." It only takes a few minutes to create a baby, but it takes years to raise a child, and a lifetime to develop character. Most New Year's Resolutions die an ugly death for lack of persistence.
4. Use Good Systems. Success is the result of systems, not effort and certainly not "luck." Mansions are built with systems and teams. Successful businesses have systems and organization and procedures that create predictable results time after time. Most people try to achieve goals with "will power" or "discipline" or "effort." That's admirable, but seldom effective.
Systems work. They support us when we're tired. They do tasks we don't, won't or can't do by ourselves. Systems eliminate the guess-work. Systems succeed!
If you have goals and outcomes you really want in 2010, write them down,make a list and organize it. You'll need a calendar and a budget. You'll need some new behaviors, and you'll want to change some old, limiting habits. You'll need a team to support you, and benchmarks to measure your progress. Goals are good! But by themselves, they are just lists that often lead to frustration. Systems work!
Quotes of the Week
“Big shots are little shots who kept shooting.” -- Christopher Morley
“It sometimes seems that intense desire creates not only its own opportunities, but its own talents." -- Eric Hoffer
“To fight fear, act. To increase fear, wait, put off, postpone.” -- David Joseph Schwartz
"We have much to do together. Let us do it in wisdom and love and joy. Let us make this the human experience." -- Gary Zukav
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