Each of us has the potential to achieve far more than we
have imagined. We know that human beings use only a tiny
percentage of our potential. We waste time, we get
distracted, we "spin our wheels", and we get frustrated.
Yes, accomplish many good things, but only a small portion
of what we are capable of achieving.
At the same time, other people are reaching huge goals and
achieving vastly more than us. I find it humbling that
Bill Gates, Julia Roberts, Oprah Winfrey and Tiger Woods
are so young! Whatever you think of him or his politics,
isn't it astonishing that Barak Obama is our president?
With all due respect, he's still a "kid"!
What are the secrets to that level of achievement?
After studying thousands of highly effective people over
the years, I believe it comes down to only four key
essentials. Here they are:
1. Self Discipline. Self discipline has a terrible
reputation because most people think of it as pain and
deprivation, but nothing could be further from the truth!
Self discipline is the key to ultimate freedom! It means
taking charge of your life, being an adult and deciding
how you will live. It means you are not dependent on
circumstances or convenience or other people's opinions.
It means choosing your own course, taking responsibility
and going where YOU want to go and DOING what you want to
do with your life. It means doing what makes sense in the
long run, rather than what is popular or comfortable or
easy. Self discipline is the first essential for massive,
extraordinary levels of personal success.
2. Effective Resource Allocation. High achievers don't
waste time, squander opportunities, or "wish their lives
away". They use their talents and abilities wisely. They
focus their efforts on their most important next steps.
We have limited resources. High achievers concentrate
their best efforts on their most important projects. They
are very careful about time, because life is short. They
are careful about money, knowing that if they spend it,
it's gone forever, but invested wisely, even a few dollars
of "seed money" can create literally millions of dollars
over time. High achievers use resources wisely.
3. Environmental Perfection. To a remarkable degree, our
surroundings determine our results and high achievers
create environments that support them all day long, every
single day. They care about their offices, and they take
care of their bodies. They dress well and keep their tools
sharp and well-maintained.
There is a reason extraordinarily successful people have
elegant offices, and live orderly, structured, simple
lives. These are the habits that MADE THEM SUCCESSFUL!
4. Hard Work. Extremely successful people work harder
than the rest of us. Yes, sometimes they simply work more
hours and stay more focused, but sometimes it's the subtle
things. They pay attention and listen to the people they
meet. They network effectively. They read and use what
they learn to achieve better outcomes. They get more and
better results!
Self-made millionaires routinely work 50, 60 or even more
hours per week. Often they are doing work they love so it
doesn't feel like "work," but they show up early, stay
late, and work all day long. They take care of the "little
things" and it shows up in their results and in their bank
accounts at the end of the year.
Set your course. Decide what you want and the life you
prefer, then focus your time, energy and effort to that
end. There are no alternatives.
Extraordinary achievement is the result of those four
simple steps.
Quotes of the Week
“The question is not whether we will die, but how we will
live.“ -- Joan Borysenko
"It is our duty as men and women to proceed as though the
limits to our abilities do not exist." -- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can
circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a
determined soul.” -- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
“What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in
the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is
what we do.” -- John Ruskin
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