Each of us has the potential to achieve far more than we
have yet imagined. Humans use only a tiny percentage of our
potential. We waste time, we get distracted, we "spin our
wheels", and we get frustrated. Even with that, we do
accomplish many and wonderful things, but it's only a tiny
portion of what we are capable of achieving.
At the same time, we also know that some people accomplish
vastly more than the average person. I find it humbling
that so many of our leaders in business, politics and
entertainment are so young! Jordan Spieth won the Masters
and the PGA Championship this summer, and will try for his
third major at the (British) Open this week. Then, he'll
celebrate his twenty-second birthday next week. I find
that astonishing! I'm told Taylor Swift is only 24!
For me it's sobering that after setting so many world
records, Amelia Earhart was only 39 when she disappeared
over the Pacific. Oprah rose to prominence in her 20's!
Donald Trump is controversial, but while he was in college
he cleared $6 million (!) on an apartment complex he
renovated.
What are the secrets to that level of achievement?
After studying thousands of highly effective people over
many years, I believe it comes down to only four critical
essentials. Here they are:
1. Self Direction. Self direction is the ultimate freedom!
It means taking charge of your life, being an adult and
deciding how you will live your own life. It means you are
not dependent on circumstances or convenience or other
people's opinions. It means pursuing your personal goals
over the long run, rather than doing what is popular or
comfortable or easy at the moment. Self direction is
essential for massive, extraordinary levels of personal
success.
2. Effective Resource Allocation. High achievers don't
waste time, squander relationships, 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. There are only 24 hours in a
day, and we have limited stamina and strength. High
achievers concentrate their best efforts on their most
important projects. They are very careful about time,
knowing that when today is over, it's gone forever. They
make careful choices about money, knowing that once spent,
it's gone forever, but invested wisely, it can create
fortunes. High achievers use resources wisely.
3. Environmental Perfection. We respond to our
surroundings and high achievers create environments that
support them perfectly, 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 make 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 it's also the subtle
things. They pay attention and actually listen to the
people they meet. They network effectively. They read and
use what they learn to achieve better outcomes. They get
more done!
Self-made millionaires routinely work 50, 60 or more hours
per week. Often they are doing work they love so it doesn't
feel like "work" in the traditional sense, but they show up
early, they stay late, and they work all day long. They
take care of the "little things" and it shows up in the
quality of their results, and in their bank accounts at the
end of the year.
Chart your own course. Decide what you want and the life
you prefer, then focus your time, energy and effort to that
end. Use the resources available and create a Personal Eco-
System(tm) that supports you perfectly, then simply out-
perform and out-last the competition. There are no
alternatives. Extraordinary achievement is the result of
those four simple steps.
have yet imagined. Humans use only a tiny percentage of our
potential. We waste time, we get distracted, we "spin our
wheels", and we get frustrated. Even with that, we do
accomplish many and wonderful things, but it's only a tiny
portion of what we are capable of achieving.
At the same time, we also know that some people accomplish
vastly more than the average person. I find it humbling
that so many of our leaders in business, politics and
entertainment are so young! Jordan Spieth won the Masters
and the PGA Championship this summer, and will try for his
third major at the (British) Open this week. Then, he'll
celebrate his twenty-second birthday next week. I find
that astonishing! I'm told Taylor Swift is only 24!
For me it's sobering that after setting so many world
records, Amelia Earhart was only 39 when she disappeared
over the Pacific. Oprah rose to prominence in her 20's!
Donald Trump is controversial, but while he was in college
he cleared $6 million (!) on an apartment complex he
renovated.
What are the secrets to that level of achievement?
After studying thousands of highly effective people over
many years, I believe it comes down to only four critical
essentials. Here they are:
1. Self Direction. Self direction is the ultimate freedom!
It means taking charge of your life, being an adult and
deciding how you will live your own life. It means you are
not dependent on circumstances or convenience or other
people's opinions. It means pursuing your personal goals
over the long run, rather than doing what is popular or
comfortable or easy at the moment. Self direction is
essential for massive, extraordinary levels of personal
success.
2. Effective Resource Allocation. High achievers don't
waste time, squander relationships, 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. There are only 24 hours in a
day, and we have limited stamina and strength. High
achievers concentrate their best efforts on their most
important projects. They are very careful about time,
knowing that when today is over, it's gone forever. They
make careful choices about money, knowing that once spent,
it's gone forever, but invested wisely, it can create
fortunes. High achievers use resources wisely.
3. Environmental Perfection. We respond to our
surroundings and high achievers create environments that
support them perfectly, 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 make 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 it's also the subtle
things. They pay attention and actually listen to the
people they meet. They network effectively. They read and
use what they learn to achieve better outcomes. They get
more done!
Self-made millionaires routinely work 50, 60 or more hours
per week. Often they are doing work they love so it doesn't
feel like "work" in the traditional sense, but they show up
early, they stay late, and they work all day long. They
take care of the "little things" and it shows up in the
quality of their results, and in their bank accounts at the
end of the year.
Chart your own course. Decide what you want and the life
you prefer, then focus your time, energy and effort to that
end. Use the resources available and create a Personal Eco-
System(tm) that supports you perfectly, then simply out-
perform and out-last the competition. There are no
alternatives. Extraordinary achievement is the result of
those four simple steps.
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