Ultimately, your quality of life comes down to two factors:
1. How much you’re willing to face (take on)
2. How valuable you are to others
These two factors are influenced by core actions. Core actions are actions that have a powerful impact on creating desired results. Superficial actions have little or no impact. Superficial actions keep you busy but don’t produce much in the way of results. Think of people who are constantly following a diet and exercise regimen but rarely lose weight. You’re looking at superficial actions. Think of people who keep attending seminars and training sessions to build their business, without any visible or specifically measurable results coming from them. Yes, you’re looking at superficial actions again. We also refer to superficial actions as “hiding behind activities.” When we’re not willing to commit to core actions and aren’t willing to simply do what’s necessary, we tend to occupy ourselves with superficial actions. It looks good when we’re constantly “busy,” but it yields little to no results.
We define key actions as “the necessary steps to achieve the desired result.” The people we respect most in life, both personally and professionally, are those who produce results—the people who do what it takes. If they want to lose weight, they lose weight. Why? Because they do what it takes to achieve the desired result. When they want to improve their financial situation, they do so. Why? Because they do what it takes.
- Replace “can” and “cannot” with “will” and “will not.”
“Wanting” or “not wanting” determines “having” or “not having” in your life. This statement isn’t very popular with less powerful or overly sensitive people. But that doesn’t make it any less true. As Yoda says, “Do something or don’t. There is no such thing as trying.” Commitment is: Yes, I’ll do it, or No, I won’t. - Problem-Solving vs. Innovation.
Problem-solving focuses on restoring past performance. Innovation is about constantly raising the bar. Most people are so busy solving problems that they fail to innovate. Make innovation a daily priority. In today’s world, constantly raising your game to a higher level is not a luxury, but a necessity. - Make it a daily practice to take things out of your head and put them into action. Put new information and new skills into practice. That’s the only way to see results. If you don’t put your knowledge and skills into practice, they’ll wither away in your head—and your business will slowly wither away with them. Intelligence is the implementation of what you know. When knowledge remains in your head, it is merely stored information that is never put to use.
- Stress is caused by “knowing what works” and “doing what doesn’t work.”
Stress is greatly exacerbated by “wanting things to be different” and “not being willing to change.” If you exhibit either of these two behaviors, STOP IT! - Desired Results vs. An Idea.
A desired result is an actual goal you’re working toward. Ideas are merely for entertainment. An idea you daydream about isn’t a strategy. Ideas can be fun and exciting, but it’s even more exciting to actually create something of value. - Be clear about the result you want to achieve. Do you have all the necessary information and skills to achieve that result? If so, determine the steps you need to take right now to achieve it. Take those steps and repeat…
- Stop living aimlessly. We also refer to aimless living as a “lack of intention disorder.” This is what always lies at the root of an unproductive life. Set a goal and live by it. No one is going to give your life meaning or hand you a goal. You have to set your own goals. Thinking about setting a goal, or talking about setting a goal, is not the same as actually setting a goal. And putting off setting your goal is irrational and causes you to waste your time and squander your life. When your goals are big enough, you’ll never have time problems again. You’ll also stop seeking approval from others and start earning respect. Having a deeper purpose adds life to life.
- Start today by creating what you want. If you’re not willing to create what you want, then let go of the desire. Wanting things you’re not willing to work for is the worst foundation for a powerful life.
- Make a list of everything you feel you need to address. In other words, the things in your life that are still unfinished. Create three categories for these items: “Do, Drop, Delegate,” and act accordingly.
- Ask yourself at least five times a day: “Am I doing what it takes to achieve my desired results, or am I just going through the motions?” This not only helps you see how you’re actually functioning in life, but it also gives you the opportunity to take the right, proactive, and corrective actions.
- Be of value to the people you come into contact with. Be sincere. Don’t undermine others by telling them what they want to hear. Sometimes you have to set your own personality and feelings aside and focus on making a difference. Make it about them, not about you. Don’t worry about being businesslike or politically correct. Be willing to listen to the other person in a way no one has ever listened to them before, and be willing to say things to them that no one has ever said to them before.
- Face what’s holding you back and do something about it right away. Hint: “What’s holding you back is always in your head.” Often, people are very good at describing all the unpleasant details of undesirable situations, without being willing to do anything about them. It’s very simple: You are responsible for standing up to the voice in your head. It’s about awareness, followed by making a decision. So notice the voice, ignore it, and focus on key actions.
- Show up. Be whoever is needed and do whatever it takes to achieve the desired result. Period.