Seven Days Later…

Giving Failure the Finger

Last Friday, we spoke about the idea of breaking our big-picture goals and dreams down into an ongoing series of short-term action plans. Okay, I spoke, you listened. Er, read. Anyway, that particular conversation opened a floodgate of feedback, commitments, promises and pledges to do different and create different. It was one of the biggest responses we’ve ever had to anything posted on this site.

The amazing level of reader input was not because the article was anything spectacular in terms of writing quality or inspirational content. No, the one hundred and forty-ish comments were the result of some serious button-pushing and identifying with the core message.

While negotiating the next four decades of your life might be a little overwhelming (at times), the practice of compartmentalising the long-term change process into four-week instalments is, for many of us, a more sensible, manageable and productive approach. And when I say manageable, I mean manageable from a mental and emotional perspective.

Manage your mind and you’ll manage your life.

Almost Getting the Job Done

It seems that many of us relate to the guy who has a habit of starting things he doesn’t finish. Constantly. And the girl who always loses motivation, focus and discipline two or three weeks into her transformational journey – even though this is the last time. Again. It’s clear that many of us have a history of starting things we don’t finish. And of going through peaks and troughs of motivation, commitment and productivity. Indeed, some of us have intended ourselves all the way to Frustration Central.

We are the Kings (and Queens) of ‘almost’.

Wanting, planning, intending and hoping (to change our reality) ain’t enough. Neither is knowing what to do. Those things don’t create results (on their own). Lasting change arises out of something a little more practical, logical and strategic.

Throwing in the Towel

I’m not being negative when I say that seven days into a process such as this, there would normally be a reasonable percentage of ’starters’ who have already thrown in the towel. And, yes, they will all have a very good reason. Just like they always do. I hope you’re not in that group.

Success isn’t often easy, comfortable or convenient. Neither is lasting change. That’s why it’s so elusive. Far too many people want amazing rewards without the appropriate effort; the prize without the work. They simply won’t do what it takes. They want the quick-fix, the short-cut, the magic pill. I hope you’re not in that group either. 

If last week’s commitments are anything to go by, then this week we should see around one hundred and forty progress reports come rolling in. Or thereabouts.

Invariably, success or failure with any long-term change strategy will come back to your ability to control the cerebral minefield that is your mind. I’m here today to tell you that you’re good enough, talented enough and smart enough. I’m also here to tell you that when it comes to success, you don’t deserve it; you earn it.  

Start earning.

Okay, you people who made a commitment last week, it’s time for your first update. Start typing. For the rest of you, feel free to leave a comment.

My 28-Day Update:

My commitment for the twenty-eight days was to stretch for thirty minutes daily. I have done what was required every day except Tuesday this week. At five-thirty on Tuesday night, I was called in to host the evening show on SEN radio (on air from 7-11), as the normal presenter (Mark) was sick. I didn’t arrive home until after midnight and the net result was that I missed my stretching.  Slack, I know. Wednesday morning I stretched for forty-five minutes to (kind of) compensate. Other than that minor hiccup, I’m focused, committed and feeling loose as a goose. GO HARPS! 

Coaching Session Winner

On Tuesday, I asked the question “how do we change our default setting?” I gotta say, there was some incredible advice and I was a little overwhelmed with the quality of the responses. I genuinely appreciated the trouble that so many of you went to with your answers. Thanks.

Anyhoozle, Channelle, if you can email Johnnie your details, we’ll organise a time for some one-on-one coaching with me-dot-com. The irony of choosing someone to receive this (prize) was that the people who gave the best answers were probably those who least needed coaching. Imagine being penalised for being clever. For that reason, I chose someone who (1) sent a great response and (2) might also benefit from some coaching.

Enjoy your weekend, keep doing what’s required, don’t over-think things and, yes, I’m talking to YOU!

Group Hug ( )