WEEK 44: Success is Mechanical

WT = Waiting Time. DT = Development Time.

PLANNING (task, scheduling, and WT = DT):  I plan to write my Leap Year W15 post in the site Medium onWednesday at 2 PM in the basement of my in laws house. I plan to turn those small WTs into Grateful Time, where I look to see what I can be grateful for in those situations. For example, last week I thought how great it was to have loving in laws. They have provided my family with so much during our visit home and I am very grateful for that. 

EXECUTION (strategies used):  W44, check! Although I use a combination of many strategies throughout the week, there are always some that are used more than others depending on what comes up. For example, I relied heavily on the Be a Pro, Implementation Intentions, and Got 2-Minutes strategies this week, as I did not complete the weekly task until later in the week. The highlighted strategies that were used in the week are listed below along with the I CAN'T statements that they help overcome. 

Procrastination...I CAN'T because I am not motivated, do not feel like it, or do not have enough time...

Early Scheduling = Implementation Intentions: This is a strategy that I credit to completing my tasks consistently on a weekly basis. In this strategy, you first PLAN to complete a task at a SCHEDULED time (day and time) in a specific location as early in the week as you can. More specifically you fill in the following statement.

I plan to [task] on [day] at [time] in [location].

Three benefits are produced from doing this. First, you get a sense of accomplishment if you complete the task in the beginning of the week at the scheduled time. In addition, it allows you to devout more time to do additional tasks to reach your goals within the same week. Second, it provides more time to complete the task if life presents you with something that needs to be attended to during the original scheduled time. Lastly, research shows that you are 2X to 3X more likely to follow through on your actions. I learned about this strategy from James Clear, who is a great blogger that writes on the science of human behavior and how to build better habits. He shows the research on how Implementation Intentions help you follow through on your plans and achieve your goals.

Be a PRO: I actually learned this strategy through insights from Jeff Goins, Tim Ferris, and James Clear. 

First, Jeff Goins mentioned in a podcast that “action will follow mindset.” Second, James Clear wrote that it does not matter what you want to become better at, the only skill that separates a “Pro” from an “amateur” is the ability to show up. Third, Tim Ferris said on his 4-Hr Work Week blog that “Practicing key habits when we don’t want to is the most key habit to all.” This reinforces this idea of being a “Pro” by having the mindset to show up consistently and completing the work.

The difficult thing about being a pro requires us to consistently follow through. Yet, we often let the challenges of everyday life get in the way and only attempt to do the work when we feel motivated. This produces small gains if any and leads us down a path of frustration. There will be days when you do not want to complete a key habit or activity, but develop the mindset of a “Pro” by showing up, sticking to your schedule, and then completing the tasks that move your forward.

Got 2-minutes: I learned the 2-minute rule from James Clear, and it helps you initiate a task, as usually this is the most difficult step. This strategy helps you focus on what you would do in the first 2 minutes of starting a task and then completing those actions.  Often times do this and then look up at the clock and see that I have been working for well over 2 minutes. I have now merged this with the "Got a Minute" strategy, which is used to turn any amount of free time into productive time. It comes from Vierordt's Law, which states that when estimating a previous task, people overestimate short durations and underestimate long ones. Simply, we regularly overestimate how long it will take to accomplish meaningful tasks. Often times they can be accomplished in a short amount of time, so don't judge if you will start something by how much time you think you have, just start! 

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): Eight weeks until the completion of my Leap Year! There has been so much I have learned and gained through the process and all I can say is WOW! Although I still have a lot of things to do in order to complete my first manuscript, I know to trust that everything will work out. 

Here is my reflection for W44.

What went well?

The task was completed and a key habit has been implanted into my daily routine. Although I have learned many new strategies this year, this one was one of the hardest to integrate into my daily life. It deals with succeeding in the face of everyday challenges. 

I have been traveling for over 26 days living out of suitcases, visiting family, friends and constantly planning the next phase of our trip. My wife and I have learned the distinction between a "trip" and a "vacation" this break. In the past I would have pooled these two terms together, but now know there is a true difference. The fact that we have traveled all across the country with our 16 mont h olds son has brought us to this realization. 

A vacation is when you have no duties and are completely carefree, where as, a trip is when you are still traveling but have responsibilities to carry out on a daily basis. For example, packing and unpacking four pieces of luggage and playing the game of trying to figure out what my son will eat are but a few of the daily challenges that my wife and I have dealt with on this "trip." Don't get me wrong, these past 26 days have been great but each day has been filled with various challenges. 

With that being said, I know for a fact that I would have let these daily challenges overwhelm me and give me the excuse to tell myself "I will get to those meaningful tasks tomorrow." Although I would feel a sense of accomplishment for completing the items on the daily "to do" list, I would also come to the end of the summer feeling quite frustrated.

WHY? Think about it. When was the last time that you told yourself "I will get to those meaningful tasks tomorrow, or I will read those books on vacation, or learn to___ later, but actually never complete these important activities. Then you ask yourself "well, why did I not get to those things?" Answer we get in our own way. What do I mean by this? We look at the list of daily challenges that we must complete and give ourselves the excuse "that we can do it later." 

I have learned that SUCCESS IS MECHANICAL, all you have to be is 100% committed and disciplined to actions that move you forward. Yes this is hard when you have a list of daily responsibilities that you have to take care of first, but also include the activities that move you closer to achieving your dreams. Completing these meaningful tasks closes the gap between where you are and where you think you should be.

I first learned this from Dane Maxwell, co-founder of The Foundation and self made millionaire, who mentioned this in a podcast that I listened to from Pat Flynn's SPI blog. I remember this statement resonating with me during the podcast, but did not understand the power of it until I was reflecting about how I was able to complete my four weekly tasks during my "trip" this summer. 

We strive to be successful, but often times complicate the process. I for one can raise my hand, as I tried many different things in the past before I was finally able to understand it. The formula for success is quite simple, all you have to do is be 100% committed and disciplined to actions that move you forward, now matter what. That is it!

Like I mentioned above, the biggest obstacle that I have found is that WE get in our own way. We stand in our own way by doubting, by telling ourselves "we can do it later", providing excuses, and talking ourselves out of all the things that we want to achieve. Therefore, get out of your own way and be committed and disciplined to actions that move you forward!

What is something we can improve upon? What actions can we take next week?

Learn not to make important decisions late at night. I learned that the worst time to make important decision is at night  about a month ago. First, your will power is probably low or non existent, and two, your mind is usually not in an alert state as you are getting ready for bed. 

Therefor, avoid serious decision before you go to bed. Leave these matters for earlier on in the day when you have more will power and alertness to make a better decision. 

What is something to avoid next week?

Making important decisions at bedtime. 

Thanks for tuning in and see you in W45.