WEEK 55: NOT HAVING IT ALL FIGURED OUT

WT = Waiting Time. DT = Development Time.

PLANNING (task, scheduling, and WT = DT):  I plan to write my Leap Year W26 post into the site Medium on Wednesday at 6 PM in study. 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 so many opportunities in my life...being able to write a book, pursue something that drives me everyday, and learn any new skill.

EXECUTION (strategies used):  W55 complete. 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 and Implementation Intentions strategies this 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 or do not feel like it...

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.

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.

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): Three weeks into my second Leap Year and I have been in the midst of forming another very powerful strategy. It involves various learnings from my first LY, and incorporates some of the things I have been processing lately. 

Tony Robbins has said "The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the level of uncertainty you can comfortably live with."

I have learned this to be true in my Leap Year process and can relate this to taking on any meaningful challenge. You are truly never going to be 100% sure what to do, as you take on anything worthwhile. However, I have learned you must TRUST yourself to figure it out.

Last week I discussed some insights from Benjamin Hardy about not having "It all Figured out" when trying to achieve your dreams. You only need the information to get to the next few steps, as you do not know, what you do not know. The key is to understand you only gain the needed information once you get to the next step because you are able to ask better questions and assess what is needed next in order to move forward. 

The hardest part with taking on anything meaningful is the uncertainty. Uncertainty of what to do. Uncertainty of the obstacles and challenges you will face. Uncertainty of the outcome. 

Seth Godin has said "You have to dance with fear" if you pursue a life as a creative. He suggests to "Use it as a compass to push you towards bringing your best creative work to life" 

Uncertainty of the unknown, fear, doubt...they are all a part of the process. Jack Canfield says in his book the Success Principles these Considerations, or road blocks are a normal part of the process and "everything you want is on the other side of fear."

Thus, welcome fear, learn to dance with it on a daily basis, and trust you will figure it out. 

What went well?

Weekly task completed and gaining clarity on a new powerful strategy...TRUST.

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

Embrace all situations. Embrace means to accept, and acknowledge, not try to change and alter. I need to do a better job of being present and embracing any situation that is presented to me. 

What is something to avoid next week?

Trying to constantly control and change situations as they arise.