PLANNING (Implementation Intention): You will follow through 2X to 3X more likely to complete your weekly task than you normally would just by filling in the following statement.
I plan to complete the weekly task [day] at [time] in [location].
A reminder you might have to use multiple Implementation Intentions in order to follow through.
EXECUTION (strategies used): From week to week, I use a combination of many strategies. There are always some which are used more than others depending on what comes up, but I wanted to offer a link to all them at once.
My advice is to identify the I CAN'T statement you tell yourself during the most. Then find a strategy below the statement which resonates with you, and then start using it.
Enjoy!
REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): I wanted to share a connection I made this week which will help you in times when you have to make tough decisions on the path to achieving your dreams.
I have now been working in The Foundation program, a course which teaches you to start a software program from scratch, for about eight months. It was created by Dane Maxwell and Andy Drish, who are both multi-million dollar software entrepreneurs. The overall program is scheduled to take six months, but I have been juggling The Foundation along with the Leap Year process, so it has taken me a tab bit more.
I am nearing the end of the modules and I heard something this week which was timely, but also blew me away. In the video Dane talks about the growth which had to occur to get to this point in the program. He then highlights one of the greatest skills to have as an entrepreneur. Open mindedness.
You might think marketing, coding, or sales might be the best skill to posses but Dane disagrees. Why does he say being OPEN MINDED trumps them all? Simple answer, it allows you to DROP DISBELIEF. How often do we take on something meaningful and then make excuses, procrastinate, or even quit at the first sign of being uncomfortable? Or even worse, we don't even start as we tell ourselves we could never do that, there is no way!
The skill of being OPEN MINDED is easy to say, but I found this week it is quite hard to apply. Someone once said the older you get, the less you know. This is so true as I remember doing things without thinking twice when I was a kid. No fear, full charge ahead! Where as now, I often stop myself in trying things as I tell myself I have already done that or that is not possible from the accumulation of all my past experiences.
Additionally, I have learned the enemy to being OPEN MINDED is uncertainty. Disbelief arises from this lack of clarity and questions like, "What will happen, when will it happen, and how will it happen?" run through your mind. Next, doubt and fear creep in and stop you from taking action.
I read something from Medium this week which can help reverse the crippling effect of fear of the unknown. Dr. Stephen R. Covey said "We control our actions, but the consequences that flow from those actions are controlled by principles."
For example, your body is governed by principles and will become unhealthy if you only consume unhealthy foods. Your finances are governed by principles and you will become in debt if you spend more than you have. You control the action, but the consequences that follow are governed by PRINCIPLES.
So what are principles? Principles are the compound effect of daily decisions. Doing something one time, like drinking a beer or smoking a cigarette, will not have a damaging effect on your health. Where as, these activities done over a extended period of time can cause major health problems.
Thus if you want to create better outcomes, then improve the daily decisions you make, thus creating a positive compound effect.
Back to what I wanted to answer at the beginning of the post. How can you make tough decisions on the path to your dreams? In life we are presented with situations of such size, that we have no idea what to do. Naturally, we feel this way, as we have no idea of the outcome. This uncertainty allows doubt, judgement, and fear to creep in and makes it difficult to have even one clear thought. You create Pro and Con lists, you talk to family and friends, you replay every scenario out in your mind, and what you thought was clear becomes muddy.
This is where you can become OPEN MINDED and DROP THE DISBELIEF. What happened in the past or whatever terrible thing you see for the suture do not have power on what you can do NOW! Remember, outcomes are governed by principles. You can control you actions in any given moment, thus if you want to create a positive outcome, put in the consistent work to create this result. These efforts will be compounded exponentially, the growth you make will help you produce more growth, and help you achieve things never thought possible!
Thus, be OPEN MINDED, DROP THE DISBELIEF, and focus on the principles (daily actions and decisions) to achieve amazing outcomes!
What Went Well?
Weekly task completed in the face of developing two softwares and making a HUGE life decision.
What is something we can improve? What actions can we take next week?
Presence. Not thinking about all the things in the past, or what could happen in the future. Having the focus to stay in the moment and enjoy the present moment.
What is something to avoid next week?
Living outside the moment.
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