WEEK 87: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES

Don't aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue.
Viktor E. Frankl

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): I heard this quote during one of my meditation sessions this week and it resonated perfectly with what is going on recently.

The path to achieving your dreams will be hazy and unclear at times, then there will be moments when you know exactly what you want! Although this clarity is great, I have learned you must be aware of the trap. What trap am I talking about?

Focusing solely on the result and not the process. 

Now I have written many different posts about this idea, and I actually went back and dug up a small expert from some past posts.

First, I learned from James Clear to focus on SYSTEMS, your daily actions, over goals to make progress. Goals should be used to plan, but minimal or no progress will be made solely focusing on the end result. 

Second, I learned from Eben Pagan the idea of Inevitable Thinking, ADD. He wrote "Inevitable Thinking is thinking and acting as if what you are doing is a forgone conclusion because you set up the conditions for it to happen." 

Third,I learned 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.

Fourth, I learned that when you encounter a DIP, the lowest point in taking on a challenge, it is a trigger to analyze your principles. 

The common theme between all three center around focusing on your SYSTEMS = DAILY DECISIONS and ACTIONS = PRINCIPLES to make progress.

Now 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. It is more important what you to everyday, versus what you do every once in a while. 

Thus if you want to create better outcomes, then improve the daily decisions you make, thus creating a positive compound effect. 

Again, finding clarity in what your dream is incredible, but I have learned you must be aware not to fall into the trap to solely focus on the end result. You must remember the result is your destination, but it is your SYSTEMS = DAILY DECISIONS and ACTIONS = PRINCIPLES that will get you there. 

This rings so true for me currently where I often focus solely on getting that first sale, where this gives me laser like focus, it takes me away from analyzing my PRINCIPLES. It is like I am a horse with blinders on and I can only see in front of me and nothing in my periphery.

Thus, get clarity in what your ultimate outcome is first. Next, set goals to plan how to get there. Then, FOCUS solely on your PRINCIPLES, daily decisions and actions, which will get you there.

Thanks for tuning in and see you next week.

What Went Well?

Weekly task completed and focusing more on the PROCESS, than the result to accelerate towards achieving my ultimate outcome. 

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

Be grateful of the NOW. I find myself thinking I will be happier in the future when X or Y happens, but there is so much to appreciate now!

What is something to avoid next week?

Get out of our own way!

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!

STRATEGY LIST