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Saturday, February 24, 2018

WEEK 128: TIME, THE GREATEST RESOURCE

Few people take objectives really seriously. They put average effort into TOO many things, rather than superior thought and efforts into a few important things. People who achieve the most are selective as determined.   Richard Koch


REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): This week I want to write to you about the greatest resource we all have available. 

What is it you might ask?

Money

Information

Skills

Actually it is none of these. Well, what is it? 

It is TIME.

Time is the greatest resource available to us all and it is those who learn to leverage it, not manage it, who achieve the most and are the most successful.

The quote for today is a fantastic point, as it highlights the importance of learning not to manage your time, but to leverage it.

Richard Koch is the author of the 80/20 principle (some of you might have already heard about this), but it is where you can create more results, with less actions. Essentially, 20% of your actions produce 80% of your results. 

The 80/20 principle is abundantly apparent in all aspects of our lives, but it is often unnoticed. 

For example, 20% of your actions produce 80% of your happiness. If you think about it, there is an imbalance in which, a small number of the actions you take produce the majority of your happiness.

It is powerful once you start to one, see it, but two, start to incorporate it in your life.

Now this gets us back to the most precious resource we have...TIME.

You might ask, what is the difference between managing and leveraging your TIME?

First of all, managing your time does not lead to results. WHAT?

This is a huge obstacle for most of us, as it has been ingrained in us that the amount of effort you put in = the results you produce. 

Like when you were in school if you study X hours, you will get Y grade. 

Essentially it boils down to 50% effort = 50% of the results, which is incorrect. 

Results are produced from an imbalance of your inputs or actions you take. 

For example, in terms of your health and weight, 80% of the results are produced from your nutrition.

Thus you can manage your time wisely to do more things, but this "average effort" into too many things does not produce the results that you want. 

Second, managing your time is based on the assumption that you need add MORE. You get better at using your time, so you are able to add more activities in, thinking it will create better results for you.

Answer. NO!

It actually is a detriment, as you create more stress and frustration, as you add more things to an already full schedule. This can lead to overwhelm and eventually burnout!

Where as, leveraging your time is first based on subtraction of the "trivial many," or the 80% of the trivial tasks which produce little to no gains. 

This happens when you first clarify your destination, which allows you to identify what simple questions you must ask, in which the answers will produce the action plan needed to get you to where you need to go,.

This in turn, also identifies the "selective few" activities you need focus on to produce 80% of your results.

Are you struggling to get the results you want in a certain area of your life?

Start by learning to leverage your time, not manage it!

Identify the "vital few" activities to focus on, cut out the rest in order, so you can accelerate getting the results you desire.

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Investing in daily personal development through audible. 
2. Scheduling time to be GRATEFUL for all the amazing things in our life. 
3. NMR (Night and Morning Routines). They fortify my self-image, and keep doubt, Excessive Negative Feedback (ENF), and Excessive Other Consciousness (EOC) in check.


Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

We are always projecting. Be aware of the place you are acting from. Is it from a place of abundance or lack? Service or Greed? It comes out in everything you do.


What are you grateful for?

The ability to invest in personal development, whether courses, masterminds, or other tools to help me grow personally, which will allow me to grow professionally. 


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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!

WEEK 127: GOAL SETTING

Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible to the visible. 

Tony Robbins


REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): Today I write you from the beautiful porch from our hotel in Vietnam!

What an incredible site and as I reflect here I look back at all the growth that has happened since I started my TLP.

It is incredible, and the crazy thing is I continue to learn and grow...and that is the key.

That yearning and drive to keep learning and growing, which involves setting, achieving, and then resetting bigger goals!

This is something so many struggle with and really separates an amateur from a pro. 

What is it? Goal setting.

How do you do it? What works? What does not?

Well, today I am going to break it down for you so you can start goal setting and achieving like a pro!

I do not have tons of time as I want to get back to my family, so am going to get right into it.

Step 1: Clarify your destination. 

This is common hurdle for so many people, yet they really have no idea of one, who they want to BE, or what they want to achieve. 

The top 1% define this clearly before anything else happens, so do the same when you make the goals to achieve your dreams!

Step 2: Get a map

Sounds simple, and this is actually how we travel today, but most people rarely do this while trying to achieve their dreams. 

The DIY culture has been ingrained in our minds so much, that we waste the biggest resource we have, TIME, in order to try to figure it out ourselves. 

Trust me, I did this as well for years, and made little to no progress at all. The huge gains happened when I doubled down, and INVESTED into those who provided a blue print for me to follow on this journey!

They outlined the twists, the turns, and provided the feedback to make adjustments when I got off track, instead of me thinking all was lost and quitting altogether. 

Step 3: Choose the people you run with

You are the sum of the five people you hang out with most. 

Are you succeeding or not? Take a look at who you spend the most time with. This will tell you if your environment is pushing you forward or actually hindering your progress.

This can be hard letting people go, but this is something you will have to do in order to make those gains you are so eagerly wanting.


Step 4: Choose ONE big rock to move at a time

Most driven individuals, entrepreneurs, or the like take on so many things as once. It is no wonder that we either make little progress or burnout from all the pulls on our attention and time.

It is like trying to push multiple large boulders up a hill. You move one a little, but then you move to another, but when you do, the other slides back down the hill. You are in a constant action, yet you make little progress. 

Choose ONE thing, achieve it, and then move onto the next!

Step 5: Work backwards

This ties together #1 and #4. You need to first know where you are going, but then you need to break that down into parts so you can focus on smaller parts of achieving that monumental task.

Like Lao Tzu said, "The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." You can not jump from the beginning to the end in one full step.

Thus, define where you want to go, and then break it down into parts, which you then focus on ONE thing at a time.

Step 6: Break it down into 90 day increments

Now that you know where you are going, broke it down into smaller chunks to work with, chose ONE thing to complete, now make that the focus for the next 90 days. 

A common myth is that you have to have hyper-activity to achieve worthwhile goals, but in actuality, you really need to focus on 3-4 key activities which will help you make strides to achieve those goals.

That is what you do here, you take the ONE thing you are focusing on and decide what key 3-4 activities will help you achieve it and do those 3-4 activities daily for the next 90 days.

This will allow you to achieve the first part, then you move onto the next part, then once you achieved that the next, and by the 4th time you have done it in a year you have probably achieved something pretty amazing!

So there you have it, a full proof goal setting and action plan for you to achieve amazingness!

So what are you waiting for? Go out and set and achieve some amazing goals!

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Getting back to Zen. Eating the right foods that nourish the body.
2. TMM. Keeps the killer of dreams in check...doubt.
3. Eating the right food. What you consume has such a profound effect on all areas of your life. 


Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

Garbage in equals garbage out. Can't make the strides you are looking for? Look at what you are consuming.


What are you grateful for?

Being able to invest in the skill and resources that will allow me to reach the goals I have set out for myself and my business. 


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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!

Sunday, February 11, 2018

WEEK 126: ORDERED CONSEQUENCES

The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself why you can't achieve it! Jordan Belford


REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): I love this quote for this week and this is one of the biggest obstacles you will have to overcome on the path to achieving any goal, success, or your dreams.

Today I am going to bring some clarity around a huge sticking point and provide steps you need to consider the next time you are faced with a difficult decision (a given) on the path to achieving your dreams.

But before I start, I want to ask if you have had your vaccinations?

Do you remember as a child going to a clinic and getting those shots, that made your arm numb from the pain?

I do and still dislike getting shots as an adult, but I know it is worth it as I am getting the antibodies to help protect me from diseases that could be otherwise detrimental to my health.


Now this brings up an interesting point and this same lesson of enduring a pain to gain more benefits later can also be applied to your journey on the path to self realization! 

How you might ask?

Well, it is something I have spoken about before, and it deals with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order consequences.

Estimating here but 99% of this planet bases ALL of their decisions on 1st order, or immediate, consequences of their actions.

For example, investing money for the future and retirement. The 1st order consequence of putting aside money each month seems painful and you can not see the benefit from that currently.

Thus, you probably spend it on a impulse buy or something which will keep your attention for a brief time before it becomes obsolete.

Or another example, starting to exercise to get back in shape. The 1st order consequence is you feel sore and might not feel good at all after your initial session(s).

Now this is where most of the planet STOPS and QUITS, as they view the decision they made to be painful and not worth it.

What they do not see are the benefits of the 2nd and 3rd order consequences. 

For investing, the 2nd order consequence is you start saving early and get compound interest on your side. Then, the 3rd order consequence is that you have MILLIONS of dollars when you retire without investing any more into the funds when you are in your 50's and 60's.

For exercising, the 2nd order is you get used to the exercise and actually start losing weight and feeling stronger. The 3rd order is you are fit way beyond your years and are able to enjoy mobility with your children and their children,

So here is the key. 

DO NOT base your decisions on the path to achieving any goal, success, or your dreams solely by 1st order consequences. 

They will be PAINFUL and are not fun at all.

Know this in advance, and look at the 2nd order and 3rd order consequences of your actions!

Doing this continually will help you push past the initial pain so you can reap the benefits of your actions!

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Re-worked TMM. Exponential gains!
2. Committed to Zen. It allows me to operate at my highest levels. 
3. Making objectives before the day of what needs to be done! Focuses my attention and efforts. 


Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

Small tweaks can make huge ipacts. I have been doing my morning routine the same way for a long time thinking it was the best way, but small tweaks this past week have produced gains at a much faster rate!


What are you grateful for?

Not worried about what others are saying or thinking of me (illusion). It is powerful and I am living a more fulfilled life because of it!
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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!

Sunday, February 4, 2018

WEEK 125: IKEA'S SHORTCUTS

It is in your moments of decisions that your destiny is shaped.    Tony Robbins

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): What a week! Feel exhilirated as I made some decisions that are going to accelerate the path to reaching some of the golas (amazing by the way) for this year!

Now I admit 125 weeks is a long time to have reached this point, but I want to share something which will accelerate your progress from starting with literally noting (that is where I was when I started TLP) to getting on the path to become an unstoppable, powerful, confident, and abundant bad ass!

Now before we start, wanted to ask if you have ever shopped at IKEA? Pretty cool the first time you go through it as you get to see all the departments, but quite annoying to the point you don't even want to go there, if you know you only need a couple of things. However, they built those shortcuts where you can bypass certain sections so you can get to where you want to go faster and then checkout.

Actually did not find these out until much later in my shopping experience, but man how they make a difference!

Well this what I am going to give you today. Imagine navigating IKEA is your path to get from where you are, which can literally mean not having a clue where to start, to achieving your goals and dreams, picking up the right accessories and then checking out. Think of it as walking int he entry way and then being escorted to checkout with all of the goods already picked out for you.

Would that be cool? 

Uh, yeah!

Now what is said secret? 

I will tell you, but first want to give you some massive insights before I tell. Trust me, they took my over 125 weeks to connect, and will serve you well if you take them into consideration.

#1: Success leaves clues. Tony Robbins and a whole sleu of other succesful people have said this one phrase (or version of this phrase).

Want to accomplish something meaningful? Probably someone that has done it or something similar, where you can learn the steps to take...even if you do not know where to start.

#2: CVVCR. This acronym stands for Choices Validate Vision and Create Reality. It is quite simple, but the actions you take today andtomorrow will either validate and take you closer to making that vision (of achieving your dreams) a reality or takes you farther away.

#3: Inputs and Outputs. Another simple phrase, but just as powerful as the #2. Frustrated (or happy) with your results, outputs? Well it only takes you looking at your Inputs, daily decisions and actions, to see the root of your problems (or success).

And number #4...which is the secret to accelerating your progress in achieving any goal, success, and your dreams....entering and then being escorted to checkout at IKEA.

It is the knowledge you are your ULTIMATE ASSET. Capital Y, Capital O, Capital U. Thus before you make another investment (car, house, clothes....) think about how your are developing the numero UNO ally in achieving success.

Are you investing in your health? Growth? Mindset? Personal development? 

Well....

You might be saying I know Jess. I have heard that I am the "Greatest Asset" and I WILL invest, but...

Bottom line, how often do you find people willing to invest in their personal development, education (in something meaningful), health, family?

The truth is scary low. Wait you might say, there are tons of people searching the internet to improve them selves from looking at inspirational quotes and reading blogs posts to make changes.

Yes, these are steps in the right direction, but I am talking about the investment of TIME (daily) and RESOURCES (add a couple zeros to that payment) to resources and people who can help you accelerate the process?

Trust me I lived that life for 35 years and it truly did not get me far. Tons of ideas and a million things started, but self-publishing a book, negotiating thousand dollar contracts, talking to companies about building software products...none of that happened until I doubled down and invested both significant TIME and MONEY into people and resources that could give me CLARITY, FOCUS, and ACCOUNTABILITY. 

To tell you the truth, I know I would probably not be where I am today, if I had not made the decision to truly invest in myself!

Thus, are you serious? Do you want to achieve success? Do you want to be the best version of yourself? Do you want to realize what powers sit idle inside?

Then go "All In" and invest the TIME (daily) and MONEY to snap your vision of achieving your dreams a reality.

Waiting for you on the other side,

J


Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Reworking my Morning Routine. Small tweaks...huge changes in focus and confidence.
2. Truly being disciplined to Zen. Sleep, thought, fighting illness, empathy...all through the roof!
3. Monitor INPUTS. No more media which takes me away from the vision I want to create! Like immersing myself in a new language, all in!


Biggest lessons and learnings?

The Ultimate Asset in achieving any goal, success, and your dreams...YOU! Invest wisely.


What are you grateful for?

Ingraining gratitude into daily life! Actually carving out time daily to think about all the amazingness in my family's life!

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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!