WEEK 131: LONG TERM OVER SHORT TERM

Make decisions based on who you want to BE, not how you feel.

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): Question have you ever felt STUCK?

You know, taking action, doing things, but frustrated as you are not creating any results to show for it?

You are a hamster in the wheel who runs and runs, but makes no progress forward.

Pretty sure everyone has been there, but what do you need to know in order to break free from the rut and take the action to move forward?

Well before I tell you, let me see if I can point out some characteristics of being STUCK, so you can identify this in the future.

1. This year seems very similar to last year...and actually the year before (or the year before).

In the same job - same position - same friends - same interests - same everything.

2. Spend money on trivial things. (Things that might provide short term pleasure).

Use it once or twice, but then sits on the shelf as a paper weight.

3. You are obsesses with short term.

This last point is the biggest indicator to be aware of.

I can guarantee you will be caught in a constant cycle of one step forward, and then two steps back. 

What does this lead to?

Frustration, aggression, insecurity, doubt

WHY?

As you put int he work, but do not see the results for your actions.

Then one of two things usually happens.

One, you quit. The uncomfortable feelings are too much and you retreat back to comfort, where everything is familiar (but keeps you STUCK)

Two, you continue to endure, thinking more actions (based in the short term) will help you get out of the rut. But what happens next if you get overwhelmed with all the activities you have to keep up with, and eventually hit Burnout.

And burnout is no joke. This is a road where some people never come back from. 

Let me give you a few examples of what this looks like in real life.

You buy the newest iGadget (hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars), but do not invest in a course to help you grow personally.

OR

You buy new furniture for your house, instead of paying for the mentor to accelerate your growth.

BUT....

There is hope. All you need is ONE simple shift. It is powerful and life-changing.

What is it?

Long term over short term.

What does that mean?

There is a great quote that explains this perfectly.

Make decisions based on WHO YOU WANT TO BE (long term), not how you feel (short term). 

Now, being crystal clear on WHO YOU WANT TO BE must happen first, but I can guarantee you will not be STUCK anymore if you can consistently do this. 

For example, weight loss. 

Constantly making decisions on how you feel NOW, I want to eat that piece of cake/cookies/brownies, will keep you caught in a continual cycle of making a little to no progress.

Versus, making decisions on who you want to be BE, choosing to eat nutritious foods in balance, will ensure you will reach new levels of health never thought possible.

However, we live in a world where we crave instant gratification. I want an answer, Google it. I want to eat something, order it and it can be delivered to your door.

This is why it is so important you have the SYSTEMS in place to ensure you make decisions based in the long term consistently.

This will help you avoid or move quickly out of being STUCK, so you can start making progress towards new levels of success and performance.

What might a SYSTEM look like?

Well that is another post.

Just remember, make decisions based in the long term, not the short term to get out being STUCK!

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Understanding we are not our mistakes. We are not perfect, but to know the process will involve success and failure.

2. Learning from Audible daily.

3. Implanting psychic umbrellas - telephone, Foxhole, and GRR - to protect myself from negative stimuli.

Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

Understanding that failure and mistakes are a a part of the process. Any success involves a road of both, the key is to learn from everything and see how it can be used to help you grow.

What are you grateful for?

New perspective on tough situations. Tough things are necessary and help us learn and grow, thus, it is not failure, but FUEL to help us move forward. 

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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!

STRATEGY LIST