WEEK 136: SHOW UP

The difference between an amateur and a "Pro" is the ability to show up, stick to your schedule, and complete the work. That is it.      Jess Kuemmerlin

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): Do you know the The #1 secret to success in your business/life?

Take some guesses?

Resources?

Skills?

Experience?

The answer, none of these.

Well, what is it?

I promise to tell you but want to share a little math experiment with you first. Oh, don't run away as it is quite easy and I will not make you solve any complex problems.

I want you to take a piece of normal printing paper and then fold it in half. Then, I want you to fold it in half again. Continue this process until you can not do this anymore.

Usually you get to about 6-7 folds before it gets too tough to fold (unless you are super buff like me). :)

Next, I want you to compare the height of an unfolded piece of paper and the the height of the paper you just folded.

You can clearly see that the height grew exponentially from the two just by taking simple actions consistently.

Now, what you can not imagine is the following. If you were to fold that same piece of paper 42 times, or had a machine to do that, what distance do you think it would cover?

Couple feet or meters, right?

Wrong, it would cover the distance from the surface of Earth all the way to the moon! That is right, the moon!

Crazy, yet this is the power of exponential growth.

All by simply folding a piece of paper onto itself over and over again.

This experiment highlights the power of exponential growth, which Warren Buffet (pretty smart dude), calls the 8th wonder of the world.

It is something the mind just can not wrap its mind around.

Now how does this relate to the #1 secret to success in life or business?

First, the #1 secret...YOUR ABILITY TO SHOW UP!

That is right. 

Day in, day out. I have said in the past this is what makes a "Pro" well a "Pro".

No matter what, tired, sore, mentally exhausted....they show up, stick to their schedule, and complete the work.

There have been accounts of Michael Jordan losing a high pressure playoff game, but being up the next day at 6 AMto train. 

No excuses, he just SHOWED UP to complete the work.

Going back to exponential growth. The key is that you do not break the chain, that is you consistently complete certain actions.

The same is true for success in your life or business. If you want gains you can not imagine, you need to SHOW UP daily, and do not break the chain.

Now, the work you do is just as important (could write a whole another post on that), but the discipline to SHOW UP consistently, no matter what, is a skill you will need to move from any level you are at, to the next level you want to reach.

Want to level up? Want to achieve something meaningful? 

Then be vicious to protect (almost violently) the #1 Secret to Success in Life and business, which is your ability to SHOW UP!

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Clarifying and sticking to RULES (process goals) to ensure my success.

2. Learning and mastering Zen. Creates freedom in so many areas of my life.

3. Building up psychic umbrellas. Foxhole, GRR, Crisis, Constructive Worry

Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

Unknown, volatility, out of routines - anti-fragility  - is a benefits and help us grow.

What are you grateful for?

My beautiful wife and children. Take these guys for granted, need to let them know daily how special they are to me!

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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

WEEK 135: FOCUS IN ADVERSITY

There are two ways to inspire human behavior: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it.    Simon Sinek

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions):

Today I want to talk to you about the ideas of discipline and commitment (manipulation)...and why they are flawed.

WHAT you might say?

Yes, they are flawed.

Now before I tell you why, I want to know if you know the following companies, Apple and Amazon?

Why are they SO successful? 

Give you a hint, it deals with their missions.

Apple's Mission: 

Apple has always been different. A different kind of company with a different view of the world. It's a special place where we have the opportunity to create the best products on earth - products that change lives and the future. It's a privilege we hold dear. 

Amazon's mission:

Our vision is to be the earth's most customer-centric company: to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online. 

Now a companies mission, like any other successful organization, is what drives all decision making processes and inspires employees. From hiring, purchasing, etc.

The thing is most business, do not have a clear mission, thus they might start doing one thing and then change what they are doing the following year. 

This makes it really hard to find success and eventually can lead to bankruptcy, their warehouse blowing up, and all of their staff revolting against them. 

Kidding, but you get the point.

Now what would happen if I were to tell you the same thing happens with you while undertaking a new task or meaningul challenge?

Jess, I do not follow?

Lean in, I am about to drop some knowledge...

Today you are told you must have more discipline and be committed100%..blah, blah, blah...in order to achieve what you desire.

Don't get me wrong, discipline and commitment are strong allies on the path to higher levels of success and performance, but there is something you MUST have first in order for both of them to be leveraged properly.

What you might ask?

It is your reasons = WHY = mission. 

You must have a clear, strong WHY for doing what you are doing, or you will quit the first time something gets hard (which it will, and will happen multiple times) and will say "at least I tried."

Let me give you an example,

Say you want to gain 4 kilos (9 lbs roughly) of muscle. You decide on this goal and start going to the gym. First week or so you look better, but actually lose weight, however you know you are getting in better shape so no worries.

Next week, same thing. You lose a little more weight, but you start asking "What am I doing wrong?"

Finally, in the next week you do not see any changes on the scale and you say "This is impossible" and you quit.

Oh, you probably had rock solid discipline and commitment, yet you still found it hard and eventually quit.

Why is this?

Well, if we go back and analyze this situation it is because you started with no clear, or strong enough reason (WHY).

Why do you want 4 more kilos of muscle?

Look good on the beach? (ok, but will this get you through those times when it gets hard?)

Have more confidence? (getting better)

Prove to yourself you can take on challenging situations? (Getting hotter..)

Become the highest version of self so I can achieve any goal...this leads to me helping others to do the same..make an IMPACT! (pretty awesome)

Starting with strong reasons, will actually strengthen discipline and commitment, however, relying on these two solely will almost always end in frustration, stress, and failure.

Thus, want to follow through consistently and achieve success and higher performance?

Take Apple and Amazons' lead and Start by clarifying a stronger WHY = reasons, for doing what you are doing. This will allow you to endure the difficult patches so you can reach levels you never thought possible.

See you on the other side...J

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Nightly Routines...a perfect morning starts with a perfect Nightly Routine (NR).

2. Dedicating time to learn daily with Audible. Small investments, producing large returns. Exponentially.

3. Strengthening psychic umbrellas throughtout the day - Foxhole, GRR 

Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

Learning and growth come from being immersed with the PROCESS, not the results. Focusing solely on the end result, will force you to RUSH, which will never allow you to fully master the process. 

GROWTH is the enemy of comfort. 

What are you grateful for?

Meggo finally being home. Always feel the big void when she is not here, and it is so good to have her back home!

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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

WEEK 134: DO YOU REALLY WANT IT?

The enemy of GROWTH is comfort.      Taylor Welch

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): I am going to keep this post sweet and short this week.

Do you really want it? Do you really want what you are telling everyone you want?

I know these are simple questions, but answering them truthfully will determine the level of success (lack their of) in your life. 

I am going to be a little vulnerable here, and say my weight has been a little like a spinning yo-yo for the last two months.

I thought it was the holidays, then my life abroad, then past experiences, and then....

When it came down to it, it was quite simple.

How did I come to this conclusion?

My mentor. (investing is a true sign you want growth)

He laid it out clearly and said do you really want what you are asking for (an amazing physique, a thriving business)? 

YES, I said.

Then he asked, is there a proven process that you can follow?

I said YES, BUT...

That is when he stopped me and said.

You do not want it?

What I said? 

He said simply, if there is a proven process and you question it, then you do not want it.

I was a bit shocked, but then it started to sink in.

He said, that questioning the process because it does not make sense is keeping you exactly where you are at.

He said that specific thinking that has gotten you to this point, will keep you STUCK where you are at. Naturally, that level of thinking will not let you progress to the next level.

Moving up levels will require you to trust the process and be committed to actions you might not fully understand. This of course will make you quite uncomfortable.

This is where it is easy to revert back to your old habits, but it is in these times of being UNCOMFORTABLE where you need to push through.

WHY?

That is where growth comes from. It would not come if you were comfortable.

My mentor has said this before..."comfort is the enemy of growth."

So I am going to ask you today, do you really want it?

Do you truly want to achieve what you are telling other people you want?

Then due your due diligence and hire that coach, hire that mentor, and do the work (daily) of what they say. No questions asked. 

If you find yourself continually questioning what they say is a sure sign you are playing small. (nothing wrong with this, but be truthful to yourself)

It is simple and as most powerful things are...trust the process, put your head down, face uncomfortable feelings straight on and move past them to grow into higher levels (if you want them).

See you on the other side....J

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Being ok with uncomfortable feelings.

2. Being ok with uncomfortable feelings.

3. Being ok with uncomfortable feelings. 

Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections? 

Reaching new levels will require you to do things that seem uncomfortable to you (you will not understand them, as you have never been there before), this is natural.

Hire someone that knows, that has been through the fire, and trust and follow the process - especially past your comfort zones - to achieve what you set out to!

What are you grateful for?

A mastermind that pushes me to GROW. Even when I feel uncomfortable doing so. 

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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

WEEK 133: AGREEMENTS

Everyone can make agreements, but the real power comes from showing up, sticking to your schedule, and completing the work.

Jess Kuemmerlin

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): This week I want to discuss how you can achieve any goal (ANY) and set yourself for higher and higher levels of success.

That is right, any goal , any success. 

Earn a million dollars. Check!

Make an impact to the world. Check!

Or 

Reach that ideal weight. Check!

It is quite simple, but what I have learned is the simple things are the ones make the most difference.

Yet, it is the same old simple things which are often times overlooked when taking on new challenges. 

It would be similar to building a house without a foundation, as you want to get to building the walls and second level. As you know the house would crumble before you even finished. 

Crazy thing is you actually do this all the time everyday, yet you are probably unaware of the consequences you produce from not fulling this one thing.

What is it?

AGREEMENTS.

What do I mean by this?

Well, on a daily basis you are creating many different agreements with yourself and others. 

For example, your friend asks you to water the plants when they go out of town.

Or 

You agree to not eat those cookies, as you are on the path to achieving your ultimate physique.

What I have learned and learned from others about success, is everyone can make agreements,  but it is those who are uber successful who actually keep them.

That is it!

Like I said, super simple stufff.

Now the trouble comes when we make agreements haphazardly. You agree to do everything, and only actually keep a few of them.

What is the trouble in this?

Well, you train your mind you are not a person who keeps their word and does not fulfill agreements. Thus, when you do make an agreement to achieve something amazing, you will have the urge (subconsciously) to not fulfill it.

Why?

Because you have not kept you word on most ogher things.

What is the fix?

Simple (a key theme in this post). First, identify a purpose, define the destination. This alone, will be huge as it gives you the power to say no, but also focuses your activities. However, start small and just make agreements you know you can fulfill. This will allow you to prove to yourself you are a person who can fulfill an agreement, and done consistently, will help you fulfill other, larger agreements in the future!

So, want to achieve a higher level of success? Want to achieve any worthwhile goal?

Then start keeping your agreements!

Agreed?

See you on the other side...J

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Viewing trials, barriers, set-backs, and gaps as opportunities to triumph.

2. Disciplined to Zen. This impacts so many other areas of life lived at the highest level.

3. Morning routine. It sets up your internal machinery for success. 

Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

Keep your agreements! This will prove to yourself you can take on bigger and more challenging things when they arise. 

What are you grateful for?

The ability to host Megans father and show him our lives in China!

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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