WEEK 140: DOUBT LIMITATIONS

If you are going to doubt anything in your life, doubt your own limitations.    Dan Brule

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): Do you know what the biggest enemy of success is?

Is it fear?

Is it nervousness?

Is it procrastination?

Give you a hint...starts with a D and ends with a T?

Any guesses?

Will tell you in a minute I promise, but have you ever had thoughts which creep into your mind on the path to achieving a new level of success, a place you have never been before. 

Now some of you might say fear or another negative emotions are the true enemy, but these are just the many masks which it wears.  

So what is the biggest enemy to success?

It is DOUBT (more specifically acting on them...more on this later).

To highlight why DOUBT is what you need to be aware of, I have a short story for you.

***

The Devil's Best Tool.

The Devil is going out of business. He is throwing in the towel and is quiting the game.

To earn some money for retirement he is having a yard sale of all of his malicious tools. 

People from far and wide come to the sale and peruse his vast and varied collection of devious tools.

One shopper in particular points to a small piece in a corner and asks why this one tool is so expensive.

The Devil looks at it and chuckles. 

Then he looks at the shopper and tells him that is his best tool.

The shopper asks hwo this small thing could do so much damage?

The Devil goes on to explain that when he has tried everything to break the will of man, he turns to this tool to do his devious work.

The shopper asks the name of the tool and the Devil replies "The Wedge of Doubt."

***

BUT you might be asking, why is a "wedge" so powerful?

Well do you know how a wedge works?

It is made so all it needs is a small space to enter, then small amounts of pressure will allow it to literally split apart what seemed like a solid material.

For example, thick, sturdy pieces of wood can be split in half in a matter of seconds using a simple wedge. 

This is why DOUBT, but more importantly acting on them, is the biggest enemy to success.

I have learned DOUBT will always be on the path to achieving success or meaningful goals. It is a given.

However, it is the ultra successful who learn to leverage it and keep in check, ie do not act on it. 

Another important lesson, is the fact DOUBT has the ability to become omnipresent.

Let me give you an example, preparing for an important meeting. 

You do all the work, but feel the imposter syndrome and tell yourself "who am I to think I am able to do this?"

Then, what started out as a thought turns to you going down a rabbit hole of past failures and every possible way you could fail (acting on it)

Then after minutes (some cases hours) you snap out of it, but then you continue to question yourself.

This self-doubt which just started out as a thought, now will color every interaction or thing you see.

You see a dog with a grimacing look on his face, a stranger bumps into you and does not say a word, a colleague gives you a cold stare passing in the corridor...the world is against your!

Similar to a singular cancer cell, it ravages the cells around it and multiplies exponentially.

YET...

There is hope. 

You can control and even use DOUBT to your advantage. 

How?

One, understand DOUBT is a given and will always rear it head on the path to achieving higher levels of success.

Two, build a system of success where you see doubt and keep it on the "sidelines" not in the field of play.

Simple, yet it is the simple things which get overlooked first.

See you on the other side...J

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Creating a list of actions I need to take for the following day. Makes it so there is no wasted time.

2. NMR. These are crucial prime the day for success.

3. Taking breaks on non-push days. These allow me to recharge so I can come back 1005 every Monday!

Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

You can achieve anything you want. You just have to one, trust and believe, and two, stick to your rules (this will be next weeks post)!

What are you grateful for?

The ability to lead others. My 2nd grader teacher one said I would one day lead people, either down an alley or to a higher road, and am so grateful I have gained the tools to take people to become the HVS (Highest Versions of Selves)!

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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 139: SEQUENCE

Focusing on what people accomplish without understanding their mindset leads to limited results, if any at all.   Tim Ferris

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): This week I want to share with you a simple, yet powerful thing about achieving success.

The title gives it away but it has to do with sequence. 

Similar to how a successful real estate agent will say Location, Location, Location. 

A successful entrepreneur will say Sequence, Sequence, Sequence.

Before we get into it, I want to take you down memory lane. (I promise to keep it simple, so do not run away).

Do you remember back in your early math classes where you learned the operations of operations?

You did not know it then, but this simple chapter sets the foundation for the rest of your formative math years.

You get it, then it is a breeze through Calculus.

You don't get it, you struggle with pre-algebra and every math class until you graduate. 

For example, 2 + 3 * 4 is not equal to 2 * 4 + 3. The first answer is 14, where as the second is 11. Order matters!

Now ORDER or the SEQUENCE is the secret to accelerating your path to achieving new levels of success.

HOW?

Well, the correct order will produce sustainable results, where the wrong one will only produce temporary ones at best.

Struggle happens with both, but it will last longer (way longer) with the wrong order.

The correct order will focus you on learning, whereas the wrong one is focused on rushing to create results (robs you of learning and mastering the process).

It is like the phrase "putting the cart before the horse..." you just won't get anywhere. 

Of course you might be able to achieve it in other ways, but by the time you get there (if you ever do), you will not be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

Now what is the correct sequence?

Lean in...

You must have a Mindset of Success (systems), before you achieve success. 

Or another way to think about this is you must first BE before you can ACHIEVE.

Let me give you example of this. 

Weight loss.

Let's take a look at the wrong order first.

You try to achieve it first, but thinking you will BE it.

Now here is why it does not work.

You can DO all the actions and you will probably lose weight, and some of you will reach your weight loss goal. 

Yet, why is it that so many gain it all back?

You lose, gain, lose, gain...continually riding the yo-yo diet train.

The reason is you took the wrong sequence of steps.

You took all the action, but did not build the mindset (systems) to ensure success.

Thus, you had those BINGE days, weeks and gained it all back.

Whereas, if you were to build the mindset (systems)to help you truly learn about the process and help you believe you are the person who can keep the weight off, then the weight will stay off (not easy, but gives you a higher probability of you succeeding).

Another huge one is courses. I see so many buying courses online thinking just buying the course will ensure their success. 

Yet, so many either ask for a refund or quit before they finish the course as they are overwhelmed by the information.

Crazy, but true.

Want to accelerate success, just remember the order...BE and ACHIEVE.

See you on the other side...J

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. NMR - my best weapons against the killer of dreams...DOUBT.

2. Learning to master Zen...opeing up new levels of thought, health, and life. 

3. Instilling my psychic umbrellas - Foxhole, GRR, and Worry to Arouse WF.

Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

Doing hard things are the givens and gateways to new levels of success. 

What are you grateful for?

Having an abundance lens. Seeing opportunity everywhere. Opportunity to be grateful or opportunity to triumph!

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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 138: PLAY BY THE RULES

You have to learn the rules to the game. And then you play better than anyone else.     Anonymous

REFLECTIONS (learnings and actions): This week I write to you from a balcony over looking the Hong Kong bay.

The views are great and I have had an amazing weekend rejuvenating (definitely needed for growth) and exploring a new area of HK.

Now this brings me to the topic this week, which deals with a simple idea which guarantees you success (or not).

I have talked about this before in separate emails, but this week I am going to tie it all together.

But before I start I want to share something I have had to learn in order to get around this specific neighborhood of HK.

The area I am staying is actually layered into the hills of the HK mountains. You have lower level, then your mid levels and it is no joke getting from one level to the next.

They actually have escalators which take people from one level to the next, which run 24/7.

Of course there are stairs, where you can go up or down, but the majority of people take the escalators.

However, the escalators only run a certain way according to the traffic patterns of the day.For example, in the morning hours from around 6 AM (not sure if before as I was not up then) to 10 AM the escalators run down and take people to the lower levels where there are more shops.Where as, after 10 AM, the escalators run up and take people from the bottom back up to their apartments.

These are the RULES which govern how the escalator system runs.

They do not change, they are fixed, and ensure people either move up or down the mountain.

Here is the thing, this example of the RULES which govern which way the escalators take people from the levels in HK actually tells you a lot about success (or lack there of).

HOW?

Well, it all starts with goals.

Most people do not know goals actually are compromised of TWO main categories. Results and Process.

Results, everyone knows. Actually, this is why most people fail at achieving them, as they solely focus on the end result. 

This causes them to see the GAP between where they are and where they want to be (actually a large distance usually), which produces tension, which then leads to uncomfortable feelings, ie fear, anxiety, and DOUBT.

This is a far cry from your comfort zone and this is where you usually retreat back and either take a break from your goals or even quit them altogether.

Where as, successful people know you start with the end in mind and set you target with the result.

BUT...then, they focus solely on the process of achieving the goal, the daily decisions and actions which they take to produce outcomes they desire. 

They do not worry about the result, but shift the majority of their focus and energy to the actions which they need to take to achieve the result they are looking for (usually only a few).

The PROCESS = DAILY DECISIONS AND ACTIONS = LEAD INDICATORS = RULES. 

It is quite simple. You want to achieve any goal. Let me say that again. Do you want to achieve any goal?

Do you want to reach levels of success you never thought possible?

Then stick to your RULES which ensure your success.

Consider these RULES similar to breaking the law and you will be thrown in jail if you break them.

I promise you will be pro-active, and constantly take steps to move closer to achieving the end results you choose.

Again, simple right?

Yet, it is the simple things that get overlooked first.

Have a great week and see you on the other side...J

Top three activities that move me forward?

1. Scheduling time to RELAX and rejuvenate. 

2. Sticking to ZEN. Even on these days where I am programmed to eat what I want, I am learning the closer I stick to it the better I will be to enjoy all of life.

3. Scheduling relax time where I am forced to unplug.

Biggest lessons/learnings and corrections?

Zen is the new normal. I suffer, literally physically (which affects the mental side), when I move farther away from it.

What are you grateful for?

Having the abundance to take a weekend away to rejuvenate myself for the coming quarter - body, mind, soul - all in tranquil states as I get back to crushing this next quarter!

-----
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