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