Research on the key factors for success has been crap basically. You either find information for your career, your self esteem, or a sales pitch. I figured there would be experts out there that had it nailed down or had solid information. But alas its about at shallow as a kiddy pool out there. I figured its because in everyday life most people only see success in a tradition way. And they only see the cookie-cutter way to get there. The mind set of "If they did it this way, then I'll do it this way with the same or better results" seems to be the poison of choice. Along with countless books at Barnes & Noble in the 'Self Help' section TELLING you how to conduct your life. At the end of the day no one lives your life but YOU. And no one has had the life experiences you have had and lessons along the way.
With my last entry about shedding my old life, and liberating myself to a new path (life), whatever you a want to call it, I talked about tracking my progress. Well tracking is a great, it helps focus one's self. So I got to thinking there should be some killer research on successful people and traits that are common in all. I found nothing mind blowing let me tell you. I feel that its more like themes than an actual "how to do", for being successful. There should be common factors but how you get to where you get, can vary person to person. Also how long can vary, depending on how the factors/traits are utilized. I think and internalize thoughts more than I should. I started mulling over in my head how I've achieved my own successes and how successful people in and throughout my life have reached their summits. What are the common themes? Not how..........its important, but not critical that we all do it the same way.
1. Sleep
In high school and middle school I rocked EVERYTHING. My grades where 95s and better. I got into some amazing colleges. Started clubs, got into honor societies, and won competitions. At that time I was going to bed at 8:30PM. Even on nights where I had sport practices, or work. That sleep I got gave me the rest my mind and body needed to achieve greatness. It also helped with focus, retention, and intensity. In college I got like NO SLEEP. I feel this affected my performance major. I always think back and wonder if I just got 8 hours of sleep what I could have accomplished.
This action would be a theme or trait that I feel leads you to success. It readies you're entire being for battle. Some successful people most likely rely on little to no sleep. But for me I think this leads to long lasting success, and more of it.
2. Tracking
In my last post I spoke about having 4 tracking tools. One for brainstorming, one for workouts, one for "To Dos" on daily basis, and one for the over all picture. Tracking is another trait that leads you to success. You watch and log your progress. It makes you adapt good habits, stick to what you say you are going to do, and keeps you focused. Distractions can slow you down, and derail YOUR progress. One thing I'm going to do every month is collect all my "To Do" list and tally all the items I have completed. What a way to see what you have done! The evidence is so clear. I've also started logging my TV/Lounge time. I want to decrease that as well. Tracking is data. Data is proof. Proof leads to motivation. People always say successful people are motivated, well how does one continues to be motivated and not defeated. TRACKING. Tracking show you data, whether it be progress or failure. This leads to motivation either way.
3. Nutrition
You can't achieve greatness if you can't sleep soundly, fighting blemishes on your face, not staying awake during the day, and poor workout performance. This is where I falter a TON. You think that donut from Dunkin' is going to carry you through the moment but no! Good nutrition will make you feel better, and increase your progress with your physical achievements at the gym. I could rant about this one for days. But I think Dr. Oz has this subject covered.
4. The Company You Keep
So the three traits I list can be affected hugely by the company you keep. If they don't support you and your endeavors, or distract you from doing the 3 traits above its detrimental to your success. One friend I no longer talk to would always be negative and make comments that I thought I was better than everyone or that I was too obsessed. Well long story short after breaking off that toxic friendship I got an internship and completed 2 summer courses.......BOOM IN YO FACE. If you date someone that drinks their face off every night and eats McDonald's like is Jenny Craig, then is going to be rather difficult to focus. Surround yourself with people who have similar aspirations, supportive friends, competition, and mentors to get there. Toxic people, and people not in line with your mindset are DISTRACTORS to the process. I don't care if you are trying to be the best kite flyer, if you have someone in your life that says "I hate windy days" limit time with them.
5. Compare But Be You
Too many times I've compared myself to someone else, and it ended in self mutilating. By all means compare your progress and success to others. But do it with more observation. See whats working and not work for them, and utilize it in YOUR journey. Please do not get caught up in comparing 24/7........you'll lose focus. And its another distractor. They are not you, bottom line. For instance, I'm good at picking up heavy things and putting them down, but give me a body weight movement and I'm toast. If I compare myself to someone that can whip through pull up but they are 95 lbs, that's just stupid. Because I know I can deadlift close to 300 lbs and then can only do 185. But I take lessons from them, such as their form.
6. Intensity
Nothing was accomplished without intensity. Intensity has a spectrum though and for each of your goals
you have to take a stance. Intensity can burn you out don't get me wrong but it can accelerate your progress.
7. Accepting Failure
Sometimes you just gotta fall flat on your ass to make progress. I have fail MANY times, and probably the hardest of most I know. But failure gives you a benchmark for progress. If I was good at everything I wouldn't need success, and the term wouldn't exist. It goes back to that compare thy self at #5. Also failure shows you that you are working hard and the intensity is through the roof. Those that never fail didn't but effort into squat and didn't take a damn risk to say their life. I feel that failure also helps you improve and evolve your process whatever it may be. Plus isn't it great when you have failure stories when you reach you goals and increase your success? "There was a time when I couldn't........and now I can"
8. Consistency
Here my friends is the sworn enemy of progress and success..........not adhere to consistency. If we didn't walk everyday we would be weaker and lousy at.........and in extremes fail to be able to do it. Without consistency we cannot better ourselves. Eating right, sleeping, following a training plan, and tracking. All of these activities need consistency to be able to show progress and what is/isn't working. As humans, especially in today's world we lack consistency, which in my opinion shows lack of commitment to ones self and pure laziness. We always look for the easiest way to do something and most times there isn't and what is left boils down to consistency. Its like the '10,000 Hour Rule". If you do something for a total of 10,000 your an expert or damn near close. So going back to #2 (Tracking) if I track my progress for whatever I'm trying to excel at for 365 days a year, at an hour each day..........27 years down the road I'm an expert. With that said start with consistency TODAY! I'm in my 20s and I start 5 years ago after college attempting consistency so........I roughly have 22 years left to become a MASTER BALLA. So by my late 40s I will be solid as a mountain. Crazy to think of it this way but you have to start somewhere. Don't let yourself have allowances, its not needed in life. Be a rock. Also consistency breaks bad habits, and gets rid of poor company. How many free throws do you think Michael Jordan made..........A SHIT TON. Its not luck its planned luck.
9. Patience
With consistency comes patience. You might be a loser, fat ass now, but give it some time and things will improve. I have no patience with myself half the time, and that is the moment were I beat myself up, not in a useful critical way but one where I don't expect failure, and then lose my consistency. Have patience, our world is lacking patience. That's what people embark on those stupid fad diets. That's why people listen to Dr. Oz and pop supplements. Pump the breaks, please and thank you. You work yourself into a frenzy. I take life lessons from PhD researchers, they work YEARS on their research and wait for answers. Some they never get and some they only get a piece at a time. Its remarkable that they have the capacity to endure this. Most times we've been ruining our bodies over years, and its going to take time to get it back to ground zero. Or with our goals there are steps that take time. If we can't have patience for ourselves then can we evoke any other disciplined traits and self control? I think not patience take self control, and living in the NOW.
10. Research & Ability To Adapt
Here is a trait that I think is an unsung hero and a stealth bomber. Please listen carefully to be successful you have to be constantly researching how to be better. That's it! Research better tracking tools, better nutrition, better fitness advancement, classes to make you better and the list goes on. Hell I've even researched how to sleep more effectively. Through research you find new and improved methods that put you ahead of your competition (yes they are out there). Researching puts you out on this ledge of possibility. It also steers you away from bullshit. Not all information is built the same. Is called continuous improvement people. If I did the same shit every day and every year to get better my progress wouldn't be the same you know? Along with this crazy researching is the ability to adapt. This means if you fail at something you might need to change and adapt. You might have a issue physically.......adapt and find away to keep going forward. Or you have to do a Skype interview. If you can change and adapt with no effort you'll be ahead of your competition. This trait makes you resilient. If nothing bothers your or stops you in your tracks imagine what you can do. This also removes a sworn enemy.......FEAR. Fear is paralyzing in progress and success. If you are in the FEAR ZONE, things slow, and most likely back track. Research possibilities and mold yourself into something new when need be.
11. NEVER GIVE UP (Persistence)
The one that wins races, competitions, or bonuses are those that NEVER GIVE UP........no for any reason. Persistence is the final trait that I feel makes or breaks progress and success. No matter how many times that person gets 1st place and you get 3rd place matters, what counts is that you never give up trying to beat them. While there striding at a #1, you are gaining on them day by day. Persistence to me is the ability to not be weak and to never give up on yourself. Persistence takes loads of energy hence why I stated the first 3 traits. You have to put you feet on the ground every morning when you wake up and do something that works toward your progression to success, in what ever category you are in. You have to be willing to be the person working an extra hour, or utilizing even the small moments in life. Think about the successful people in your life...........they NEVER GIVE UP. Once you slack someone else will get ahead. Even if its a small advancement each day...........you are making ground, and in turn motivating yourself.
This by no means bases on scientific fact. But this is what has worked for me or I see in others. I'm going to follow my own advice of course. Lastly be YOU. If not then you are just like the rest of the poor sods on this earth. I look around and all I see are IPADS, Coach bags, headphones, running, and lean cuisines. If I follow this "normal" path how boring first off but I'll never be better. I don't care about what normally is cared about. I just know I have a plan, and now I broke down the traits I need to adhere to in order to be successful. I have the tools and the attitude. I'll be a lone wolf before I'll join the pack.........cue the Hang Over jokes.
Seriously who give a fly fuck about what we should be doing ,or what's important to others. From my perspective others are concerned with being obese, have shit they don't need, attracting the opposite sex (or whatever your orientation) when they are lame as hell, and "fitting in". Fitting in sucks! I hate how other people dress for one, and the men women pick, seriously?
Ok go forth and prosper and by all means don't listen to be and create your own blog to rant on...........I mean that's what I did
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