My Super-Charged Life: Life is Too Short

Whether we take action or sit still, our time on earth continues to tick away.  This post over at My Super-Charged Life is a call to arms for those putting off taking the action they know they need to take in their lives.  I won’t pretend to be able to communicate this message any more effectively than the original author.  The part of the blog that caught my attention follows:

“Will you go to your grave without having lived your best life because you were too stubborn to face a few things you needed to change?”

Wow.  Check out the whole piece. 

Houston, We Have a Problem

Recognizing that your life is completely in your control is one of the most important first steps you can take towards the life of your dreams.  Coupled with that realization, however, is having to admit that the reason you’ve failed to achieve your dream life is because of you.  You can’t take credit for the good things in your life without taking some of the blame for the bad.

 Of course, this is not what most of us do.  Human nature tells us to blame our problems on others, to be resigned to the idea that our lives are predetermined by external factors.  The problem with this approach is nothing ever gets better, because we can only change things that are under our control.   Out of your control means no responsibility to lift a finger.

 The harsh truth: it’s all under your control.  Have something you’ve always wanted to be different, but it hasn’t changed?  Guess what?  It’s your fault.

 You may be making excuses at this point – a slow metabolism, an old boss who doesn’t “get it,” not enough free time/money/hands – but if you look closely at your situation, you eventually recognize that the major choices all lie with you.  If you don’t believe yet that it’s your fault, just pretend that it is for the time being.  There is a nice benefit to accepting full responsibility for your life as it is: All the power to change your situation is in your hands. 

 The same way addicts must first admit “I am an addict,” we have to admit “I have a problem.” 

 You are in the driver’s seat in this ride of your life.  Maybe you were given the keys to a ’72 Ford Pinto, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive it wherever you want to go.  You and only you can decide where you go next.

Mastermind Group 101 – Why the Mastermind Group Works, Part 1

It is much easier to fool yourself than to fool others.

When you have to voice your rationalizations to only yourself, you can convince yourself of anything you want.

If we are around a group of trusted friends, we’re less likely to B.S. ourselves and each other, because:

1)    We’re more careful about the excuses we tell ourselves, and

2)    We don’t give as many excuses to other people.

Someone hesitating about taking a leap can come up with several reasons not to make a move.   One person listening to you may not feel the need to break in and give you advice.  Even a group of friends may not say anything, as they think you just want to vent and aren’t particularly looking for advice.

A Mastermind Group is different.  When you bring up an issue to the Mastermind Group you are making an affirmative statement that you are not satisfied with your current results and you are inviting support, but also comments and suggestions.  The old excuses and blame of others no longer flies.  The truth eventually comes out.

G.I. Joe said it best: knowing is half the battle.  Most people’s inability to change their life for the better is their inability or unwillingness to see their problems as they are.  Having a mirror on the decisions you make can be tough at first, but it is the sole pathway to creating a better life.

Seth Godin: Get Better With Every Fail

Seth Godin, marketing genius, drops an interesting tidbit of knowledge with this unintuitive gem:

“Someone who gets better whenever he fails will always outperform someone who responds to failure by getting worse. This isn’t something in your DNA, it’s something you can learn or unlearn.”

This is something I’d file under “wouldn’t have guessed that.”  Popular belief tells us that some people are just good under pressure while others aren’t.  In sports they even have terms for it – you’re either “clutch” or you’re a “choker.”

Godin makes a compelling case as to why his statement is true, but put the evidence aside for one moment.  Assume that you can develop the ability to get better every single time you fail at something.  Doesn’t that mean that as long as you keep trying, ultimately you can never fail?

Steve Jobs’ First Attempt at Making a Computer Sucked

Bill Gates’ first try did too.

It’s what happens when you start building something worthwhile.  If it were something you could get right the first time out, someone else would have already done it.

Don’t fear that your first try will be horrible.  Know that it will be.  My first attempt at writing stunk.  So did my second (and so on).  It’s not the natural talent that allows you to hit it out of the park on your first at bat that makes a career.  It’s the discipline to keep working on your swing after 10 strikeouts in a row.

I’d bet money Michael Jordan’s first three pointer was an airball.  Yet when people mull over their “master plan,” they think about the payoff first and their craft second.  Stop it.  You are not going to paint a Picasso on your first try (there’s an argument Pablo didn’t either).

If you are truly going after you truly want, you should have no problem spending time practicing and getting good at it.  Perfecting the craft should be enjoyable on its own.  If not, why are you doing it?

If it’s something physical like a painting or a lemon meringue pie, take a photo of it and laugh at it later.  Years from now, compare it to your masterpiece.

How horribly depressing would it be if the first time you tried something, you were as good as you’d ever be?  Fortunately, that’s not how we work.  We get better at things, often drastically on the second try.  Keep track and watch your progress.  And recognize there’s no rush.  The world’s best was terrible once too.