Readily Take Action

This is entirely what this book is about (I hope that much is clear by now!). The highly successful take unbelievable amounts of action. Regardless of what that action looks like, these people rarely do nothing—even when they are on vacation (just ask their spouses or families!). Whether it is by way of getting others to take action for them, getting attention for their products or ideas, or just grinding it out day and night, the successful have been consistently taking high levels of action— before anyone ever heard their names. The unsuccessful talk about a plan for action but never quite get around to doing what they claim they’re going to do—at least enough to ever get what they want. Successful people assume that their future achievements rely on investing in actions that may not pay off today but that when taken consistently and persistently over time will sooner or later bear fruit.

Massive action is the one thing I know I can depend on from myself, even when times are tough. Your ability to take

action will be a major factor in determining your potential success—and is a discipline that you should spend time on daily. It’s not a gift or trait I was “lucky” enough to receive or inherit; it’s a habit that must be developed. Laziness and lack of action are ethical issues for me. I don’t think it’s right or acceptable for me to be lazy. It is not a “character flaw” that’s caused by some invented disease, any more than a highly active person is somehow “blessed.” No one is born to sprint or run a marathon any more than some people are born to take more action than others. Action is necessary in order to create success and can be the single defining quality that will enable you to make the list of successful people. No mat- ter who you are or what you’ve done in life so far, you can develop this habit in order to enhance your success.

12. Always Say “Yes”

To really go at it in life and in business, you have to say yes to everything. It’s something you’ll see successful people do time and again—not because they can but because they cftoose to say yes. They eagerly engage in life and realize that the word “yes” has more life and possibilities in it—and is clearly so much more positive than “no.” When a client asks me to do something, I say, “Yes, I will be happy to/would love to/want to make it work for you.” I have a saying: “I never say no until I have to.” It’s a great way to tell someone no (that is, if you absolutely must). When given an option to do or not do something, always say yes! Life is to be lived— something that becomes impossible to do when you’re con- stantly saying no. Although many suggest that it is critical to know what to say no to, the reality is most people don’t venture out and don’t experience enough in life. They refuse to take on new things and experiences as often as they should. You know that you have an automatic “no” in you all ready to go—one that is backed with a 100 reasons why you

can’t, shouldn’t, or don’t have time to do something. Give this a try: Say yes for now until you become so successful that you are forced to add “no” to your arsenal and start managing your time and efforts. Until then, make “yes” part of your success- ful habits. Say yes to your kids, spouse, clients, boss, and most importantly, to yourself. It will propel you to new adventures, new solutions, and new levels of success.

Habitually Commit

The successful fully and consistently commit to activities— some of which require them to put it all on the line. This goes back to the concept of being “all in” that I described earlier. It also relates to operating with some level of danger and refusing to play it safe. Unsuccessful people rarely commit to anything entirely. They are always talking about “trying,” and when they do commit, it is normally in destructive acts and habits. Commitment is actually one of the things of which there is a shortage. Far too many individuals and organizations fail to commit fully to their activities, duties, obligations, and responsibilities to see things all the way through. To acquire success, it is vital that you quit testing the water’s temperature and simply jump in! Devoting yourself to something all the way means that there’s no backing out. It is just like when you jump into a body of water; once you decide to go for it, you can’t stop yourself midair.

I would prefer a person who is able to fully commit over one who is completely educated any day. Commitment is a sign that someone is pledging him- or herself completely to a position, issue, or action. Successful people see past the problems and are able to keep their focus on the promise they’ve made to themselves or others. They keep their eyes on the outcome or action the entire time. When I com- mit to ensuring success for myself, my family, a project, or my company, it means that I will do whatever is necessary

to make that pledge a reality and fulfill my commitment. Commitments are not something for which you can make excuses, nor are they something you negotiate with or on which you can “give up.” Commit fully as though you are already successful and demonstrate that commitment to all those with—and for—whom you work.

Go All the Way

As they say in AA, “Half measures achieved us nothing.” For members, this means that you can’t get sober if you are drinking—even a little bit. In the world of success and achieve- ments, half measures achieve nothing in terms of results— except for tiring out the person engaging in the half measures. This is why most people refer to work as though it were an illness. Only those who go all the way and see things through until they’re done experience the rewards that the workplace has to offer. Until an action is turned into a success, it is not done. Until you make the potential client a client or the potential investor an investor, you have not gone all the way. This might seem harsh, but if you called a client 50 times and didn’t get the deal done, then you might as well have not called that person at all. This is the point at which people become reasonable and therefore don’t make it. Commit to being completely unreasonable and going all the way. Don’t accept any excuses! No settling allowed!

15. Focus on “Now”

There exist only two times for the successful: now and the future. The unsuccessful spend most of their time in the past and regard the future as an opportunity to procrastinate. “Now” is the period of time that successful people utilize most often to create the futures they desire in order to dominate their environments. You cannot do what unsuccessful people

do, which is to use any excuse they can think of to put off the tasks they should be completing immediately. Instead, you must acquire the discipline, muscle memory, and achievements that result from taking massive action—while others think, plan, and procrastinate. Taking actions immediately allows the most successful to design the future they desire. The successful understand that they must keep taking actions now. They’re well aware that procrastination is the ultimate weakness.

The 10X Rule requires that you take action in massive quantities and immediately. Anyone who puts off doing what he or she can do right now will never gain the momentum and confidence that result from doing so. For example, I once told my staff that I wanted each one of them—even those in administrative positions—to make 50 phone calls. I immedi- ately saw signs of panic appear on everyone’s face—as though this would be impossible to achieve, what with everything else they had to do. So I told them, “You each have 30 minutes to make your calls—go!” I then went to my office and made 28 phone calls in 22 minutes.

You cannot allow even one second of worry or analysis to delay you in situations like these—because every second you spend thinking is a second of action that you’re wasting! You will be amazed how much you can get done when you quit thinking, calculating, and procrastinating and just get on with it and make a habit of acting now. Although this may cause you to feel like you are reacting constantly—causing you to be too spontaneous—it will also make acting a habit. Action is necessary—and there is no time more valuable than now. While others are trying to figure out how they will get something done, you will have already finished it. The person who continues to do more consistently will improve his or her skill set out of sheer survival and adjustment. Discipline your- self to perform now—not later—and I assure you that the volume of endeavors you are undertaking will quickly increase the quality of work—and propel you to move with enhanced conviction and certainty.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 631