The Top 3 Saboteurs Preventing You From Accomplishing Mighty Things
Categories: Career Advice
Do you have a project that just never seems to get done?
Speaking Dutch? Escaping the nine-to-five world and setting up your own business? Developing a six-pack? Writing a book?
There is something that magically comes up and stops you before you even get started, right? Through my own research and surveys, I identified eight saboteurs of big, bold projects. In this article, I introduce you to the top three and provide you with solutions to free you from these foes.
Saboteur 1. Focus
Have you noticed how busy we are? Our agendas are full of activities. We go to bed tired and wake up without feeling truly rested. More importantly, we do not complete our dream projects. How is it possible we took action yet still didn’t get the results we desired?
We live in a world full of distractions. Smartphones with social media updates, messaging services, and more seductive diversions rule our every moment. We fill our agendas with never-ending responsibilities. Every day we spin our wheels and at night we despondently reflect, disappointed we didn’t make any progress on our most precious projects.
Focus is a decision. You need to decide what kind of life you want to lead. You need to decide who you would like to be. You need to decide what legacy you would like to create. Decide now. Will another night in front of the TV write your book? Will another senseless meeting design that innovative business strategy? Will eating another piece of cake give you that six-pack?
You have to be deeply rooted to fulfill your mighty vision. You have to become obsessed with how you want your life to be. Decide. Say no to 99 percent of “stuff.” Concentrate. Focus on your top priority. Focus is a decision.
Saboteur 2. Motivation
Everyone would love motivation to fuel them forward. However, motivation is elusive. What may motivate you may not motivate others and vice versa. Hunger, illness, and poverty may lead some to depression and stagnation. However, these and other horrific events are precisely the fires that fueled many famous people to move mountains. Think about Richard Branson’s ADHD and dyslexia, Oprah’s awful childhood and the racism she suffered, and the poverty Tony Robbins experienced.
They turned their lives around by learning to ask better questions. Instead of trying to understand the reasons behind their misfortune, trying to identify whom to blame, or trying to find motivation, they instead asked questions that open possibilities. What can I take away from this? How can I make this better or perfect? What can I now do? What is possible? What if this was a blessing in disguise? What if this is the building block for my next big move?
When you are able to ask better questions in the midst of boredom, anger, or sadness, you will instantly be motivated. You will generate your own motivation. Asking better questions will allow you to think clearer. When you think clearer, you feel better. When you feel better, you can create wonders.
Saboteur 3. Time
“I don’t have time” is the dirtiest lie of them all. However, it is the most common. We have grown to believe this statement is true. Still it’s a lie. The homeless, Elon Musk, you, and me have the same number of hours, minutes, and seconds in a day, so how can we get out this circular lie?
We must replace this statement with a new mantra: “I do have time.” Say it. Feel it. Believe it. You DO have time. Every day, you are presented with 24 wonderful gifts: each hour of the day.
I don’t suggest you say yes to all that comes your way. Au contraire, you must first have a vision of what you would like to see happen in your life. When you are able to see that big picture, you’ll be able to reverse engineer it. This will help you understand your next steps and actions, so you can fulfill that vision. It’ll become clear to you what needs to happen this year, this quarter, this month, this week, today, and finally, this very moment.
It’ll be crystal clear what to say yes to. Everything else will be a “no.” Suddenly you’ll be blessed with an abundance of time to do all you want in your life.
What mighty thing will you attempt now?
Make a decision right now: which bold project will you commit to? You won’t “give it a try.” You will commit. You will focus on it. You’ll do whatever it takes. Do you have it? This is your first step: focus.
With this clarity you need to take immediate action. Success loves swift action. Passivity generates terror. Don’t think about it. What action, no matter how small, can you take within the next hour? Do it. Send that email, make that phone call, outline that table of contents, sketch that design.
When the motivation dwindles, when setbacks or simple boredom stops you, look at your pain in the eye. See it. Feel it. Get sick of it and ask a question that will make it vanish. What is this here to teach me? How can I make this better or perfect? These kinds of questions will generate our best healer: inspired action. As soon as you have a glimpse of it, take action. Remember success loves speed.
Finally, make “I do have time” your mantra. This mantra will help you prioritize your agenda.
With focus, motivation, and time on your side, you have won half the battle. If you would like to identify and debunk the other five saboteurs, pop by my website www.blancavergara.com. I would be delighted to help you blast through all the boulders that prevent you from shinning as bright as a diamond. Shine!