You have big dreams; millions of people do; what makes you different? What sets you apart is your ability to do what they aren’t willing to do. They quit at 5 pm and go home to watch TV. You put the kids to bed, count backward from 5, sit in front of your computer, and get to work. They fail and move on to something else. You run into a setback and use it as a chance to learn and approach the problem from a different angle. They miss the million-dollar opportunity because they are too busy putting out fires. You boldly step forward and claim it. These are the things that will set you apart from everyone else. Your ability to use these tips and tricks to do what others are unwilling to do will lead to your success.
To be successful, you must be willing to do today what others aren’t in order to have the things tomorrow others won’t have.
-Les Brown
Another way to look at it is to picture two versions of yourself. The version you are now and the successful, energetic version you will become. Now ask yourself, what would the successful version do? For example, the old me would have slept yesterday until the kids woke me up at 6:30 or 7:00 am. The new me climbed out of bed at 4 am, wrote a blog post, sat on the deck drinking coffee and watching the sunrise over Puget Sound, and then watered my plants while listening to an audiobook. It was damn close to the perfect morning for me.
If it helps, start small. You need to practice these skills until they become second nature. Make a vision board with your tools listed on it, and post it anywhere you will see it every day. It helps keep them fresh in your mind. Don’t get me wrong, getting out of bed at 4 am the first time was excruciating because I am not a morning person. However, I have done it for years now. I had never made it four days before! Once, I broke my record of two consecutive mornings. It became easier to get up. Currently, I am working on creating an efficient morning routine. Once I do, I will apply the 5-second rule until it is easier. Where is your future self going to take you? What are you going to tackle first?
You now have four powerhouse tips to set you apart from millions: the growth mindset, controlling your fear, the 5-second rule, and working smarter, not harder. We could stop here, and you would have all the tools you need to conquer those big dreams. However, we still have a few more to ensure your success.
