Steve Jobs, 1955-2011
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma–which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Do you fix it or get a new _____?
Stuff breaks…devices, furniture, cars, homes. Relationships break, friendships, bonds, they weather, erode and break.
Broken things can be fixed many times. Not always, but often. It takes love, care and commitment. It takes learning how to fix them, maybe without a manual or a guide.
Things we love are worth trying to fix. Yeah, we can go get a new thing that isn’t broken…yet. But the “old” thing has our memories and our love. The new thing doesn’t and may never have it, and even if it does it won’t be the same. The old thing might be fixed, and it will still have our love and our memories…probably more so.
What’s my fuel? (and what’s yours?)
Everyone has to have fuel to light the fire that ignites you, and sustains you as you go. It’s important to know what that is and keep it in supply. Without it, you’ll fizzle.
This is how you find your fuel:
1. Begin with the end in mind. What does success look like? What does it feel like? If you don’t have a clearly defined goal, how can you have any direction? Figure that out first, otherwise you’re in la-la land.
2. What are your reasons for wanting to achieve your goals? WHY you want to achieve them is more important than HOW. Answer the WHY and you’ll find a way HOW. Know clearly what the rewards are and dangle these in front of yourself at all times. I have pictures that remind me of my rewards strategically placed at home, in my car and my office at work. It’s going to be tough to achieve your goals. You have GOT to keep the WHY in mind always.
3. Build your success team. If you can find someone who is already living the dream, someone who has already accomplished your goal, you should model their habits, techniques, patterns, etc. Share your goals and plans with close friends, supportive relatives and likeminded colleagues. Find, network and interact with others online and offline who can give you constructive feedback, ideas and share their expertise with you. Beware the haters and naysayers – some people will be threatened by your ambition and confidence. Some people believe success is all based on luck, looks and natural talent. It’s a cop-out some people use to make themselves feel better. Don’t let their negativity sway you from believing in yourself. As James Cameron said regarding risk taking, “Luck is not a factor. Hope is not a strategy. Fear is not an option.”
With all that said, this is my fuel:
- Within two years I’ll be free to spend my time as I see fit and be where I want to be. I’ll no longer be tied to a specific location and schedule in order to support myself and my family; I will have cut the tether between my time and my income.
- I’m doing this because it’s how I’m made to live. I’m wired to be an entrepreneur, to operate by my own clock and find my own ways to be successful, and the more freedom I have to set my own schedule and create something of my own, the happier and more successful I’ll be. I’ve always been the kid who refuses to do homework but knocks science fair out of the park. I’m by no means better than anyone who works well in a structured environment and flawlessly executes precise instructions. I’m just different. The world needs both of types of people.
- I make the most of every day and I love what I do, even the things I do to make a living, and produce actual value for others, something I’m very proud of. My accomplishments along the way toward my goal are excellent fuel.
- My success team is vitally important to me. I have good friends to bounce ideas off of and their belief in me amplifies my confidence and enthusiasm. I have a super-smart, type-A wife/best-friend/consigliere who gives me a reality check, sympathy and/or a good idea when I need it. And I have models and mentors I follow, study and learn from.
Got fuel?
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