Start by getting your free resources here.
Understand "The Success Cycle" from Tony Robbins as mentioned in the video and make it happen! Be certain and decide to take massive action.
Showing posts with label Success. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Success. Show all posts
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
How to Take Massive Action and Get Massive Results
Start by getting your free resources here.
Understand "The Success Cycle" from Tony Robbins as mentioned in the video and make it happen! Be certain and decide to take massive action.
Tuesday, 18 August 2015
Sharpen the Saw | A story for Success
One day two woodcutters have argued, which of them will cut more wood during a day.
In the morning two men took up their positions. First they worked at one speed. But in an hour one of them has heard, that the other one stopped cutting trees. Realizing that this was his chance, the first woodcutter started to cut trees with double efforts.
Ten minutes passed, and he heard that the second woodcutter started to work again. They were working almost synchronously, when the first woodcutter heard that his opponent has stopped again. The first woodcutter continued working, feeling the smell of victory.
This lasted all day long. Each hour one of the woodcutters stopped for ten minutes and the other one continued to work. When time expired, the first woodcutter, who worked without any stopping, was absolutely sure that he won the prize.
He was very surprised to know that was mistaken.
— How did that happen? — He asked his partner. — Each hour I heard that you have stopped the work for ten minutes. How could you cut more trees than I? It’s impossible!
— It is very simple, in fact, — answered the second woodcutter. — Each hour I stopped the work for ten minutes. And when you were cutting the trees, I sharpened the axe.
Source
This story of the woodcutters is a beautiful metaphor for "Sharpen the saw", the 7th habit in Stephen Covey's famous book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
. It's about self renewal in the four areas of life physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual as mentioned in the book.
For me this book meant a shift in focus and has proven to be very beneficial in the way I work with people. I can only recommend this classic!
In the morning two men took up their positions. First they worked at one speed. But in an hour one of them has heard, that the other one stopped cutting trees. Realizing that this was his chance, the first woodcutter started to cut trees with double efforts.
Ten minutes passed, and he heard that the second woodcutter started to work again. They were working almost synchronously, when the first woodcutter heard that his opponent has stopped again. The first woodcutter continued working, feeling the smell of victory.
This lasted all day long. Each hour one of the woodcutters stopped for ten minutes and the other one continued to work. When time expired, the first woodcutter, who worked without any stopping, was absolutely sure that he won the prize.
He was very surprised to know that was mistaken.
— How did that happen? — He asked his partner. — Each hour I heard that you have stopped the work for ten minutes. How could you cut more trees than I? It’s impossible!
— It is very simple, in fact, — answered the second woodcutter. — Each hour I stopped the work for ten minutes. And when you were cutting the trees, I sharpened the axe.
Source
This story of the woodcutters is a beautiful metaphor for "Sharpen the saw", the 7th habit in Stephen Covey's famous book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
. It's about self renewal in the four areas of life physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual as mentioned in the book. For me this book meant a shift in focus and has proven to be very beneficial in the way I work with people. I can only recommend this classic!
Thursday, 13 August 2015
Fail Your Way to Success by Changing your Mindset
One of the reasons Magic Johnston did so well after failure, may have been because he had a growth mindset. People who have a growth mind-set believe that, while everyone may differ in their level of intelligence or ability, fundamentally we can increase this level through hard work.
Magic had a natural sporting ability and by working hard he increased this. If he had possessed a fixed mind-set, which is to believe that one is born with a certain level of intelligence and ability that cannot be changed, then learning from failure would not have been an option.
For example, if you believe that intelligence cannot be increased then failure is going to make you feel hopeless and depressed because there is not much you can do to increase it. Studies have shown that people who are told that intelligence can be raised through hard work and effort do better than those who have been told that intelligence is "fixed".
Do you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset?
If you have a fixed mind-set take time to think about your view of intelligence? Do you feel anxious and depressed after failing? Do you avoid tasks because of fear of failure? Do you put less effort into tasks because you feel hopeless about making progress? Do you find that when you are carrying out a task you are worried about how good you look at it, rather than what you are learning from it? Do you miss learning opportunities because of fear of failure? If you answered "yes" to some of these questions then you probably do possess the belief that intelligence is fixed.
There is hope. Studies have shown that we can change our mind-set. Reading and thinking about the growth mindset can activate a change in our views of intelligence. Next time you fail, pay attention to how you respond to this. What can you learn from the failure? How can you improve your performance through this setback?
(Dweck, 2000. Self-theories: Essays in Social Psychology. See also evidence section. )
Read more about a successful mindset and view one of Carol Dweck's presentations about "the growth mindset" in this article.
Source
Magic had a natural sporting ability and by working hard he increased this. If he had possessed a fixed mind-set, which is to believe that one is born with a certain level of intelligence and ability that cannot be changed, then learning from failure would not have been an option.
For example, if you believe that intelligence cannot be increased then failure is going to make you feel hopeless and depressed because there is not much you can do to increase it. Studies have shown that people who are told that intelligence can be raised through hard work and effort do better than those who have been told that intelligence is "fixed".
Do you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset?
If you have a fixed mind-set take time to think about your view of intelligence? Do you feel anxious and depressed after failing? Do you avoid tasks because of fear of failure? Do you put less effort into tasks because you feel hopeless about making progress? Do you find that when you are carrying out a task you are worried about how good you look at it, rather than what you are learning from it? Do you miss learning opportunities because of fear of failure? If you answered "yes" to some of these questions then you probably do possess the belief that intelligence is fixed.
There is hope. Studies have shown that we can change our mind-set. Reading and thinking about the growth mindset can activate a change in our views of intelligence. Next time you fail, pay attention to how you respond to this. What can you learn from the failure? How can you improve your performance through this setback?
(Dweck, 2000. Self-theories: Essays in Social Psychology. See also evidence section. )
Read more about a successful mindset and view one of Carol Dweck's presentations about "the growth mindset" in this article.
Source
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Five Things Successful People Do Before They Go To Bed
The time before going to bed is critical to ensure that one closes out the day that has passed, plans for the day ahead, but it is also critical that the mind is calmed so that one has a restful sleep. Too many successful executives get this wrong. One can only burn the candle at both ends for so long before it will mean that they are not as productive as they should be at work, and not as happy as they should be overall. Based on research and conversation with successful executives on the topic, here are the five things that successful people do before they go to sleep:
1. Spend Time with Family
Successful executive often have a difficult time drawing the line between work and personal life, simply picking work back up upon arrival at home. The time to decompress with family is essential. As David Brooks points out, a happy marriage (and by extension a happy family) is more important than a good job to one’s well being. I must admit that I was also struck by Alex Blumberg’s thoughts during episode four of the excellent Startup podcast entitled, “Startups are Risky Business“, in which he describes how he was overcome with emotion in reading Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, and learning for the first time the lesson intended for parents: you only have so much time before your children will be independent of you. Make the most of your time with them.
2. Read
Successful people read prodigiously. The reading should not always be about topics related to work, mind you. Reading fiction or non-fiction in fields not directly related to your own may also have the added benefit of providing unusual and less obvious insights to take to work, as so much innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines. Ultimately, though, simply reading for enjoyment is a key way to relax. A study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that reading tablets or eReaders may be disruptive to sleep because of the light that is emitted by such platforms. Old fashioned books and magazines are the better option before going to bed.
3. Plan in Order to Relax the Mind
It may seem counter-intuitive that thinking about one’s plans will help calm the mind, but having a well documented plan means that you can rest knowing that the plan will be there when you awaken. Here is how it is done:
Many people have difficulty drifting off to sleep at night because the still have the day’s events playing in their heads, and they are concerned about the day ahead. Reduce these concerns with some well timed planning. According to Business Insider, American Express AXP CEO Kenneth Chenault “likes to write down the top three things he wants to accomplish the next day. This helps him prioritize first thing the next morning.
4. Turn Off the Cellphone and Other Computing
The sounds emitted by mobile phones, computers, and tablets are needless distractions when you are drifting off to sleep. Quell that issue by turning them all off. This will allow you to focus on one thing at a time, whether it is your family, reading, or planning. In fact, it is during these times of relative quiet when new ideas may come. Barry Gordon, who is a professor of neurology and cognitive science at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine noted in Scientific American that “Although thoughts appear to “pop” into awareness before bedtime, their cognitive precursors have probably been simmering for a while. Once those preconscious thoughts gather sufficient strength, the full spotlight of consciousness beams down on them. The mind’s freewheeling friskiness is only partly under our control, so shutting our mind off before we sleep is not possible.” By having fewer distractions at the end of the day, these ideas may surface. It is useful to have a notepad and a pen on your night stand (as opposed to your phone or tablet) to note these ideas when they occur to you.
5. Get Seven Hours of Sleep
There has been new sleep research that suggests that seven hours sleep may be better than the eight that your mother condoned. Whatever the number, though, getting enough sleep is crucial to ensure maximum memory and brain performance in the day ahead. You might ask, ,”I thought the topic related to activities before sleeping, not while sleeping.” Planning the amount of time one sleeps is of critical importance, so working back from wake-up times to ensure that seven hours is achieved is optimal.
Source
1. Spend Time with Family
Successful executive often have a difficult time drawing the line between work and personal life, simply picking work back up upon arrival at home. The time to decompress with family is essential. As David Brooks points out, a happy marriage (and by extension a happy family) is more important than a good job to one’s well being. I must admit that I was also struck by Alex Blumberg’s thoughts during episode four of the excellent Startup podcast entitled, “Startups are Risky Business“, in which he describes how he was overcome with emotion in reading Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree, and learning for the first time the lesson intended for parents: you only have so much time before your children will be independent of you. Make the most of your time with them.
2. Read
Successful people read prodigiously. The reading should not always be about topics related to work, mind you. Reading fiction or non-fiction in fields not directly related to your own may also have the added benefit of providing unusual and less obvious insights to take to work, as so much innovation happens at the intersection of disciplines. Ultimately, though, simply reading for enjoyment is a key way to relax. A study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that reading tablets or eReaders may be disruptive to sleep because of the light that is emitted by such platforms. Old fashioned books and magazines are the better option before going to bed.
3. Plan in Order to Relax the Mind
It may seem counter-intuitive that thinking about one’s plans will help calm the mind, but having a well documented plan means that you can rest knowing that the plan will be there when you awaken. Here is how it is done:
- Create a list of what was accomplished in the prior day
- Note what was not accomplished, and what should be to dos for the day ahead
- Note new to dos for the day ahead
Many people have difficulty drifting off to sleep at night because the still have the day’s events playing in their heads, and they are concerned about the day ahead. Reduce these concerns with some well timed planning. According to Business Insider, American Express AXP CEO Kenneth Chenault “likes to write down the top three things he wants to accomplish the next day. This helps him prioritize first thing the next morning.
4. Turn Off the Cellphone and Other Computing
The sounds emitted by mobile phones, computers, and tablets are needless distractions when you are drifting off to sleep. Quell that issue by turning them all off. This will allow you to focus on one thing at a time, whether it is your family, reading, or planning. In fact, it is during these times of relative quiet when new ideas may come. Barry Gordon, who is a professor of neurology and cognitive science at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine noted in Scientific American that “Although thoughts appear to “pop” into awareness before bedtime, their cognitive precursors have probably been simmering for a while. Once those preconscious thoughts gather sufficient strength, the full spotlight of consciousness beams down on them. The mind’s freewheeling friskiness is only partly under our control, so shutting our mind off before we sleep is not possible.” By having fewer distractions at the end of the day, these ideas may surface. It is useful to have a notepad and a pen on your night stand (as opposed to your phone or tablet) to note these ideas when they occur to you.
5. Get Seven Hours of Sleep
There has been new sleep research that suggests that seven hours sleep may be better than the eight that your mother condoned. Whatever the number, though, getting enough sleep is crucial to ensure maximum memory and brain performance in the day ahead. You might ask, ,”I thought the topic related to activities before sleeping, not while sleeping.” Planning the amount of time one sleeps is of critical importance, so working back from wake-up times to ensure that seven hours is achieved is optimal.
Source
Monday, 13 July 2015
5 Habits that lead to more Happiness
Happier people are more productive. Way more productive.
According to psychologist (and happiness researcher) Shawn Achor, when your brain is happy, it “performs significantly better than it does at negative, neutral, or stressed. Your intelligence rises, your creativity rises, [and] your energy levels rise”.
Achor has deeply explored the topic, and has uncovered that happy people:
Are 31% more productive (this one’s my favourite)
Have 37% better sales figures
Have better, more secure jobs
Are better at keeping their jobs
Are more resilient
Have less burnout
And more. Happy doctors are even “19% faster, [and] more accurate at coming up right the right diagnosis at positive instead of negative, neutral, or stressed”.
According to Achor, “if we can find a way of become positive in the present, then our brains work even more successfully as we’re able to work harder, faster, and more intelligently.” Luckily, there are a number of scientifically-proven ways that you can rewire your brain to become happier. Achor suggests five of them you should do every day:
According to Achor, these activities done “in just a two-minute span of time, [for] 21 days in a row, [can] actually rewire your brain, allowing your brain to actually rework more optimistically and more successfully. Happiness “turns on all of the learning centers in your brain, allowing you to adapt to the world in a different way”.
Even though two minutes appears to be enough to rewire how you think, I personally think that’s the least you can do, particularly when happier, positive people are 31% more productive.
Source
According to psychologist (and happiness researcher) Shawn Achor, when your brain is happy, it “performs significantly better than it does at negative, neutral, or stressed. Your intelligence rises, your creativity rises, [and] your energy levels rise”.
Achor has deeply explored the topic, and has uncovered that happy people:
Are 31% more productive (this one’s my favourite)
Have 37% better sales figures
Have better, more secure jobs
Are better at keeping their jobs
Are more resilient
Have less burnout
And more. Happy doctors are even “19% faster, [and] more accurate at coming up right the right diagnosis at positive instead of negative, neutral, or stressed”.
According to Achor, “if we can find a way of become positive in the present, then our brains work even more successfully as we’re able to work harder, faster, and more intelligently.” Luckily, there are a number of scientifically-proven ways that you can rewire your brain to become happier. Achor suggests five of them you should do every day:
- Recall three things you’re grateful for. In Achor’s studies, after doing this for 21 days, people’s brains begin to “retain a pattern of scanning the world not for the negative, but for the positive first”, making them much happier.
- Journal one great experience you had. “Journalling about one positive experience you've had over the past 24 hours allows your brain to relive it.”
- Exercise. “Exercise teaches your brain that your behaviour matters”, and it helps you solidify the connection between your actions and their rewards. Exercise is also a great way to focus better.
- Meditate. Achor: “We find that meditation allows your brain to get over the cultural ADHD that we've been creating by trying to do multiple tasks at once. It allows our brains to focus on the task at hand.”
- Perform a random act of kindness. It doesn't matter if your act of kindness is buying a coffee for the person after you in line, volunteering, or sending a positive email. Achor gets “people, when they open up their inbox, to write one positive email, praising or thanking someone in their social support network.”
According to Achor, these activities done “in just a two-minute span of time, [for] 21 days in a row, [can] actually rewire your brain, allowing your brain to actually rework more optimistically and more successfully. Happiness “turns on all of the learning centers in your brain, allowing you to adapt to the world in a different way”.
Even though two minutes appears to be enough to rewire how you think, I personally think that’s the least you can do, particularly when happier, positive people are 31% more productive.
Source
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