1. Did I do what I said I would do?
Recently my friend told me about the greatest compliment he had ever received.
On
a call with his client, the person on the other end of the line
struggled to find the words to describe Kyle’s performance. They
couldn’t exactly put their finger on what he had done.
After a moment, they finally spit this out:
“It’s weird… you said what you were going to do. And then you just did it.”
I
have started to believe integrity is the first, last, and only marker
of success. Who cares whether or not you proclaimed a new years
resolution? So long as you follow through on that decision. Who cares whether or not you started a business? So long as you made the choice.
Take
your time to decide on your goals, but by the time the words come out
of your mouth, by God you better be able to see them to fruition.
No matter the cost.
2. Have I been further than I’ve ever been?
Right now, my 59-year-old father is teaching himself how to build an app.
The
program, designed for a very specific job role in a very specific
field, is a product of his own creation. It does not exist anywhere else
in the world. It will solve a problem for many.
(I’m telling you that part because I am sick of hearing people say things like “there are no more good ideas!”)
But
what might happen if things don’t take off the way he thinks they
should? If he read the market wrong or doesn’t figure out how to sell it
or simply gets bored?
I asked. He said this:
“Well. I’ll have learned how to build an app.”
Nothing in life is wasted, so long as you extract the lessons. I love what Dave Ramsey says about growth:
“[Consistent growth] is the only difference between having 20 years of experience and having 1 year of experience 20 times.”
3. Is this becoming a pattern?
One bad trend popping up in this decade is a market I like to call “The Escape Industry.”
Culprits and key agitators of The Escape Industry include the dream mongers, those who urge others not to run to something, but from something.
- Culture of your company a little off? Quit the job!
- Significant other says you aren’t committed? Quit the relationship!
- Facebook page not going viral after 2 weeks? Quit the effort!
I
hate to say it, but my generation specifically is terrible about this.
We want what we want NOW, and if we can’t get it, we will go elsewhere.
This applies to stores, jobs, relationships, or our Netflix account.
It makes me sad.
At times, there are
very good reasons to quit.
But other times, serial surrender is a symptom of those who lack the
courage or will to implement change where they are. They will bounce
from job to job, idea to idea, person to person, never achieving the
depth life has to offer in any arena.
I hope that isn’t you.
4. Am I going to be able to quit without regret?
If you can’t go without looking back, don’t quit.
There are obviously still issues to be resolved.
5. Have I executed this position to fulfillment?
Don’t tell anyone, but Dwayne Johnson is one of my favorite people.
Regardless
of how you feel toward the work he does, how many other people do you
know who have completely switched industries and were still able to make
as deep an impact?
Excellence
begets excellence. The Rock was not able to undergo such a radical
shift in activity because he is lucky or blessed, but because he
executed his wrestling career to fulfillment. He became the absolute
best he could be before making the change. He went as far as he could
go.
Then, with the leverage already provided from his commitment to the WWE, he leapt into a whole new world.
6. Have I asked the opinion of other people who matter in my life?
Whenever I’m struggling with a decision, I like to remember these words:
“Plans fail with no counsel, but with many counselors they succeed.”
My
wife is a genius. Every time I make a dumb decision, it’s because I
didn’t ask her thoughts. Sometimes, she affirms what I was already
thinking. Other times, she tells me I am being an idiot. All times, I
only have half the information for making my choice when I refuse to
include her.
The solution for gaining the right answer on any decision typically looks something like this:
Time + Advice + Advice + Advice + Your Own Intent = Clarity
Notice
that “emotion” does not appear anywhere in this equation. Emotion is
fickle and fluid and all to often influenced by your level of hunger.
Gathering advice, on the other hand neutralizes any misguided whim you
might be feeling due to a lack of Larabars.
Do your diligence. Get the information you need.
Then, if you must, take the leap.
Much love,
— Todd B
