3 Key Factors To Success In Any Endeavor

“How did they do that?” we ask ourselves as we watch the Olympian
finish the race, the teenager sell a multi-million dollar
business, or the juggler throw sharp knives into the air, while
balancing himself on a unicycle.


 


How does anyone do anything of significance? (Significance
defined: important to you.)


 


“Misti,” my accountant said, “I’ve been trying to train for a 5K
for years, but I can’t seem to stay with the training. Any
suggestions?”


 


Whether you decide to get an MBA, change industries, develop
meaningful relationships, or run a 5K, there are 3 key factors to
keep in mind. Here they are:


 


Decide

Act

The first 30 minutes



 


There’s a distinct difference between saying, “I want to run a
5K,” and deciding to run a 5K. The first lacks an unwavering
commitment, while the later forces us into action. Put your word
to it—decide. Make the decision, and consider it done.


 


Without decision, you will not take action on the various
stepping-stones thrown into your path to help you reach success.
Interestingly, these stepping-stones don’t always look like
they’re supposed to help you.


 


I certainly did not ask for 5 foot swells on the morning of my
5-mile swim around Gibson Island, after raising $5K. But, I did
finish the swim, after only learning to swim 1 year before. Turns
out, there were many more lessons to be learned in the pursuit of
that goal. They weren’t fun, or easy, but so, so valuable.


 


Decide, and than act. Don’t think. Don’t even question. Just Act,
and then get past the first 30 minutes.  


 


The barrage of negative self-talk will hit you like a ton of
bricks in those first 30 minutes, and you’ll want to give up—to
quit. You’ll reason with yourself—


 


“I could die, or at the very least die of embarrassment.”


“What’s the point anyway?”


“Hey, at least you tried. Good enough, now you can quit.”


 


After thirty minutes—almost like magic—it quiets, and you find
yourself well on your way to reaching success. I promise you it
will quiet, but you’ve got to get through the first thirty
minutes. You have to hunker down, stay focused, and ignore every
word you’re telling yourself.


 


Notice the thoughts, sure. But don’t give them authority.


 


When you take these three steps, you will get so much more than
your certificate of completion, gold metal, or new job title. The
wisdom and depth of friendships that come as a result of your
decision, relentless action, and staying power (first 30 minutes)
are more valuable than… the Bentley I saw in the parking lot
yesterday.


 


That car was fancy, and super cool looking. And I don’t even care
about cars.


 


You get the point, right? Decide, act, and then stay, even when
every part of you is telling you to quit. Even when quitting
makes sense. Finish!


 


Nothing kills self-confidence more than quitting. Quit once, and
you’ll unknowingly give yourself permission to keep quitting. A
lifetime of quitting… well, just look around you at the people
who have spent their lifetime quitting.


 


Decide, act, stay, and then finish.


 


Here’s to Your Greatness,


 


Misti Burmeister


 


NEW! You can now gain easy access to discovering
your blind spots and the solutions to your greatest leadership
challenges through a Gearing for Greatness session. Check it out:
http://mistiburmeister.com/gearing-for-greatness/


 


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