You can distill an entire shelf of self-help books down to this simple question at the top of the post: “When will you choose to be successful?” Based on my calculation, I just saved you somewhere between $400 and $800 dollars or more at retail on self-help books. Make checks payable to…
It never ceases to amaze me how many excuses people have for not succeeding at something they view as important to them personally or professionally. While behavioral psychologists might label this as an issue of “external versus internal locus of control,” as I listen to the excuses flowing for not getting the job, not losing weight, not saving money, not making it to class, not writing a book, not keeping up with blogging, what I’m really thinking is (in very loud terms inside my mind), “YOU HAVE NOT MADE UP YOUR MIND TO SUCCEED!”
Just a Few Examples:
- Let’s take diets. First of all, we’re all on them. Eating is required for life. The type of diet that bedevils most people is the one that involves doing this less often. To my own knowledge, there are very few incidents reported every year that involve someone force feeding someone else donuts and super-sized gargantuan fast food meals. Given the lack of external coercion, we are left to conclude that free-thinking people with free will are jamming the extra calories down their gullets and then lamenting the struggles of dieting. My suggestion is duct tape over the mouth. For multiple reasons.
- Want to write a blog or a book? It’s darned hard to do without understanding the secret behind S.A.I.C. That stands for “Sitting Ass in Chair.” Quit talking, sit down and start typing.
- Interested in reinventing yourself? This is a common topic during these unpleasant economic times, and a few courageous souls are active in pursuit of this challenging activity. However, more than a few know that they need to do something, but suffer from too much S.A.I.C., and need to apply G.A.O.O.C.a.G.G. That stands for “Get Ass Out of Chair and Get Going.”
- Still smoking? Yeah, big tobacco got you. It’s a plot. It may well be, but why are you committing slow suicide along with your donut eating, super-sizing, friends. Same issue. No one is holding the gun to your head saying “smoke me.” I get the nicotine thing…but find some help and get on with it.
- Would life at work be great if only the boss would hurry up and eat/smoke/reinvent himself out of your life? Get over your boss and focus on yourself and your performance. Some of the best performers and most successful people you’ll meet got that way by using the motivation of a lousy leader to help them push forward.
- Sales down this quarter? The last time that I looked, there’s still a lot of money flowing through the global economy. Someone somewhere is selling something. Why not you? Maybe it’s time to reinvent your approach to getting clients to know, like, trust, try, buy and refer you. (Thanks, John Jantsch…those are part of his Marketing Hourglass terms!). Shameless plug…call me on this one, I can help!
The Bottom-Line for Now:
Just so that you know that I’m an equally opportunity pain in the ass, I’ve got a few challenges on my plate that I’ve occasionally found myself looking around for good excuses to attach to my lack of progress. However, I know better and the excuses only make me realize that my biggest failure on the issues at hand is that, “I’ve not yet decided to be successful.” OK, I’ve decided. Now back to work. Right after I take a lunch-time workout to make some progress on another goal.
It’s your turn. Have you decided?
This should be posted every 01-02January!
Outstanding….a bit unnerving….but outstanding!
Thanks for another great piece.
Thanks, Dan! Sorry about the unnerving part. Sometimes a little shock value is good for the motivation though… . Thanks for reading and commenting!
Great post as usual Art! I love the title along with point # 2. I believe that people who have not been successful yet is because they have not been committed to reinvent themselves. Therefore, we certainly need to get started if we want to be successful in our career, grasp that sense of prefessionalism, and commit to it, that is going to send a signal to our bosses what we are made of. Thank you very much Mr. Petty for sharing your thoughts with us, and I will look forward to reading many more of your great articles!
Javier, thank you for reading and commenting! Commitment is a powerful force. -Art
So correct, Art. Success, and more importantly happiness, is a choice. Choices are learned, and the learning rarely comes with out failure, doubt, and fear. Great stuff! Bret
Thanks, Bret! I think it was Lincoln that said something to the effect of, “People are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” How true. -Art
Art, You hit this one right on the head. I agree with the comment above that it is somewhat unnerving. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges a person can face is looking at our own faults. We always want to blame someone else for our lack of success. A lot of people my age (over 50), are now challenged with having to reinvent themselves. I think we tend to try to return to what we know in order to create new avenues; even if what we know doesn’t work anymore. In this case it is time to explore and find out what you do know that does work. Any way that is where I am at. Thanks for great piece. I recently read a book called Zen and the Art of Making a Living, by Laurence Boldt. Huge Book but worth reading for anyone thinking of making a career change.
Bob, thanks as always for your thoughtful comments and observations. I think that many involved in the process of reinvention will relate to your words. Thanks as well fort he book suggestion. I will definitely check it out. Best, Art
We have created a nation of excuses. This is part of the reason why I left education. Everyone wants to make excuses and schools are a perfect example. Students perpetuate the actions of there parents. At some point in time society needs to stop pointing the finger and look at themselves. Everywere you look people are complaining about how they don’t have this or that. How other people are holding them back. At the end of the day look at yourself.
My father always says talking is the easy part. Now you have to get off your a.. and do something about it. The media, television, and politicians have helped continue this negative cycle along with many others. There is nobody to blame, but yourself.
Great article Art, it’s raw and straight to the point! Something all of us can use sooner or later. Sitting around and just waiting for something to fall into your lap or complaining is not going to get you anywhere. I think learning from your past and using this to reinvent yourself is important. It can be difficult at first, it’s like pushing a giant ball, as soon as the momentum kicks in the results seem to come much easier.