Amazing 2009: 1

The back story is here: my forecast for the challenges ahead and a high-level view of how we might tackle them. This post begins to tackle the detail:

...you will be tougher...

In my workshops I am fortunate to meet people from all backgrounds. It's always a pleasure to meet someone who is ex-services, especially  such as ex-Marines, ex-Navy Seals. These guys have awesome potential; not just because they can fell you with one small movement but they have something which is the basic of the new kind of toughness we will need in our personal and commercial lives. No, not martial arts training, nor the ability to sit in ice-cold water for hours. It's a remarkably powerful attribute: self-discipline. And I know they are amazed when they see how lacking it is in many of the the other work-shop participants:  the ability to return from a break on time. To listen clearly. To execute a task. Even to remember the work-shop notes from day 1 to day 2.

The starting breakthrough aspect for success in a tough 2009 is to be even tougher yourself and that starts  with this simple but remarkable aspect. How's it developed? Repetition. Take something you want to improve e.g.

• your getting-up time
• an eating habit
• starting your writing
• improving saving

But just take one. Make sure what you want is very clear e.g. be out of bed writing by 0630. And focus and work on it until it's 'wired in'. It'll take a week or two. Once achieved, you'll feel great. Success builds success. Then tackle something else. After a few of these quick wins, you'll notice you have acquired a remarkable and unstoppable attribute: self-discipline. Priceless. Work at it. Start now.