“Many times experts fail because they’re experts in the past version of the world.”
― Vinod Khosla

It doesn’t matter how you got here. Your next decision requires an understanding of the present and a vision of the future. The past is irrelevant to the next decision.

If you’re constantly looking over your shoulder, you can’t see where you’re going.

“Just Do It.”
― Nike slogan

Sometimes, you just need to go for it. But how do you start? How do get that first bit of momentum? How do you take that first step?

Well, like so many things, it’s simple, not easy.

You start.

That’s it. It’s not complicated, and it’s not going to magically make all the challenges disappear. But it’s a start. It’s momentum. It’s that first step.

Then, you adjust and keep going. And repeat the process again. And again. Before you know it, you’ll actually be getting somewhere. As you go, don’t stop, but keep your eyes open and adjust on the fly.

That’s how you go for it.

“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.”
― Robert Louis Stevenson

Don’t seek fame. Seek success.

Don’t seek comfort. Seek growth.

Don’t seek quantity. Seek quality.

Don’t seek money. Seek strength.

Don’t seek perfection. Seek progress.

Don’t seek to fit in. Seek to stand out.

Don’t seek revenge. Seek forgiveness.

Don’t seek to impress. Seek to inspire.

Don’t seek approval. Seek authenticity.

Don’t seek applause. Seek accomplishment.

Don’t seek to be seen. Seek to make a difference.

Don’t seek followers. Seek meaningful relationships.

“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
― Abraham Lincoln

Is your current path a path to mediocrity? To average? To normal?

We’re all on a path. It could lead to fame or infamy, riches or poverty, success or failure. But it could also lead to nothing, to nowhere.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I rising above my peers?

• Do I elevate the people around me?

• Am I leaving a legacy for future generations?

• Do my actions inspire others to achieve greatness?

• Am I worthy to follow in the footsteps of the greats of the past?

• What do I need to change so I can answer yes to the questions above?

Everyone has areas of strength and areas of weakness, but hall of famers don’t accept losing. They fight through their weaknesses and maximize their strengths. They don’t settle for average. They treat normal like a disease.

Don’t settle for less than your potential. Be great.

Be great for yourself. Be great for your family and friends. Be great for the world.

“If you torture the data long enough, it will confess to anything.”
― Ronald Coase

Stop wasting time tracking metrics that don’t help you achieve success.

Every extraneous metric you analyze is a waste of precious time and energy. Not only could your time be better spent, but every additional metric leads to some amount of analysis paralysis. Before you know it, all your motivation is gone.

Don’t let the details drag you down. Identify what’s important and keep your eyes focused on those goals.

Remember, what gets measured gets managed. So measure what truly matters and watch your success sky-rocket.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
― Robert J. Collier

I think it’s helpful to see immediate success in everyday progress.

Woke up early. Success.

Did 100 pushups. That’s success.

Didn’t eat that donut. That’s success.

Finished your top three tasks before 10 AM. More success.

Read a book instead of watching TV. Success.

Played catch with your son. Success.

Every moment matters. Train your brain to identify the daily wins that lead to a successful life.

“Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.”
― Brian Tracy

You want to be fit, but you don’t exercise.

You want to be smart, but you don’t study.

You want to be wealthy, but you don’t invest.

You want to be holy, but you don’t pray.

This is why you’re not happy. It’s why you feel so lousy all the time. It’s why you feel like a loser.

You need to align your actions with the person you want to become. Get on the path. Start making progress.

“Actions speak louder than meetings.”
― Lee Clow

Level 0: No meetings

Level 1: Interruptions instead of meetings

Level 2: Ad-hoc meetings

Level 3: Scheduled meetings

Level 3: Daily standups

Level 4: Project planning meetings

Level 5: After-action reviews

Level 6: Strategic planning meetings

⁝

Level ∞: Asynchronous communication

“We Have The Tools! We Have The Talent!”
― Winston Zeddemore, Ghostbusters

This would be easier if my computer was faster.

I can’t find the right people.

I need a better microphone.

I’m just not good at this.

I wasn’t trained.

I don’t know what to do.

Excuses.

You have everything you need. You have the ability to do whatever it takes. You can develop the skills. You can learn anything.

But that’s not what’s holding you back.

You’re missing the final ingredient: action.

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
― Confucius

One day, my enemy may win… But not today.

One day, I may fail my family… But not today.

One day, my body may break… But not today.

One day, my mind might falter… But not today.

One day, I might lose control… But not today.

One day, I might lose faith… But not today.

One day, I might give up… But not today.

One day, I may lose hope… But not today.

Today… I am resilient.

Today… I am unbroken.

Today… I am undefeated.