Successful people are successful because they form the habits of doing those things that failures don’t like to do. Albert Gray
It’s happening again. I’m reminding my 14 year old son that it really is important to do those things you don’t want to do but will pay off later. He, of course, wants only to get on the computer to chat with his friends. His father and I (i.e. the crazy parents) think that getting his Eagle Scout and making good grades will serve him better than computer conversations that consist of “Hey” and “How do you like this teacher” and “My lame parents are making me go to this dumb thing again.”
Maybe the reason that my son Parker’s actions bother me so much is that I see myself in them. I don’t always choose the successful habits I should. There are some successful habits I need to do more regularly and some habits that I need to quit immediately.
One of the CEOs who runs a successful publishing company told me of a habit he has. Every morning before he takes a phone call or checks email, he takes 30 minutes to do the same ritual. He breathes deeply several times, reads an inspirational passage, prays and then really looks at his calendar to see if what he is doing is important. He said that if he doesn’t do this sequence, the day feels off and he never hits his stride. He claims this habit of slowing down and contemplating before attacking the day at full speed has made all the difference.
Successful people do have habits that others don’t like doing. They are disciplined and focused. They say “no” to time wasters and activities that get them nowhere.
Successful people do the most important things first. They aren’t interrupted by the unimportant. They focus. They take care of themselves so that they can perform and maintain a high level.
Think of the most successful person you know. What habits does he or she have that most people would not like to do? What habit could you do consistently this week that would make you more successful?
I’m dressed in my exercise clothes right now…about to go back to that successful habit.
Journey On!
Linda
Thanks for that excellent word Linda