1) Define your future. Describe the life you’d like to live. The
future you see defines the person you’ll need to be. Identify the
traits and qualities you’d like to acquire. Think bigger than yourself.
An acorn that only thinks as an acorn will never become a mighty oak.
Stretch yourself. You are undoubtedly capable of more than you ever dreamed
is possible for you.
2) Become the person
who would achieve your goals. As you develop the skills, knowledge,
relationships and demeanor of the “future you,” your goals
will be the natural by-product of your growth. Spend an extra hour each
day in the study of your chosen field.
3) Give more than
you must. Nothing advances until somebody does more than they are paid
to do. Always deliver more value than others expect. Don’t require
others to acknowledge your generosity. Give with “class.”
4) Make time for
what you love. If you don’t live fully, you deny the world your
potential contributions. Your “play” sometimes contributes
as much as your “work.” What you love reveals the value you
bring to the world.
5) Refine your Inner
Circle. We define ourselves through our key relationships. Explore the
mix and depth of those with whom you spend most of your time. Release
those who limit you and connect with those who can help you live more
fully.
6) Resolve your
unfinished business. Either deal with it or discard it. Say your apologies,
face your fears, pay your debts, express your gratitude and get on with
living. Don’t let yesterday drain value from today and tomorrow.
Break out of the limited world of your past and start to grow.
7) Rethink exiting
habits and routines. Describe your typical day and then reconsider every
aspect of it. Change or expand the places you go, people you see, things
you do, and the time you devote to each. Try new things. Learn a new
language, go someplace different, do some things you’d typically
pass by. Find out what your possibilities really are.
8) Lighten up. Stop
stressing over things that only matter to you emotionally. When life
isn’t fair to you, get over it quickly. Take your misfortunes as
“course corrections” rather than “catastrophes.”
Let go so you can grow.
9) Tighten up. Sloppiness
in life allows more variables to creep in and spoil your plans. Stay
on target, increase your self-discipline, master the art of self-motivation.
Sometimes details matter a lot.
10) Profile yourself.
Keep a journal of your goals, concerns, fears, and dreams. Review it
at lease once a year. Look for patterns that reveal your core values,
natural velocity, natural intelligences and recurring situations. Realize
how life ebbs and flows for you. Notice the natural cycles of life.
Know yourself.
11) Invest in yourself.
Set aside a portion of each year’s income to acquire a new tools
and teachers to increase your potential. Refine your systems, get expert
coaching, attend special conferences, cultivate a study group, appoint
a board of advisors. You are your only true asset. Send part of today
ahead to the person you’ll be in the future.