Read This If You Think You're A Rebel
Someone said something to me yesterday.
He was talking about his attitude and how it matured as he got older.
He mentioned that early in his journey he felt like a rebel. He was out there making things, sometimes without guidance, sometimes without intention, and certainly without permission.
A rebel is someone who opposes things. They may not have a reason other than some general discontent with authority.
But then, this person mentioned that something happened to his mindset as he began to experience the results of his effort as he moved through life.
He developed intentions, purpose, and importantly, a plan.
He said, "instead of being just a rebel, I became a renegade."
A renegade is someone who changes beliefs based on new information, often endures social ex-communication or stigma, and commits to a new belief or way of being.
Part of this commitment is taking calculated action on those beliefs.
How will you turn your work, attitude, or mindset into action?
Are you a rebel or a renegade?
2 Minute Action
Here are some ways you can turn an idea or intention into an actionable plan:
- If you're having trouble turning an idea into action, take 2 minutes to "phone a friend" and ask them to hold you accountable to a small goal. Let them text you to remind you, or you can offer to do them a favor if you bail on your goal. (I had a friend who wrote a $1000 check to a trusted friend and said he could cash it if he failed to take action.)
- Set a block on your calendar that is reserved for just one part of your project and invite a friend to join you.
🤔 5 Ways You're Getting Sidetracked Without Knowing It
Tips.Tricks.Hacks.Apps.Tools.All of this is noise and it doesn't matter.
Do you know what matters?
Focus.Commitment.Accountability.Discipline.Mission.
No more apps. No more hacks. No more tips and tricks.
No more anything until you master those last 5 lines above.It was just Valentine's Day, right?A day where we praise commitment with gratitude. How about your commitment to yourself? It will be much harder to commit to anyone else if you can't master this inside yourself first.
2 Minute Action
In 2 minutes, you could meditate and practice focus.In 2 minutes, you could practice your commitment to yourself (drawing, playing an instrument, writing, etc.)In 2 minutes, you could tell a friend about your workout plan so they won't let you off the hook.In 2 minutes, you could do just one thing you dislike doing.In 2 minutes, you could write out your personal mission statement.I just came up with these on-the-fly. You can steal one of these actions or come up with your own.Either way, it's critical that you start, even if you start small.
How Being Unsexy Helps
The thing about this post is that it’s just one post.It’s a small piece of a whole commitment to posting everyday.It won’t save the world.It won’t make you (or me) rich.It won’t change anyone’s life.Well, probably not.What’s more likely is that by chipping away slowly, over time, a more clear and overarching message becomes visible.
Big monumental paradigm shifts are sexy.
You know what’s not sexy?Waking up before everyone else so you can read up on your field.
Industry disruptions and rocket-ship startups are sexy.
You know what’s not sexy?Firing a close co-worker who turned out to be the wrong fit in your quickly changing company.
Lots of funding and office massage chairs are sexy.
You know what’s not sexy?Investing 20% of your income every time you get paid.
Don’t be sexy.
Be good.Be good and just a little bit more good every day.Make the commitment to small, daily actions and the momentum will catch up with you laterFor a long time, exponential growth just looks like linear growth on the same chart.Then, suddenly, it’s not even close
2 Minute Action
What’s something unsexy you have to do today?Do it first.Make that a habit and the rest will come.