The Reason We're Not All Billionaires With 6-Pack Abs
It's hard to be useful every day.It's hard to do something impactful every day.Sometimes it's just hard to do anything, at all.
And of course, we all know that if it were easy, we'd all be billionaires with 6-pack abs.
Still, that doesn't always motivate us to start or to keep going.
The easiest way to change our inertia or to keep our pace is to make the task smaller.
Fine, don't run 5 miles at a 7 min/mile pace. Run 2 miles at a 10 min/mile pace.Fine, don't make 150 phone calls. Make 65.Fine, don't write letters to all your students. Just do 30%, today.
There are at least two strange and productive things that happen when we break things into small chunks.
- We maintain momentum and we're more likely to pick up where we left off later.
- We are more likely to do more than we set out to.
One of the lessons I've learned over and over is to stop getting in my own way.This is such a great example.I get big eyes! I bite off more than I can chew. I dream so big and I want to make so many great things happen, that I run the risk of getting nothing done because I spread myself too thin.It's not uncommon.
2 Minute Action
Here are some options for today:
- If you also have "big eyes," take at least 1 thing off your to-do list, today.
- If you have a huge task, break it into smaller pieces.
- No matter what, do 2 minutes of exercise. Planks, pushups, burpees. You have 2 minutes and you won't get sweaty.
If taking on too much sounds like you, reply here and let me know.We have to look out for each other.Let's make a ruckus, today.
Don't Be This Person
They bought the headband.They bought the Bowflex.They bought the water bottle.They bought the yoga mat and the kettlebells, and the resistance bands.But somehow, despite all this hot new gear . . .They're out of shape, they never show up, or they just plain suck at tennis.Whether it's on the field, in the office, or in your personal life--don't be this person.Before you "buy-in," make sure you're spending your attention and dollars on the thing that's going to actually make the difference: the work.If you can do the work, then you've earned the dry-fit shirt.Don't think for 2 seconds that the gear will motivate you to do the work.Motivation comes from your end and it's your responsibility.
2 Minute Action
It would take you 2 minutes to run in place, do a few pushups, or even just stretch your legs.The day is yours.The timer is running.
Whatever You're Doing Right Now, You're Paying For It With Your Life
No one knows how much time they have left, but most people want to do something important.Where's the urgency?I have an estimated count of how much time I've got left. I call it my "Death Bed Timer."It's a little scary, and that's the point.I look at this quickly shrinking number on a regular basis for 2 reasons:
- To desensitize myself to my fear of dying.
- To motivate myself with the urgency of impermanence.
Whatever you're doing right now, you are spending your life on it.Maybe it's just temporary right now, but maybe it's a habit.Whatever it is, you will NOT get that time back.Think like this and live a life of purpose.We all need your help out here.Let's do this.
2 Minute Action
What's your most important task today?Work on it right now for 2 minutes. Set a timer. No excuses.If you can read this for 2 minutes, you can spend the next two minutes on this.Everyone has 2 minutes.Start now.