✦ Work on your plan either in the open, if desired/required, or in private, if possible. We talked about this already. Either people know about your plan/vision, and/or you want them to. Otherwise, in the beginning, everything’s on lock down. No one is to know until you deem it to be the right time to bring them in on what you’re up to. Better to hear words like, “I never know you were working on _____.” versus, “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? I don’t think you can make it.” You pick which words you’d rather hear.

✦ For progress’ sake, it will be important that something gives during this initial launch/quest to reach your goal, specifically, in the beginning to get yourself going. Sometimes, sacrifices need to be made to ensure that your goal can be accomplished in a reasonable period of time. That time will vary depending on circumstances. Such as, cease or limit pleasurable activities or outings. If you have a family that’s a little different. The idea here is to work as many hours, and as fast as you can on the plan to reach your ultimate goal sooner, rather than later.

For example, watching almost any TV is a big time-waster. Turn it off, and get to work. Think of it like this, would you rather spend your days basking in the glory of your attained goal? Or, would you rather relax 20-30 hours a week watching TV or doing whatever (unrelated) to your ultimate goal? That is, 20 hours a week of wasted time is 80 hours a month you could work on your goal. Better to spend that time advancing than baby-stepping your way towards your goal only working on it a few hours a week.

✦ Need some quiet time to work? Do you belong to a timeshare program? Got a few extra thousand points to use for just this occasion? Take a week or two and go somewhere exclusive and write for that book, for example. That is if what you’re working on requires some alone time. Other projects may not require such an environment. I’ve enjoyed getting away a few weeks a year like this, and the cost is next to nothing.

✦ This doesn’t work for everyone, but I find working at night (when everyone else is sleeping), I can work without interruptions or distractions and get tons done. If you can put in 4-8 hours of work while everyone’s sleeping, that’s almost equal to working 2 days during awake hours for the rest of the world. Pick the hours that work best for you because that’s when you will get the most amount of work accomplished and, after all, it’s your goal. Work whatever YOUR best time is ... mornings, evenings, or into the night.

✦ Sleep? The total amount of sleep anyone should get in a 24 hour period varies because we’re all wired differently. Speaking from my own experience, I burn the midnight oil and do whatever it takes to reach my goals, but certainly not at the expense of my health. Research tells us that lack of sleep can adversely impact our metabolism and immune systems, so I won’t argue with science. I will say, again, that to succeed, sometimes you need to bust tail and push the envelope by burning that midnight oil to get the job done. You can always catch up on sleep later, right? Or, my favorite line goes like, “I’ll get all the sleep I need when I’m dead.” Another favorite expression, spoken to me from a world famous rock star I met, who said, “We’ll get all the dirt nappin’ we need later (when we’re dead). Right now, let’s rock and roll all night, and party every day.”

✦ To the degree you sacrifice and burn the midnight oil, so to speak, will you reap the benefits and advance past your competitors.

✦ Work when YOU are most productive. For some it’s the morning, for some it’s at night. Get away from people if that what it takes.

✦ Why do some people triumph when others don’t? A coach told me one time that a person has to have an emotional driver to motivate, inspire and push oneself to succeed. Believing that you can win a race, for example, is not the same as wanting victory. You must feel passionate and emotionally charged to be a winner.

✦ Do things that others are unwilling to do. With that set of values, a person is generally more accepting to eagerly take risks, go out on a limb, be a trend-setter, a role model, a maverick, an entrepreneur. For them, it’s all about how they play the game and not about winning or losing. Their inner being is directing their ambition and he/she can’t hear the cynic, the killjoy, the doomsayer.

✦ Outwork your competition and outwit them. Be willing to accept change from your learnings. Seek opportunities to work with people who are smarter than you are. Challenge yourself. Diversify. Ask potential clients, family and friends about problems they need solving. Ask what annoys them most about other companies if you’re starting a business or selling a product. Rarely is doing less than the other guy going to get you ahead, but learning about people, what makes them tick, and understanding some of the issues that drive them can give you a competitive edge. If you don’t have anyone to compete against, then it’s only you who you have to compete against. Still, give it your all. Set goals for yourself, attain them, then set new ones. Constantly be moving the bar higher and higher.

✦ Do you strive to have maximum benefits with the minimum of effort? Well, sorry, that won’t cut it where you’re going. Besides, that’s a fantasy. Nothing worthwhile came without hard work. So, get over it, roll your sleeves up, dig in, and get ready to work!

✦ While some have a difficult time saying “no,” sometimes it’s the right answer to give. The trick is know when and actually SAY IT! Productive people work on staying healthy and fit, not only to avoid physical setbacks, but to enable themselves to be even more productive when the need arises. Above all, I try to make every day count so that my life is continuously fulfilling and progressing forward.

✦ We often confuse being productive with doing many things at one time. That works well for the juggler who has to keep all the balls in the air. Being productive is about being steady and consistent and getting your priorities accomplished. Prioritizing can ensure that you get the important things out of the way first clearing your schedule for items that are less important. The important tasks are the ones that move our dreams, our creations, and our businesses and personal life forward. Then at some point, you need to do a self-check so you know if you are still on track for fulfilling your dream. You need to periodically stop and reflect on your accomplishments. Celebrate your successes along the way and make sure that you are always driving towards that ultimate vision for your life.

✦ We only have so much TIME to work on our stuff, let alone live life. Don’t waste it on trivial matters or dealing with people that waste yours. Don’t waste it watching mindless television or doing too much of something you could otherwise get someone else to do for you while you get your work done. Limit time on the phone or on social media or reading eMail. GET YOUR SH** DONE!

[EXERCISE 4.1] MAKE A LIST OF THOSE THINGS (DISTRACTIONS) YOU WILL NOW CUT OUT OF YOUR LIFE (FOR NOW) SO YOU CAN SPEND MORE TIME WORKING YOUR PLAN TOWARDS YOUR GOAL!✦