Jeff Goins's Blog, page 68

The Mr. Miyagi Guide to Practicing Your Craft

Years ago, I hired a young storyteller and knew she was going to need some direction. So as soon as she started, I told her, “I want you to ask permission anytime you do something on your own… In other words, you’re handcuffed to the team.”

Mr. Miyagi and Daniel-san from the Karate Kid.

At first, she didn’t understand this. But eventually, I explained the point of the exercise. She was incredibly talented and had always worked on her own, so I wanted to teach her the importance of working with a team.

Then she said, “Oh. So you’re going to Miyagi me?”

Exactly.

How “wax on, wax off” works in real life

Remember that scene from The Karate Kid in which Mr. Miyagi made Daniel wax his car? (What — you’ve never seen that movie?! Shame on you. Go watch it now. It’s a classic!)

The point of the exercise wasn’t to teach Daniel how to buff. It was to teach him the fundamentals of a craft he didn’t understand.

So Daniel spends weeks doing this repetitive, boring task, without really understanding why. Over and over again, he scrubs that car until it shines like nothing else — until finally he can’t take it anymore.

He didn’t sign up for this. He wanted to learn Karate. He wanted to be awesome. And this felt like a chore, a waste of time. But Miyagi shows him what he’s been doing has been preparation for all the moves he’s going to learn. In fact, he’s already learned them — without realizing it.

Daniel learns an important lesson here. And so do we when we commit ourselves to the work, not just the fruit.

There is no “awesome” and “mundane.” There is only the work that must be done. And you either love it or you don’t.

Want to learn guitar? Get a baby…

Our son was born four and a half weeks early. There were no medical complications (thank God), but he was pretty fussy when we brought him home from the hospital.

We quickly learned the best way to get him to nap was to play guitar and sing him a song.

For over a year, I neglected playing the guitar. I told myself it was because I was a writer, not a musician. But secretly, I missed it. I felt bad for not taking it as seriously as before.

I told myself I’d pick it back up… some day. Little did I know, a crying baby would be my impetus for doing so. Fast forward two years, and I’m back. My callouses have returned, and my voice is the strongest it’s ever been.

Was I trying to get better? Of course not; I was trying to make a baby go to sleep. Really, I was just going through the motions. Turns out, that’s all practice is.

What we learn from all this

There are three lessons we learn from this Miyagi-style teaching:

Sometimes, practice doesn’t feel like practice.
You’re practicing even when you don’t realize it.
All of life is practice — even the boring parts (in fact, especially the boring parts).

Whatever you’re doing, don’t believe the lie that says you’re doing nothing. No, you’re practicing something. It’s just a matter of how intentional you’re being.

So the question is…

What are you practicing right now? And is it a legacy you’d be proud of? Share in the comments.

Beware: This Is Just About the Worst Advice You Can Give a Writer

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Bryan Hutchinson, founder of the blog Positive Writer. He just released a new book about writing called, Writer’s Doubt . Also, be sure to check out the writing contest he’s hosting. 

“This too shall pass.” I’m sure you’ve heard this adage before. But what does it really mean?

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Maybe you’ve gone through a difficult situation and someone said it to make you feel better. Or perhaps you were feeling blocked or frustrated and said it to yourself to help you persevere. Some of us even have this posted on our computer screens as a reminder of the temporary status of a situation.

This too shall pass.

I’ve heard it a lot lately. It’s become a catchall phrase to soothe any worry or struggle a person might be experiencing.

And as comforting as it seems, this is not a harmless saying. In fact, if you’re a writer, it could prolong what you’re going through or, heaven forbid, make it worse.

Think about it: what does “this too shall pass” mean? Waiting. And guess what? As an artist, waiting is the last thing you should do.

What are you waiting for?

Are you holding out for inspiration? Motivation? Desire? Better days to come? Maybe a deadline to pass or that last-minute surge of energy to finish a project you’ve been putting off?

Here’s the truth: All those excuses are bogus. When you’re waiting, you’re not creating. You’re allowing valuable time to go by, which you can never get back. It’s gone… forever.

When I talk about waiting, I’m not referring to mindfulness and meditation, learning to embrace the in-between by taking a walk along the seashore on a beautiful sunshiny day. Those are helpful activities.

I’m talking about stalling.

The doubt we all face (and how to overcome it)

In times of waiting, we allow our minds to wander. And too often when we do this, we begin to imagine the worst: that we aren’t really artists. We’re just pretending, and maybe, we should give up.

After all, “this too shall pass” doesn’t seem to be passing with any haste. In fact, haven’t you noticed it’s getting worse?

That’s doubt talking.

If you wait long enough, hoping those self-defeating thoughts will evaporate, they won’t. And the longer you wait, the more rooted they become. It’s a trap many of us fall into.

Here’s what you need to do…

Stop waiting. Because it’s not helping. “This too shall pass?” Not likely. Not until you do something.

The good news is you can do something. You can write. It’s within you to create greatness. All you have to do is start. You have the talent, the ability, the imagination. If you start now by creating and focusing on your art, doubt will take a backseat to the power of doing something.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: You are magical.

Taking action will bring forth power within you that you didn’t know was there. You can worry whether you’re good enough, filling yourself with anxiety, or you can let go of fear and start doing something that will make a difference.

You are able. You are more than good enough. You have greatness in you, wanting to come out. Doubt is loudest and at its most insidious when you do nothing. So just start moving your fingers. Fear will retreat when you advance.

A practical plan is to start with 500 words a day. Just write what comes to mind, and when you reach your word limit with still have more to say, keep writing.

Then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. And so on.

The good, the bad, and the ugly (of writing)

Write when it feels good and when it’s hard and when the words come out all wrong. Write when you’re tired and angry and unsure of your ability.

As you do this, sooner or later, your message will come. What seems like gibberish today will become what you’ve always wanted to say but could never muster the courage to get out.

Try it. Keep writing until your message becomes clear and your voice emerges. Write your story with boldness, facing fear as it comes and doing it anyway. Because that’s your greatness. That’s your “magic,” the message within you that the world needs to hear.

You’re a writer, so write. That’s what we do. Even when you don’t know what to write about, just start. Your message will come. I promise.

All you have to do is stop waiting, let go of fear, and keep writing.

So what are you going to write about? How about starting in the comments? Or even better, how about joining the My 500 Words daily challenge?

The Wrong Reasons to Write

I used to get writing wrong, thinking it was about stringing together smart-sounding words to impress (or maybe confuse) the reader. I was wrong — but not for the reasons you might expect.

Image courtesy of Bill Watterson. Pin this.

I wasn’t writing to express or communicate. I was doing it for all the wrong reasons.

Yes. Believe it or not, there are noble reasons and not-so-noble reasons to write. And I would encourage you to make the former your motivation for pursuing the craft.

So how can you tell which is which?

The wrong reasons to write

First, let’s look at the wrong reasons people write:

You wan to be heard.
You want to be famous, to make a name for yourself.
You want to impress people with big words and sound smart.
You want to make a ton of money.

Why are those bad reasons to write?

Because sometimes, nobody will listen.

Because when you’re just getting started, you won’t have made a name for yourself. So what will sustain the work on those days when nobody shows up? It better not be the accolades and awards (you won’t have any of those yet).

Because you may never be considered an expert. So what will drive you then? If nobody approves, then why in the world will you face the blank page?

And because �— well, don’t get me started on the money. Suffice it to say that most professional writers have to get creative about how they make a buck.

The question, then, is worth asking: is it still worth your time to write? You bet.

The right reasons to write

Now, let’s tackle some better reasons to put pen to paper:

You have something important to say.
You want to make others feel understood, like they’re not alone.
You want to make a difference with your words.
You want to teach the world something it wouldn’t otherwise know./li>

But, you might be wondering, do you really need a reason to write? Yes, I think you do. Which brings me to my final point:

Because you can’t not do it — that’s the only reason to do anything, because you’re called to it.

Pardon the double negative, but this is what makes a writer: that compulsion, that drive to do what you can’t stop doing.

There’s a reason why many artists historically tend to be bipolar and often have a streak of crazy in them. That same thing that makes you obsess over an insignificant detail in life is what makes for a stroke of genius.

If you can’t quite explain it, this need to create, but just know that you have to do it, you feel compelled, then this just might be your calling.

And if you aren’t sure, that’s okay. Lots of people write for lots of different reasons. Maybe you happen to be one of the rare, sane ones. I just want to challenge you to think less in terms of what you get and more in terms of what you can give.

That’s what the work of an artist is about.

Three questions to consider

So as you tackle your work today, if you so endeavor to write, here are three questions to consider:

What if instead of making it about you, you focused on others?
What if you made the reader the hero, helping her feel understood in a way that she’s never felt before?

What if instead of focusing on the bottom line, you paid attention to impact?

Well, then… you just might be a writer, after all.

What are some more wrong reasons to write? Share in the comments.

What Really Happens When You Start Over

Nobody likes starting over — at least, I don’t know anyone who does.

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Sure, there are those rare, crazy ones who love the thrill of a new venture. But if you’ve spent any time building anything, you know that uneasy feeling in your stomach when you have to begin again. It’s hard.

This is why so many people stay in jobs they hate or keep going back to the same old, unhealthy addictions that leave them broken. It’s easier that way.

But there’s something beautiful about starting over, something liberating about beginning again. And I’d like to encourage you consider a fresh start in something this week.

Back to zero?

I just had a conversation with someone who is having to start something over. She’s worried that it means going back to zero. Not true.

When you start something new, you’re not really beginning completely fresh. Your past experiences, failures, and successes have all taught you something — more than you realize. And knowing what you know now means you aren’t starting over. You’re just beginning again.

That’s what I learned with this blog, which was the result of quitting another blog I had been writing on for four and a half years. I wasn’t quitting and going back to the drawing board. Instead, I was building on a foundation.

I had spent years writing online with few people paying attention. When I started over, I feared I might be wasting my time. But I was wrong.

All those years, I was practicing. Preparing. Waiting for my big moment. Maybe you are, too.

Do something new, now

When was the last time you did something for the first time? Do you remember what it felt like? It was probably a little fun, possibly even thrilling. I bet it required some hard work, too.

Maybe it’s time to do that again. To take a risk. To break a rule. To start.

If you don’t know where to begin, you should read Seth Godin’s book Poke the Box, which is seriously one of the best books I’ve read on the subject of starting things. And if you’re wanting to do this with a blog, read this post: Starting from Scratch.

Maybe you’re in a season in which you feel like what you’re doing is all for naught, that you’re doing all this work and nobody’s paying attention. But maybe that’s not the whole story.

Maybe you’re being prepared for a season that hasn’t come yet. If that’s the case, may I encourage you to do one thing?

Show up

Even when the fruit isn’t there… show up.

Even when the critics tell you to quit… show up.

Even when you’re tired and tempted to throw in the towel… show up.

If this is a time of preparation for you (and not a time to start), do the work. Show up. Because what you are doing is sowing — that’s planting seeds, for you non-farmer folk — and though you may not reap them for some time, the work you’re doing is not pointless.

Stay the course, be brave, and your season will come.

What’s the hardest part for you about starting over? Share in the comments.

005: The Secret Trick to Facing Fear [Podcast]

Most people think that in order to start something, you’ve got to be brave. You have to overcome fear. But that’s not true at all.

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If I know anything about making difference, about stepping up and taking risks, it’s this: you’ve got to learn to do it afraid.

In this episode of the podcast, we tackle some more questions from readers and listeners (submitted through my Facebook page).

Click to listen

To listen to the show, click the player below (if viewing this in email click here).

You can also download it at iTunes or on Stitcher.

The fear that holds us back

A reader named Gregory submitted this question:

How do you get started?

What a great question.

How do you start something, anything, that you’re putting off? How do you not stall and do work that matters? Our struggle comes down to fear.

We are all familiar with the hold that fear has on our lives. We know the power we sometimes give to the things that scare us. But we forget there are actually two fears that should concern us:

There’s the fear of doing something and failing. Maybe you’ll get rejected, maybe people will make fun of you. Maybe you’ll die.
There’s the fear of not trying, which is really about regret.

So the question is this: Are you more afraid to fail… or not try?

The first girl I ever asked out

The first girl I ever asked out was a cheerleader named Katie — and I almost didn’t do it.

Why? Because I was afraid.

In fact, the day I decided to do it, I had already given up. Fear had gotten the best of me, and I was on my way out the door.

And as I was getting ready to leave the school, get in my car, and drive away, something stopped me. I realized that I would regret not doing this more than any embarrassment it might cost me. I had to try.

So what did I do? I turned around.

And over the course of about 30 seconds, I marched across the gym, walked up to Katie, and blurted something to her that I still can’t remember to this day.

After a prolonged silence, she said yes and then walked away. Taking a few steps, she then turned around to say three words I’ll never forget:

It’s about time.

The art of getting brave

The way we build courage is by taking action, by staring something in the face that could fail — and doing it, anyway.

So how does this work? How do you face fear and start something, even when you’re afraid? It’s a three-step process:

Decide to decide. Commit to following through, before you begin.
Decide how to decide. Set the parameters. How long will you wait, how much information will you collect, when will you do it? Knowing this will help you not stall.
Do it. This is the hardest and most important part — you must follow through and accept the consequences.

It’s not the result of the choice that makes us brave. That’s not up to us. It’s the choice to do something we’re afraid of — that’s what makes us win, regardless of the outcome.

So what’re you waiting for? It’s time to get started.

Note: In this episode of the Portfolio Life, we also covered how to launch an eBook, what I’m currently working on, and more! Make sure you listen to the whole episode to get the goods.
How we apply this lesson to our lives

As silly as it sounds, I just started something I was afraid to ship: this podcast. And I’d love for you to leave an honest review.

You can also copy and paste this URL into the podcast player of your choice: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThePortfo....

Also, if you have any questions for future episodes like this one, let me know (just shoot an email to jeff at goinswriter dot com).

Lastly, I want to hear something you’re trying to start. Leave a comment below. And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please tweet about it or share it with your friends on Facebook.

Resources

Here are some resources and links mentioned in the podcast:

The Difference between Starting and Dreaming
The In-Between
The Essential Guide to Writing and Sharing an eBook

What’s something you’re wanting to start, but fear has been holding you back? Share in the comments.

The Secret to Not Sucking

There is a fine line between shipping and sucking.

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Here’s what I mean by that: If you subscribe to any number of blogs on writing, productivity, or business, you’ve probably heard the term shipping used in reference to creative work.

In past newsletters and blog posts, you’ve probably heard me tell you to ship, to just get your work out the door and see how it can change things.

And for the most part, I love this idea. It teaches you the difference between brainstorming and creating. It forces you to overcome your fear of failure and just put something out there. Plus, it frees you up to create new things.

But there is a shadow side to shipping.

Mediocrity versus making a difference

If you’re constantly shipping half-finished projects, it’s going to hurt your reputation.

“Just ship it” is not an excuse to do mediocre work. You should always be striving for excellence. Just remember that your work may never feel good enough and that even when it’s fantastic, you will still feel fear.

It’s a weird paradox, and I have no other counsel except this: embrace this tension. Always be looking for ways to make things better, and always remember that if it doesn’t ship, it doesn’t count.

Deadlines and budgets

I’m writing you this as I argue with my publisher about whether or not my next book is ready for publication — or if it needs another month of editing.

Part of me wonders if I’m just stalling, but I don’t think that’s it. It’s just not ready. I can’t explain it. I just feel it. (Note: A few trusted friends are encouraging me in this. They say it’s good, but that it could be awesome. I am trusting them.)

After reading the Steve Jobs biography, I found it interesting that many of Apple’s best products were over-budget and past deadline. All due to Jobs’s perfectionism.

Here’s the thing: Jobs was also obsessed with shipping. He was meticulous about things like rounded corners and the box a computer came in. Everything mattered. But he also wasn’t afraid to fail.

This is where we must find ourselves — if we’re going to do work that the world notices. It has to be great, and it has to ship.

Having twenty good books is not as good as having five excellent books. It might make you more money, but it won’t leave a legacy. Then again, it’s better than having no books at all.

This is relative

We are all at different places.

If you’re just starting out, you should probably err on the side of shipping. Because releasing your work is practice. It’s scary and hard, but it helps you get better.

But if you’ve learned the discipline of finishing, try holding off on a project. Do another revision. Get some feedback from a friend. Go the extra mile. Make it amazing.

So when do you ship and when do you wait? When is it okay to go over budget and extend your deadline? That’s up to you and your gut. Learn to trust your artist instincts (and the counsel of others).

But at the end of the day, it’ll still feel risky. And it is.

The thing to not do is stall. No one is going to pick you. Whether you wait or not is your call. You’re the one who has to live with the consequences.

My suggestions? Be brave. Fail fast. And make it count. I know of no other way to do this. Good luck.

Recommendation: If you haven’t read Steve Jobs yet, I highly recommend it. It’s on sale via Kindle on Amazon (affiliate link).

When have you chosen to not ship because it meant making something better? Share in the comments.

What Led Zeppelin Can Teach Us About Art

Editor’s note: Frank Viola is the author of five best-selling books and one of the co-creators of the Buzz Seminar. You can get his new co-authored book, BUZZ, free on Noisetrade. 

Led Zeppelin was arguably the most influential rock band in history.

Ending in 1980 with the death of their drummer, their music is timeless. Their songs are regularly featured on the soundtracks of contemporary motion pictures and commercials.

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Whether you are a Zep fan or not, the band was unique in countless respects. In this regard, there are three things every writer, blogger, and artist can learn from them.

Do what’s never been done before, even if it contradicts the advice of experts

Jimmy Page, the mastermind of the band, decided to release an album that had no title. In fact, it didn’t even have the name of the band on the cover!

Their record company retorted that this move was insane and constituted professional suicide. But Zep’s manager stood with the band and Page was sharp enough to acquire all artistic rights to do as the band pleased.

That untitled, unnamed album sold over 30 million copies, and today, it stands as one of the most sold albums in history. Songs from that very album are regularly featured in commercials and Hollywood movies today, some 40 years later.

So take risks. If you have a vision to do something different, go for it. And don’t let the conventional wisdom stop you.

Every time I’ve created a “never before” blog post or podcast, I’ve never regretted it. Even if it didn’t end up going viral.

Never, ever “dis” your competitors

If you look at the publishing industry carefully, it’s not unusual to find authors dissing other authors. Jealousy is often the root behind this “low road” behavior, so those at the top get shot at the most.

Just a few years into their career, Zeppelin eclipsed the renowned Beatles in popularity, both in the UK and the USA. When Zep was asked what they thought about The Beatles, Zep’s lead guitarist Jimmy Page commended the Beatles and their work publicly and powerfully.

The opposite example is illustrated by Elvis, who according to Beatle drummer Ringo Starr, was so threatened by The Beatles that Elvis tried to get them deported!

So always speak well of your competitors when asked. Even if they dis you out of jealousy. Taking the high road builds trust and admiration, and it serves as a powerful example for others.

(This is why I always say nice things about Jeff Goins.)

Stay true to your convictions rather than selling out to pop culture

While authors should always write for their audiences rather than for themselves, that doesn’t mean they should “sell out” to what’s popular. 

Here again Led Zeppelin can teach us about staying true to our convictions. Zep refused to do what every other artist and band did (and still does) at the time: They refused to release singles!

(This was true in the UK, and they only did it a few times in the US.)

Zeppelin wanted people to listen to their albums, because to their minds, an album represents a complete body of work. They wanted people to consume their entire projects rather than small fragments of them. And they were rewarded for their decision.

Zep albums rank among the most sold in history compared to most bands of the same genre and beyond. Zeppelin, in effect, forced consumers to check out their whole work or dismiss it entirely.

In all of these ways, writers, bloggers, authors — and other artists — can learn a few things from a 1970s rock-and-roll band that left its mark on the music world.

What is one change you can make in your writing using the ways of Led Zeppelin? Share in the comments.

004: Tim Ferriss on How to Become World-class at Anything [Podcast]

Note: I originally published this interview on my blog over a year ago, but because people loved it so much I brought it back to include on my new podcast. Enjoy!

We all want to feel more like directors and less like spectators in our lives. We want to be the boss, not the victim. What if a cookbook could help you do that?

I recently chatted with best-selling author Tim Ferris about this very idea.

Chef Tim

In this exclusive Q&A, Tim and I talk about his new book, The 4-Hour Chef, which is about a lot more than cooking.

My interview with Tim Ferriss

This isn’t just another cookbook. It’s a guide to taking control of what matters most to you, a blueprint for becoming the jefe of your own story.

Spread throughout The 4-Hour Chef (in addition to the 1500+ photos and 500+ pages of content) is the idea of meta learning and the process by which someone becomes “world-class” at anything (including cooking).

Tim is renowned for cracking the code on seemingly complex processes and breaking them down. He did it with his previous two books (both NY Times Best Sellers) by tackling issues of time management and weight loss.

And now, he’s teaching us how to cook. But that’s not all he’s doing.

This is just another rodeo for Mr. Ferriss. Long before his success as an author, he was mastering Japanese by reading comic books, becoming a kickboxing champ in China, and going toe to toe with the world’s best tango dancers in Argentina.

Interview highlights

Here’s what we talked about:

How Tim approaches learning — cooking, writing, you name it
Why being born premature (and having other disadvantages) worked to his advantage
What his greatest flaws are, how he’s not superhuman, and why failure is no excuse to quit
Why he doesn’t write for just one genre and what he’s learning from releasing a book only on Amazon
A whole lot more

The secret to becoming world class

Like I said, this book is about a lot more than cooking. It’s about how we learn to do things we’ve never been good at, how we overcome insecurities and succeed at endeavors that have always intimidated us.

In The 4-Hour Chef, Tim breaks down his approach to rapid skill acquisition and shows how you can replicate the process for anything you want to learn.

So… what’s the secret to becoming world class at anything?

“The way that you become world-class is… by asking good questions.” —Tim Ferriss (Click here to tweet that.)

The best way to master a craft is to be insatiably curious — at least that’s what works for Tim.

You can pick up a copy of the book on Amazon (affiliate link).

I hope you enjoy the interview. Feel free to download it and share with friends. And I would love for you to take a moment and leave a review on iTunes. This podcast is a work in progress, and I value your feedback.

Here’s to you becoming world-class!

What’s something that you’d like to be world-class at? Share in the comments.

It’s Time to Get Intentional About Blogging

Let’s see if this sounds familiar. You have a blog, but you update it maybe once or twice a month. You started strong, writing all sorts of content, but now you can barely remember your password.

Or maybe you’re tirelessly slaving away at the keyboard every day, but you just can’t seem to get anyone to read what you write.

Either way, you’re frustrated.

So what’s wrong with you? Maybe nothing.

Spend the next 12 weeks learning a new skill

This would be a great time to renew your vows to your blog, to start anew, to dig in and do the work.

Who knows? You just might see the results you’ve been longing for.

It’s time to get smart, to do what the online rockstars and blogging heroes do. To stop spinning your wheels and start working in the areas where you’ll see a reward.

There’s a reason why you’re still struggling, why you’re not seeing breakthrough with your blog. And as much as it pains me to say, it may have nothing to do with writing.

What most writers don’t know about the Internet

Do you wish you knew:

The secret to getting a ton of blog subscribers?
How to land a guest post on an A-list blog?
How to write content that actually gets read and remembered, instead of scanned and forgotten?
What the deal is with SEO? Do you really need to care about search engines?
And a whole lot more?

There’s more to blogging than being able to write great content. And it’s about time you learned what this craft was all about.

If this sounds like you, you should take my free online blogging course (which I just updated) to learn the answers to these questions.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s 100% free? Yep.

I’ve been blogging and training people how to blog since 2006, and these are some of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned — and I’m giving them to you, gratis.

All you have to do is click here to join Intentional Blogging and begin your blogging journey today. (If you’ve already taken the course, feel free to share this article online by tweeting about it or forward it to a friend.)

What would learning to be a better blogger do for you? Share in the comments.

Three Keys to Keep You From Feeling Like a Failure at the End of the Day

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Josh Christophersen, who is a web developer, church planter, and blogger. He lives in Kansas City with his wife and seven kids and is currently working on creating a board game with his four oldest. Visit his blog at 31kings.com

A lot of people go to bed at night feeling like a failure. Either they don’t get done what they wanted to do or what they did get done felt insignificant and unsatisfying.

Steve Jurvetson (Creative Commons)

Most people have hopes and desires of being successful, but for many, the problem is their definition of a successful day is undefined, vague, or unrealistic.

So let’s fix that.

Key #1: You have to be definitive

Many people are plagued by a vague sense of guilt that they’re not doing enough.

Until “enough” is defined, the voices will never be silent. And until success is defined, you won’t be focused on what needs to get done, much less accomplish it.

Defining success makes success possible. Defining the specific action items necessary to accomplishing success is what makes it practical.

So you can’t just define the outcome. You also have to define the process.

Key #2: You have to be specific

Some people have a definition of success, but their definition is too vague.

If your definition of success isn’t concrete, then any attempt at determining whether you’re successful (or not) will also be vague.

It’s no fun being unable to determine whether your day was a success or not. Merely hoping it was successful is a far cry from knowing it was.

A vague definition of success robs you of the satisfaction of knowing you ended your day well.

Key #3: You have to be realistic

Lastly, having a definition of success that is unrealistic sets you up for failure.

The more often your definition of success is unrealistic, the more often you will fail. And the more often you fail, the more often you’ll feel like a failure.

The more unrealistic your definition of success is, the higher your hopes will be, and the greater the let-down, which can make your heart sick.

So let’s put it all together…

What’s your definition of a successful day? That may be too broad of a question. So let’s be more specific, because each day is different.

What’s your definition of a successful today?

What’s the minimum that needs to be done to make today a success? Defining that allows you to create small wins that create momentum. Which empowers you to get way more done than any guilt ever could have accomplished.

Exceeding expectations leads to satisfying and significant work. So here’s how you can make tomorrow a success:

Pick the minimum number of tasks required to make your day a success. Do this first thing in the morning or the night before, and try limiting the list to no more than three items.
Do those things first. Make them a priority ahead of everything else.
Get more done with whatever time is left in the day. Use that sense of accomplishment you feel to create momentum.
Go to bed with the feeling that your day was a success (because it was) and do it all over again.

 What few things could you accomplish today that would make you feel like today was a success? Share in the comments.