The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure

by Grant Cardone

Setting the right targets, estimating the mandatory effort, and operating at the right level of action(s) are the only things that will guarantee success

The 10X Rule is based on understanding how much effort and thought are required to get anything done successfully.

the one thing that was most consistent with any success I've achieved was that I always put forth 10 times the amount of activity that others did.

in order to get to the next level of whatever you're doing, you must think and act in a wildly different way than you previously have been.

An interesting thing about success is that it's like a breath of air; although your last breath of air is important, it's not nearly as important as the next one.

Limiting the amount of success you desire is a violation of the 10X Rule in and of itself.

When people start limiting the amount of success they desire, I assure you they will limit what will be required of them in order to achieve success and will fail miserably at doing what it takes to keep it.

This is the focus of the 10X Rule: You must set targets that are 10 times what you think you want and then do 10 times what you think it will take to accomplish those targets. Massive thoughts must be followed by massive actions.

As long as you are alive, you will either live to accomplish your own goals and dreams or be used as a resource to accomplish someone else's.

Never reduce a target. Instead, increase actions. When you start rethinking your targets, making up excuses, and letting yourself off the hook, you are giving up on your dreams!

The 10X Rule assumes the target is never the problem. Any target attacked with the right actions in the right amounts with persistence is attainable.

Treating success as an option is one of the major reasons why more people don't create it for themselves—and why most people don't even get close to living up to their full potential.

Success must be approached from an ethical viewpoint. Success is your duty, obligation, and responsibility!

There will never be a dearth of success because it is created by those who have no limits in terms of ideas, creativity, ingenuity, talent, intelligence, originality, persistence, and determination.

The big players do not think in terms of restrictions like this. Instead, they think without limits—something that allows them to soar to levels that many others consider impossible.

Being dependent on only a single thing or person for success will limit your chances of achievement.

Success for anyone or any group is ultimately a positive contribution to all people and all groups as it provides validation of the possibilities to all.

it is impossible to take big actions if you don't take responsibility. It is equally impossible to do something positive when you are spending your time making excuses.

Anyone who uses blame as the reason why something happened or did not happen will never accumulate real success in life and only further his or her status as a slave on this planet. Those who give control over to another for their success—or lack of it—will never be in control of their lives.

There are four consistent factors in the life of the victim: (1) bad things happen to them, (2) bad things happen often, (3) they are always involved, and (4) someone or something else is always to blame.

Successful people take the opposite stance, and you must too: Everything that happens in your life comes as a result of your own responsibility, not merely some outside force.

Anytime you play victim in order to “be right,” you are taking on the identity of a victim, and that can't be a good thing. Until a person is done being a victim, he or she is unable to create solutions and success. That person only has problems.

Once you start to approach every situation as someone who is acting—not being acted upon—you will start to have more control over your life.

Disciplined, consistent, and persistent actions are more of a determining factor in the creation of success than any other combination of things.

Set 10X targets. 2. Align them with your other purposes. 3. Write them down every day—when you wake up and before you go to sleep.

in the business world, you always want to be in a position to dominate—not compete.

“If competition is healthy, then domination is immunity!”

Forward thinkers don't copy. They don't compete—they create. They also don't look at what others have done.

Never make it your goal to compete. Instead, do everything you can to dominate your sector in order to avoid spending your time chasing someone else.

Something has to absorb your thoughts every second of every day—so what should it be? Be obsessed with something. Make your dreams, goals, and mission your mind's and actions' dominant concern!

One of the major differences between successful and unsuccessful people is that the former look for problems to resolve, whereas the latter make every attempt to avoid them.

Always keep the four actions—doing nothing, retreating, taking an average amount of action, and taking massive action—in mind.

you must reframe your understanding of fear and use it as a reason to move forward rather than as an excuse to stop or retreat. Use this frequently avoided feeling as a green light to signal you to what you should do!

when you experience fear, it's a sign that the best time to take action is at that very moment.

I personally am not interested in balance; I am interested in abundance in every area. I don't think I should have to sacrifice one in favor of another. Successful people think in terms of “all,” whereas unsuccessful people tend to place limits on themselves.

The question they should be asking is “How can I have it all in abundance?”

Quit thinking in terms of either/or and start thinking in terms of all and everything.

some people avoid attention in the first place—as an attempt to dodge judgment. However, there's no way to achieve serious levels of success without getting some attention.

If you approach every situation wrought with anxiety about offending a client, then you will never attain dominance in the market.

People with a “can do” attitude approach every situation with the outlook that no matter what, it can be done. They consistently use phrases like “We can do it,” “Let's make it happen,” “Let's work it out”—and they always maintain that a solution exists.

Even if you're not sure how to do something, the best answer is “I will figure it out”—not “I don't know.”

Successful people see all situations—even problems and complaints—as opportunities.

highly successful individuals are compelled and invigorated by challenges.

many of us are taught to play it safe, be conservative, and never really “go for it” in a big way.

At some point, you will have to take a risk, and the successful are willing to do so daily.

The very successful know that the money is already created. They think in terms of generating wealth through the exchange of new ideas, products, services, and solutions. The very successful realize that they're not bound by shortages. They know that money exists in abundance and flows to those who create products, services, and solutions—and that wealth is not limited to a monetary supply.

Move your attention from conserving money to creating wealth, and you'll be thinking as successful people do.

Your ability to take action will be a major factor in determining your potential success—and is a discipline that you should spend time on daily.

the word “yes” has more life and possibilities in it—and is clearly so much more positive than “no.”

The successful fully and consistently commit to activities—some of which require them to put it all on the line.