Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts--Becoming the Person You Want to Be

by Marshall Goldsmith

Even when we get there, we cannot stay there without commitment and discipline.

We are superior planners and inferior doers.

The boxer-philosopher Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” As we wander through life, what punches us in the face repeatedly is our environment.

When our performance has clear and immediate consequences, we rise to the occasion. We create our environment. We don’t let it re-create us.

Quite often our smartest response to an environment is avoiding it.

we rarely triumph over an environment that is enjoyable.

To avoid undesirable behavior, avoid the environments where it is most likely to occur.

Let’s review what we’ve learned so far.

“sacrificing the future on the altar of today.”

1. Did I do my best to set clear goals today?

No clear goals, no engagement.

2. Did I do my best to make progress toward my goals today?

3. Did I do my best to find meaning today?

4. Did I do my best to be happy today?

5. Did I do my best to build positive relationships today?

6. Did I do my best to be fully engaged today?

I wasn’t being asked how well I performed but rather how much I tried.