Day #262: A Common Boulder

If there is a something in the way, you go around it or move it out of the way. Do you have a boulder in the way? Success is not one simple act, it’s a summation of your habits. In today’s world, so many people want to become an overnight success. However, what you don’t realize is that the most successful people work extremely hard. For example, Jack Ma (founder of Alibaba) credits his success to hard work and dedication. NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant would wake up at 4:00 A.M. to practice free-throws by himself before official practice started with the Olympic team hours later. He literally practiced before practice!

It may be a little clichéd but perfecting and practicing is the key to crafting success. As the saying goes – practice makes perfect. While at the same time:

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Ryuh

The problem is we encounter some very common boulders through life which limit our ability to succeed in achieving our dreams. Bad habits. In this case, there is one in particular which is literally a time killer if not followed. Now because time is limited and bound by the buckets we create – you should use it wisely.

A Lack Of Discipline

Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, time is our most precious and limited resource. There are only 24 hours in one day. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that you’ll wake up tomorrow. Sleeping and waking up at the same time every day is good for your body and helpful in setting a disciplined, daily routine. Besides being strict about when you wake up and go to bed, it’s also important to be protective of your time. A great tactic to do this is to designate a few days or specific hours throughout the week for “success time.”  These are blocks of time where you only focus on doing things that contribute to your personal goals and dreams, whether it’s learning a new language or working on a side business. By setting aside your “success time,” you’ll be able to focus on the things that matter most to you and will be less tempted to say “yes” to last-minute social invitations or distractions that can get in your way. You also have to be able to say “no” to committing to things that don’t interest or benefit you. Remember, the few hours you spend doing something you’re not that into are hours that you could have spent learning or growing yourself.

Being stubborn about your goals will give you the discipline and commitment you need! Stubborn is one thing, but being flexible is another. Be flexible with your goals. Stubborn enough to stay committed and not give in to being lazy and not working forward. However, you need to be flexible in how you get there. Sometimes, there will be obstacles, delays, and challenges that will require you to move forward in a different way. Just because there is an obstacle, doesn’t mean you cannot still progress. Maybe you will have setbacks, maybe it will just take longer and maybe different opportunities will come… regardless be flexible, but be committed!

If you’re not willing to be disciplined, tough and tight when it comes to managing and fixing your time to help you grow and get to the next level – then you may be stuck for a while.

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