I was talking with somebody recently about what was happening in their business and where they were getting stuck. This person’s comment was something like “I just know that I need to be 100% committed to doing what needs to be done, including the little things. I feel like I’m about 95%, but I’m seeing that 100% is what’s necessary.”

I thought this was an astute observation. We then talked about an analogy in the realm of physical training that I believe you’d benefit from. Here goes.

In any workout- for improved endurance or strength- the actual growth stimulus occurs in a VERY small portion of the workout. That portion is THE LAST 1-5% of the entire workout, if the workout is done correctly. For Read More...

Who said this? “Never give up! Never give up! Never, ever give up!”

If you answered “Winston Churchill”, you would be correct! Thank goodness, there were men like him in the day when the world needed them most.

His message, of course, was related to World War II, but its implications for our lives are profound.

If a person gives up on his or her dream, all that will surely follow is sadness and depression. You need to team up with someone who will encourage you to “never, ever give up”. If you do not have a friend, parent, sibling, or spouse who fills this role for you as your biggest supporter, it can be very, very hard to persist.

In fact, those who should and could be Read More...

2010 is here and it is now time to focus on what you want to accomplish in the New Year. If you haven’t set your goals yet…what are you waiting for!! This list is a great place to start. And if you have set your goals, this Top 10 List will give you a checklist to ensure you are set up for success.

1. The first step to goal setting is being specific!  Examine your life and figure out what you want to change, then narrow it down to one specific thing you can realistically change in a specific time period.

2. Once you have chosen your goal, write it down and post it where you will see it multiple times a day. A customized screen saver is a great way to keep your goal in front of you; a note on your fridge or taped to your TV Read More...

A couple of months ago, my wife Peggy and I went to New York to run a Half-Marathon with our friend Meredith. It was an amazing run on a cloudy September morning in Central Park. The entire night before it had rained and we prepared for a wet run, and luckily the rain stopped before the race started and held off until we were walking home afterwards but needless to say it was HUMID throughout the race.

And for anyone who hasn’t been to Central Park it is a lot hillier than you might think, I don’t remember many flat stretches on the entire run. So, if you add up these elements the race was a little tougher than we had thought it might be that day AND besides all of that Peggy had just discovered she was Read More...

Finishing strong in the 4th quarter is still about your technical prowess, but it’s at least as much about keeping your head in the game.

Here are 6 questions that I would encourage you to answer. Your answers go a long way towards determining how the next 8 weeks will feel when they’re done.

Take a few moments to put your answers in the comments below. Do it quickly, do it NOW, and then watch your email for an analysis of your answers.

#1- How often do you review/reconnect with your goals for Q4?

#2- How many days per week do you begin with some version of a power half-hour where you consciously program your mind for a successful day?

#3- How many times per Read More...

We just found a super cool (and free) website/service that increases your accountability to your goals and commitments by allowing you to put a “contract” on yourself.  

The website is www.stickK.com and it is free to use.

You make a “Commitment Contract” with yourself and set the stakes as to what happens when you miss a check-in or your goal.

The Commitment Contract concept is based on two well known principles of behavioral economics:

1.  People don’t always do what they claim they want to do, and
2.  Incentives get people to do things

Here is how it works:

1 – Go to Read More...