No matter what I did… No matter how hard I tried… I was getting nowhere.
Why? Because I was start-stopping all the time.
You know what I mean.
Doing a little bit over here, then taking massive action over there. In other words, I fooled myself into believing that I just needed to put in the work ONCE.
HUGE mistake!
But I also made another costly mistake: Being efficient.
Doesn’t sound wrong. Right? Wrong.
You want to be more effective, not necessarily more efficient. But what’s the difference between being efficient and being effective in the first place?
Here’s how Peter F. Drucker, famous management consultant and university professor, defined it.
He said,
Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.”
…and concluded:
There is nothing quite so useless, as doing with great efficiency, something that should not be done at all.”
In essence, I lacked two components:
Focus and Consistency.
Focus + Consistency = Magic Formula
Keep your eye on what’s most important [Focus] AND do it over and over again [Consistency]. Soon, your actions start to compound (if you stay the course and put in the time & effort!); you build momentum FAST.
If there’s any secret, it’s this: Momentum starts to kick in when you least expect it. Remember that you MUST lay the groundwork FIRST (i.e. put in the work)—give first, receive second.
What has worked best for me is to release ANY expectations. This way I only focus on what I need to do, so that I can achieve the desired result.
More on that now.
Two valuable lessons learned
- Do it now (act in spite of fear, doubt, mood, etc.)—we all feel like not doing something, but it’s the winner who does it anyway. Focus on the long-term. If you don’t get it done today, how will it impact your future?
- Do it daily (be consistent)—every effect has a cause, and every cause has an effect (a.k.a. You reap what you sow).
That’s also reason why being passionate about something is crucial for success (a whole ‘nother topic!). Anyway. There will be days when it seems effortless. But what do you do when the going gets tough? When nothing seems to go right? What will you do then? Your attitude determines everything.
I did weekly blog posts; now I write daily.
I did read books on occasion; now I read daily.
I did … now daily. (You get the idea.)
Start today to build up your momentum and achieve whatever you set out for yourself.
Then, continue. (Keep your momentum going.)
–Mario M. Montreal, @MMMontreal
