May 15, 2024

Something I’m Reading

I'm reading Seth Godin’s book, "The Dip” which is all about when to stick and when to quit. How do you power through the hard parts in business and life?

Something I Photographed

My morning gym time (from the story in this BTB).  I didn’t take a picture after the jog… it wasn’t pretty.

Something I’m Excited About

I’m hosting a FREE live webinar next Tuesday, 5/21 at 5pm PST (8pm EST). I’ll be teaching you how to "Buy Your Next Cash-flowing Rental Property in 3 Months or Less” and I’m challenging everyone to do it! To register, click here.

Some Thoughts to (Hopefully) Make Your Life Better

Sometimes taking a GOOD action is a TERRIBLE idea...

I'm trying to get in better shape.

(Aren't we all?)

So the other day, I woke up at 5:30am and I went to the gym. I worked out hard for about 45 minutes, and then went home, played with the kids, then went off to work in my "sea shed."

Now, that gym workout IS really important to me.

This is what I'd call an "Objective Action," which is an action taken because I decided ahead of time (while in a state of objectivity rather than an emotional or impulsive state) to do so.

You see, I decided back in early April, at the quarterly BetterLife Goal Setting Workshop, that I would go to the gym 5 days each week in Q2. This habit is objectively a good action. It lines up to my quarterly goals, which lines up to my annual goals, which lines up to my vision of my future self. (sound familiar? this is what we do in The BetterLife Tribe.)

But not all actions, even good ones, are the right ones to take.

Later in that same day, after a few important meetings, I found myself with a 90 minute break with no meetings. Now, there are a lot of fires to put out when you run 5 different companies.

But instead, I went and jogged for 30 minutes, then needed 30 minutes to shower and get back into it.

So let me ask you: was the jog a "bad action?"

Of course not- jogging is good. It supports my desire to live a healthier life.

But jogging, while a "good thing" was chosen SUBJECTIVELY, in the moment, on a whim.

And, to be honest, I chose it because I had 100 other important things to do, but I didn't know which of those was most important, and it wasn't super clear on what the next step was on those things. I also didn’t have anyone breathing down my neck to get those things done...

So I jogged.

I did a good action rather than the right action.

Maybe you've done the same? You've done something "easy" or "simple" or "default" rather than the harder, more vague action that really needed to get done?

When we live our lives "subjectively," we might do good things. The trash does need to be taken out. The dog does need to go to the groomers. We do need to paint that living room. But also, those Subjective Actions, when they take the place of an Objective Action, can slow down progress on the things that REALLY matter in life.

So how do we make sure we're doing the Objective Actions?

First, have an objective. What are you going after in life? Do you have a clear picture of what five-year-future-you is like? Do you have quarterly goals set? Did you set them in some kind of objective event, like the BetterLife Quarterly Goal Setting Workshops?

The key to incredible progress, speed, and efficiency in the pursuit of your goals is this:

1.) Have a clear target

2.) Define the steps needed to get there

3.) Do those actions daily

4.) Add in accountability so you don't fall off track

5.) Re-evaluate regularly and objectively.

Do that, and watch your life grow.

To your better life,

P.S. Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this week’s BTB! Please be friendly :)