Rich Fettke

"Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, life’s a cinch."

-Anonymous

Well, we are now half way through the year.  Are you making progress with your dreams and goals? What I’ve noticed with many of my clients (and myself) is that we come up with some great ideas and plans, we begin to take action, and then life "gets in the way."

Creating and using Success Habits is one of the best ways I’ve found to move in the direction of your most important goals, without getting caught in the Struggle Syndrome. Try this. Think of one action that would add to your success if you did it on a daily basis.

After pondering that question for a little while, my client Lisa told me that she had lots of friends who were willing to refer business to her, but she had been slacking off when it came to calling them. Lisa wanted to build her financial planning practice, but she was overwhelmed with all the other "stuff" she had to do. She told me, "If I were to follow up with a couple of my friends each day, I’m sure it would stir up new business for me."

Lisa asked me to hold her accountable each week to following her new Success Habit. She contacted one friend a day and the results were outstanding! Lisa’s client base began to grow almost every week through referrals. She saw, first hand, the benefit of using Success Habits. Since then, Lisa has added four more success habits to her life, ranging from walking three times per week to sending a card to a friend or family member once a week saying what she appreciates about them. Her business is more profitable and her life is more balanced and fulfilling. Lisa learned that yard by yard life is hard…inch by inch, it’s a cinch.

ACTION IDEA:

What is ONE action that would add to your success (at work or in life) if you did it on a daily basis? Make a commitment to yourself to take action this week. If you really to want improve the results of this strategy, come up with a way to track your Success Habit and ask someone to be your partner and to hold you accountable. Tell your partner that at the end of the week you will let him or her know how many times you followed through on your habit. Use the power of partnership and public declaration to increase your chance of success. Enjoy the process!

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"There is only one success — to be able to spend your life in your own way."  -Chistopher Darlington Morley, American Novelist

A "homework" assignment I often give to my coaching clients is to create a list of their helpful daily rituals. So often we just go along without really stopping to think what actions we can take on a daily basis that will add better health, success, joy and peace of mind to our lives.

It’s a pretty simple exercise, really.  Make a list of those actions that you know — or you believe — would benefit you (and/or others) if you followed through with them on a daily basis.  Below is a list of several different "daily rituals" that I have learned from a variety of clients over the years.  Many of these I strive to follow myself and I can personally attest to the value of reading (and living) my "daily ritual" list on a regular basis.

• Jump out of bed with a smile at 6 am
• Go for a morning walk
• Do Yoga or a stretching routine
• Pray, meditate and/or visualize
• Work on most important project before reading email in the morning
• Plan the day and clarify the three most important items to focus on during the day
• Read or listen to something inspirational/educational every day
• Go for a walk at lunchtime
• Take a risk a day to build my business
• Connect with at least one friend each day
• Connect with at least one business contact each day
• Review my calendar and mail out any birthday or congratulations cards
• Exercise
• Sit in my car for a few minutes after work and give thought to how I want to be when I get home
• Read or tell stories to my kids
• Kids to bed by 8:45 pm
• Set up coffee maker the night before
• Layout clothes for morning walk the night before
• Visualize my top 3 intentions/goals/dreams before bed
• Be in bed by 11 pm

Choose your favorites from the list above and also add your own to create your own list of Daily Rituals that will add better health, success, joy and peace of mind to your life. Once complete, read your Daily Rituals at the beginning and/or end of each day. Over time, notice how these small actions make a big difference.

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"Affirmation without action leads to delusion." -Dr. Robert Anthony

There is positive momentum and negative momentum. Are you moving toward what you want…or away from it? Here are ten ideas (or reminders) that can help you create and maintain momentum towards what really matters.

1. Take some time to clarify your desired future outcome. Success is seeing what you want and moving toward what you see. What is important to you? Who are you becoming? How will your intention contribute to others?

2. Use visual reminders of your intention. Get some magazines and cut out pictures and words related to your goal. Put them where you’ll see them on a regular basis, like on your bathroom mirror, in your wallet, next to your computer screen, or on a poster board.

3. Set clear goals with clear timelines. Write down what the goal is, how you will know when you have achieved it, and a date when you will have achieved it.

4. Be action-oriented. When an opportunity presents itself that fits with your vision, respond to it immediately.

5. Ask yourself, "How much and what kind of fun will I have with this project?" This will help raise your energy. If you’re dreading the process there’s a good chance your momentum is going to get stifled.

6. Fill your mind with inspiration. Read books, listen to audio programs, and watch videos that educate, uplift and inspire you. Go to seminars and attend conventions related to your goal. Read about and learn about people who have done what you want to do.

7. Take a Risk a Day. So often to move towards what we really want requires us to get out of our comfort zone. By getting into the habit of taking a risk a day you will strengthen your courage as you take those important actions that can lead to your greatest opportunities.

8. Create a support team. Ask a few of your friends to form a group to support each other on your goals. Hire a personal coach or a business coach. Find a mentor. Hire a financial planner, an accountant, a fitness trainer, a counselor – whoever you think would add input, support, advice, feedback, and/or accountability to help you keep your attention on your intention.

9. Consistently review your top three intentions. Write down your top three intentions and read them every day so they’re fresh in your mind. This will add fuel to your fire and will help you focus your attention on what matters during your day. It will also help you recognize the opportunities that might help you move toward your desired future outcome.

10. Clarify how your intention also helps others. The fuel that can come from helping others can inspire you to take action and stay focused on your goals. When you see your intention as a cause and you find the passion and nobleness in your actions, you will likely have more energy to get the momentum going – and keep it going – as you move forward toward your intention.

When you take action and stay focused on what really matters, you create momentum…and momentum creates momentum.

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