Rich Fettke

Getting Started (The 30-60-90 Strategy)

Posted on 06. Dec, 2009 by Rich Fettke.

"The smallest of actions is always better than the noblest of intentions." -Robin S. Sharma, Author of Who Will Cry When You Die

What is something that you’ve wanted to do but you keep putting it off?

You can use the 30-60-90 strategy to help you get started on what really matters. Choose that one task that would feel great to get handled. Then, set a time when you will devote either 30, 60 or 90 minutes towards its completion. You don’t have to complete the task in the time you have allotted — you simply make a commitment to give it your total focus for that amount of time and then you can stop once the time frame has ended.

When you make a commitment and then take action on that commitment, you prove to yourself that you can be counted on. The more often you hear that message the more you will strengthen your self-belief and self-esteem.

Another benefit to this strategy is that when you take action on something that really matters you will get a charge of energy and motivation. Your brain will release endorphins that make you feel great and you will have created momentum that will carry over to other areas of your life. You don’t have to wait until you feel motivated to get going. Sometimes when you get going your motivation will follow and will grow.

ACTION IDEA:

Identify that one project or action that would benefit your career or your life if it were handled. Make a commitment to yourself to take action today. Decide if you will commit to this action for 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Then choose a time to begin and get to it. If you really want to improve the results of this strategy, ask your coach or success partner to hold you accountable. Make a promise to call or email before you begin and then immediately after you complete your task.

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Your Built-In Fear Handling Fuel

Posted on 04. Dec, 2009 by Rich Fettke.

"The professional athlete’s love of an adrenaline spike should almost never be linked to compulsive behavior. Quite the opposite is true. It’s more appropriate to say that taking a risk and succeeding because of their wits and skill feels orgasmic." -Maryann Karinch, Lessons from the Edge

When you are afraid, your body responds with its own form of rocket fuel: adrenaline.

Adrenaline is one of the natural drugs your body releases when you push limits or you are confronted with a challenge. Adrenaline flows through your body, giving you extra awareness, mental clarity and the ability to respond quickly to different situations. Colors are sharper, sounds are clearer. You are more conscious of odors and your body feels energized.

Whether you are jumping out of a plane or setting up a sales presentation with your hottest prospect, if the activity scares you, adrenaline will provide you with the strength you need to succeed. By recognizing how you feel when adrenaline is coursing though your veins, you will become much more skilled at using this ally to your advantage because you are employing it to accomplish a goal.

At the same time you should be aware that adrenaline also kicks in when you are under all kinds of stress, everything from getting caught in traffic to dealing with difficult people. In these types of everyday situations, adrenaline can burn you out because your body doesn’t get a chance to rest and recuperate.

I used to get tense from adrenaline in all kinds of circumstances and now, because I’ve gotten used to the feeling through extreme sports, I can say, "Ah, I know this feeling. It’s adrenaline. I need to be aware of why I’m feeling it. Am I facing a real risk or do I just need to reduce the number of stressful events that I tolerate in my life? Maybe I need to leave a little earlier to avoid traffic or perhaps I should discuss what’s bothering me with a friend."

By learning what adrenaline feels like, you can use it instead of it using you.

ACTION IDEA:

UNDERSTAND HOW FEAR WORKS

Answer the following questions to get a better understanding of how you handle fear.

1. What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
2. Why did you do it?
3. What was your fear telling you?
4. What were you focusing on?
5. What could you have focused on to reduce your fear?
6. What did you learn about yourself and your fears?

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Getting Out of the Gray Area

Posted on 25. Nov, 2009 by Rich Fettke.

“You can either take action or you can hang back and hope for a miracle.”
-Peter Drucker
 

Professional speaker Rosita Perez has a great rhyme that goes, “One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, three to get ready, three to get ready…” Can you relate? It’s such an easy trap to get stuck thinking, “Should I do it now? Maybe. Maybe not.”

The gray area between “yes” and “no,” which clouds your mind with indecision and frustration, is easy to get stuck in. This twilight zone is known as procrastination, an approach that can stifle your progress toward your dreams and goals. When you are stuck in the procrastination pit your energy can get zapped out of you faster than electricity from a California power plant.

The best way to overcome procrastination is to make a simple choice, either yes or no. Proactive as opposed to reactive, choice implies responsibility. You’re either going to discover what is holding you back and act on it or move ahead right now. It’s as straightforward as that.

What task or next step have you been getting ready for? Where have you been procrastinating?

My request for you is to make a choice.

You have three options:

1. Choose "no" and let it go. Simply embrace the fact that you’re never going to do it.

2. Another choice is to decide when you will take action (a specific date) and determine what that action will be. I’d suggest sharing that commitment with someone to help hold you accountable.

3. Choose one step you could take today — even a small step — toward your goal. Then follow through as soon as possible.

Making a choice is powerful. It will stop the procrastination energy drain and provide you with new freedom and motivation to focus on what really matters. What is your choice?

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Go For a Record

Posted on 22. Nov, 2009 by Rich Fettke.

Hans getting some reading in at the office

It can be very inspiring to surround yourself with people who are consistently pushing their limits.  My friend, Hans Florine, is one of those people.  Hans is a record-holding rock climber who won gold in speed climbing three years in a row at the ESPN X-Games and currently holds the world speed record on the Nose route of El Capitan in Yosemite.

Four years ago, Hans gave me a challenge — to join him in doing 100 sit-ups (non-stop) every day for 100 days in a row. In the beginning, it was tough just remembering to do the sit-ups each day…let alone completing 100 non-stop.  After a week it got a little easier.  After a few weeks it became a habit that I actually enjoyed.  Some days I’d do even more than 100.  My core got stronger (and tighter) and I felt great. When we reached our 100 day goal I didn’t want to stop!  We recommitted to taking the same challenge on for another 100 days.  Today, I am happy to report that we recently completed our fourth year of this challenge…and we don’t plan on stopping.  So far we have completed over 146,000 sit-ups in the last four years.  (36,500 sit-ups a year x 4 years)

Over the years I have given the challenge of going for a record to my audiences when I speak and to several of my coaching clients.  Now I’m offering it to you.  What record could you go for that would add to your health, wealth, wisdom or peace of mind?

Here are some examples:

• Make 200 prospecting calls in 5 days
• Complete a marathon in under 4 hours
• Write for one hour a day for 100 days
• Acknowledge or compliment someone every day for a month
• Be on time for every appointment over the next 100 days

You see, there are many different ways you can go for a record.  Start today (or tomorrow) and make a personal commitment to give it your best.  Maybe it’s some daily action to take for 100 days in a row.  Maybe it’s a one time record that will help you take a big step toward a business or personal goal. 

Whatever you choose, ask someone to be your accountability partner and offer to be theirs.  Check in on a regular basis – daily or weekly to increase your focus and commitment.  And most of all…enjoy the process of pushing your limits and expanding your success.

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