I am aware that the headline of this post promises a great deal. However, I honestly believe that what I’m going to share with you today can enable you to achieve just about anything you put your mind to (within reason).
I’m not about to offer you some spectacular shortcut to success and riches — I’m just going to tell you the mental outlook you need to adopt in order to succeed. Everything else falls in line behind that. I developed this outlook only in the last year or two — I didn’t start my journey to leaving work behind with it but I certainly needed it when the time came to build a successful online business.
Believe in the Inevitability of Improvement (tweet this)
The basis for succeeding in anything is believing in the inevitability of improvement. Or to put it another way, believe that if you apply yourself to a particular discipline effectively, you will get better at it.
Once you truly accept that consistent application results in improvement you will understand that there are a world of possibilities out there and that the only thing blocking your way is your willingness to apply yourself.
Check this out:
Obviously I don’t post this here to boast 😉 I know that my technique is not exactly flawless to say the least. But I do post it to underline my point. I started learning piano less than five weeks ago and I’ve gone from not being able to read music to this stage in that time. I am of course no virtuoso but this is a good example of how one can improve in a short space of time with application.
If you wanted to become better at playing piano there’s nothing to stop you (assuming you can get your hands on an instrument). You can start developing your skill today and in a week’s time you’ll be better. In a month’s time you’ll be able to string a tune together like I did in my video above. And in a year’s time, if you’ve applied yourself properly, you will be an accomplished player able to really wow any non-musician with your ability behind the keys. The only thing stopping you is you.
Just About Anything in Life is a Process
The real mental breakthrough for me was in realizing that I can achieve many awesome things if I just embrace the process. Most people want to skip the steps to success and arrive directly at the end goal, which is the kind of attitude that results in failure and giving up. If on the other hand you embrace the process and focus on each next step, your progress will be quite remarkable.
This approach was encapsulated beautifully by James Clear in a post on consistently achieving goals:
In my experience, a better way to approach your goals is to set a schedule to operate by rather than a deadline to perform by.
Instead of giving yourself a deadline to accomplish a particular goal by (and then feeling like a failure if I don’t achieve it), you should choose a goal that is important to you and then set a schedule to work towards it consistently.
I love this approach. If you shift your focus from the end goal to the next step necessary in the path to achieving that goal, your outlook changes entirely. Getting to that next step is likely to be relatively straightforward, even if the end goal is way of out sight. Why punish yourself for not achieving the impossible when you can reward yourself for consistent progress towards an ultimate goal?
Seek Personal Growth
Many people set goals to increase material wealth and I have no problem with that at all. But personal growth is more valuable than anything else, regardless of your goals.
Let me explain by means of an example from my past. For the first six months or so in my journey to leaving work behind I was a serial failure. If you check out my old income reports you can see that it took me six months to make any money. I completely failed in terms of achieving material goals.
However, I had succeeded in building my skill set and learning an awful lot from my failures. In the following six months I made over $11,000 and was on my way.
If I were to try and visualize my income growth versus knowledge growth it would look something like this:
As you can see, at the beginning my knowledge growth outstripped income growth dramatically (after all, I was losing money). Although I was a “material failure,” I took solace in the fact that I knew my skill set was growing all the time. It took time for my income to catch up and reflect my increased knowledge, but the improvement came.
As you can see from the last point on the graph, I believe that my knowledge potential now outstrips my actual earnings considerably. The main limiting factor on my income is now the time I choose to devote to my business, not my ability to earn more.
A Challenge
Progress through consistent quality application is an inevitability, not a possibility. This applies to absolutely anything you turn your mind to within the limits of your physical and/or mental capacity. And let me tell you, when it comes to your goals, they’re more likely to be within your limits than outside of them.
With that in mind I have a challenge for you. It’s quite simple: embrace a process. Think of a particular ability you would like to be proficient in then start getting better at it. It could be anything: learning French, improving your curve ball, building a successful blog, and so on. Set your mind to improving yourself. Focus on personal growth rather than material wealth. Reward yourself when you can recognise improvement.
If you apply yourself in this fashion you will get better — it is an inevitability. If you can truly believe that then your potential to achieve spectacular things is huge.
Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon
This is pure truth.
You’re not going to succeed in anything if you do not persist your efforts and keep on looking for things to improve upon. For myself, deciding to be a freelance blogger with absolutely no idea how to write effectively was like jumping in the far side of the pool and trying to stay afloat. I’m still nowhere really, but what I do see is that my writing style itself is starting to improve. It’s not only because of the writing I’m doing, reading other people’s blogs like yours gives me an idea how to create appealing content.
And about that “jumping in the far side of the pool” bit, I applied for a freelance game writer position on a new website with no pay to start building my portfolio. It’s a small thing but it can get the ball rolling!
Again, great post Tom
Thanks Yannick! As for jumping in the far side of the pool, I’ve been there. Just stick at it!
Hey Tom,
Like my AA meeting group’s name is “Progress, not Perfection”..We alcoholics get all worked up and mad, which gives us a reason to drink because something we’re trying to produce is not perfect.
Besides all the other mixed up crap we have in our heads, we try to work on being better each day, not trying to be the best. Makes it easier to sleep at night instead of mumbling around in the dark.
Good post, ties in with Seth Godin’s idea of “ship it”…!!!
Hey Joe,
Good stuff, thanks. Aiming for perfection can be a killer — especially if you view one small transgression as grounds for completely giving up.
It’s like some days I am horribly unproductive, but I don’t let that ruin my week. I just take stock and resolve to have a super-productive day tomorrow (incidentally that is exactly what has happened today!).
It’s not the mistakes that really screw us over — it’s how we deal with them and respond.
Cheers,
Tom
Have you heard about the guy who decided to quit his job and invest 10,000 hours into learning how to be a pro golfer? He is at http://www.thedanplan.com – Over the first 3800 hours of practice, he has become a 5 handicapper – all this from never having played before.
I think we sell ourselves short, and most of us can accomplish anything we want, IF we put in the work.
That is awesome Tim and a fantastic example of exactly what I am trying to preach here. Thank you!
Thanks for this post, Tom. My current challenge is that I’ve undertaken Marie Forleo’s B-School, which starts today. I realized that in order to get a business up and running, I needed a lot more education. No more “winging it” and hoping things work. Just like with your piano-playing example (nicely done!), I will take it step by step and eventually get where I want to be. Thanks again.
No problem Mary and best of luck!
I like this post. Says similar in Millionaire Fastlane that everyone celebrates the event (the result/finished product/performance) but no-one cares about the process, the continuous, relentless action and improvemnet which is required to get from where you are to where you want to be.
Incidentally that is one of my favorite books Ian 🙂
Outstanding post Tom,
This is why I say you have to be successful to be successful.
It starts with understanding this concept in your mind. Success #1.
It continues when you start to evaluate your progress objectively and commit to doing whatever it takes to improve.
There are wins inside the mile.
Knowing that there are wins inside the mile can make all the difference between success and giving up.
I love this post!
And your rendition of The Entertainer was so good, I played it twice 🙂
What method did you use to learn to play the piano? (personal tutor/online course/book?)
Haha, thanks Adrian! I’m using a book called “It’s Never Too Late to Play Piano” and I have a 30 minute lesson every week (I’ve had three so far).
The key is in “deliberate” practice — i.e. not just playing, but playing to improve.
Always love your posts, Tom.
You couldn’t be any more right about what you just said. I have (mostly) adopted this mindset. I think what’s so hard is dealing with people in the world who DON’T have this mindset when you do. I often try to tell people what I do to succeed, and they would follow in those footsteps if it weren’t for their lack of belief in themselves. Or their sheer frustration.
But, to each their own. 🙂
You’re right Melissa — I am surrounded by people who don’t have this mindset and it can get a little depressing.
Cheers,
Tom
Yes! I think people fail to remember that it takes hard work to be successful. I am totally on board about personal goals. People really need to see what motivates them apart from money. Once they have that motivation it will really help them pursue their dreams and actually have them come into fruition.
I find that many people who read make money online blogs forget the hard work bit unfortunately. That is why unscrupulous types makes so much selling “proven systems.”
Great post, Tom! Love the idea of embracing the process. It goes along with living in the moment, which is something I’ve been consistently trying to get better at.
Thanks Susan! I’m all for living in the moment — at the risk of stating the obvious, at any particular point in time all we have is the moment.
Very inspiring and heartfelt. Kudos!
Great post! It’s important to hear this. We live in a world of instant gratification and quick fixes but the reality is some things (most things!) take time and lots of work. One thing I would add is focus. To pick a focus and commit to seeing it through.
Totally agree with you Anna — dividing your energy across multiple interests is a surefire way to achieve nothing overall
Hey Tom,
I think one of the most important things to do is that you can’t allow failure to shake your personal self worth and identity.
A lot of people fail, and then quit because of failure. But here’s the thing:
EVERYONE who has been successful has failed at some time or the other.
Tiger Woods has lost numerous golf tournaments
Michael Jordan has missed a number of game winning shots
Richard Branson dropped out of school at 16 because he struggled with learning.
All of these people continued to believe in themselves AFTER failing at some time or the other.
Of course, I’m not encouraging people set overly optimisitic goals. But I believe that every truly successful person knows how to deal with failure, and lets it motivate them as opposed to demotivate them.
So learn from failure, so that when it comes, you know what to do better the next time. Don’t let it deflate you, but instead use that energy that comes from failure to push your desire to succeed.
Absolutely right Daryl — as I’ve said many times before, it’s how you deal with failure that truly defines your potential for success.
Great Post! I would love to learn the piano one day, haven’t got access to one at the moment though.
Looking forward to your one year piano update.
I’ll be a concert pianist by then 😉
Brilliant post Tom!
In previous years my journey was marked with getting stuck at the process stage, becoming frustrated and giving up. I would often become overwhelmed with the BIG picture end goal, grow fainthearted and stop.
Before seeing progress in any area of my life, whether in parenting, writing, or fitness, I’ve had to first come to terms with this.
Though I do still have the end goal in mind and think it’s important to not lose sight of it, intentional focus on the next step, and allowing myself to experience ‘quick wins’ that warrant celebration and build confidence, is certainly where I’ve seen the most progress.
Embracing the process makes all the difference!
Thanks for sharing – good stuff!
No problem Nicholas; thanks for sharing your story with us!
Hi Tom,
Congratulations on your achievements so far with piano playing and a great article that makes sense.
Here is an entertaining TED video you may appreciate (if you have not seen it yet) http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
Best wishes,
Nathalie
Thanks Nathalie; I’ll check it out!
Tom,
Love the post dude! It so fits in right now with where I am at in my life as well, learning, implementing, and failing—but never giving up. Learning what success is can really be a huge drive for someone wanting to be successful but who may never have experienced it.
One tip I can suggest is to surround yourself with those who are successful in the industry which you are working towards. I actually have heard this many times before, but I am currently reading Rich Dad Poor Dad and he mentioned how he was blessed to be around a group of successful people at a young age, who all were CEOS or top persons in their business niche. You soon will hear all of what they go through, but you will mostly see their drive and motivation to make things work…but it starts with the way you think.
Awesome stuff!
Great suggestion Aleshia — I remember reading Rich Dad Poor Dad many years ago. We are the people we choose to spend time with…
Excellent insight! I’ve always had a problem with goal setting simply because many times I was disappointed. But now, I can definitely “embrace the process!” Thanks for great information.
Pleasure Gwendolyn 🙂
Fabulous article Tom! Three cheers and hip hip hooray! I’m sharing this with everyone I know AND printing a copy to post on my bulletin board as a reminder. You are an inspiration!
Awesome, thank you Charity! 🙂
love it this post , you really make my day go by at my office