Archive for the ‘Personal Development’ Category

I’m sure most of you that follow my blog know that myself and a whole lot of my friends have been engaged in a series of 90 Day Challenges to improve our overall health and fitness.  I think over the past year, I have seen more about true human nature than I actually wanted to, but I have to say it’s been a great learning experience.

Most of us who have chosen to step off the beaten path of mediocrity and chase success can easily relate that we have seen our fair share of “detractors” along the say.  Call them Naysayers, Complainers, Toxic People, or just pain ole Curmudgoens, most of us have seen and heard them all!  We have also seen how people with a dream and the motivation to get ahead have  been derailed by a friend or a family member whose sole intent was to drag that “dreamer” back to mediocrity.

The sad part is that as we know, the whole process has nothing to do with the person trying to get ahead, but is all about the person who isn’t moving.  Our society is flat out scared of someone leaving the pack.  We have a herd mentality.  When one buffalo ventures out of the herd, the others do everything in their power to herd them back in.  It’s a survival instinct in the animal kingdom, and works exactly the same way with humans.

It’s an unfortunate fact.  Those of us that are on our journey of breaking new ground do face so many challenges, but what we never expect is that many of our friends and family won’t cheer us on.  It’s like fighting a 2 front war, but many of us will never give up no matter what.  I’m sure you are one of those people.  What we really need is an education on how to overcome these adversities.

I’m a huge Tim Ferriss fan.  I think this video does a great job of putting all these “Haters” in perspective.

 

 

I mean, let’s face it.  Only about 10-20 percent of people in today’s society are ever going to do anything with their life anyway.  More than anything, I wish that number was 80%, but it just isn’t so.  Most people are going to be reactionary and plod through life complaining and letting someone else determine their future and design their life.  You are reading this blog because you are part of the 20% that actually is or wants to take charge.

I hope you enjoyed Tim’s video, I know it caused me to re-look at how I approach those in my life who don’t add value.  Here is a Mashable reprint of the points Tim makes in his video.  Enjoy and implement today!

 

1. It doesn’t matter how many people don’t get it. What matters is how many people do.

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“It’s critical in social media, as in life, to have a clear objective and not to lose sight of that,” Ferriss says. He argues that if your objective is to do the greatest good for the greatest number of people or to change the world in some small way (be it through a product or service), you only need to pick your first 1,000 fans — and carefully. “As long as you’re accomplishing your objectives, that 1,000 will lead to a cascading effect,” Ferriss explains. “The 10 million that don’t get it don’t matter.”

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2. 10% of people will find a way to take anything personally. Expect it.

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“People are least productive in reactive mode,” Ferriss states, before explaining that if you are expecting resistance and attackers, you can choose your response in advance, as opposed to reacting inappropriately. This, Ferriss says, will only multiply the problem. “Online I see people committing ‘social media suicide’ all the time by one of two ways. Firstly by responding to all criticism, meaning you’re never going to find time to complete important milestones of your own, and by responding to things that don’t warrant a response.” This, says Ferriss, lends more credibility by driving traffic.

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3. “Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity.” (Colin Powell)

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“If you treat everyone the same and respond to everyone by apologizing or agreeing, you’re not going to be recognizing the best performers, and you’re not going to be improving the worst performers,” Ferriss says. “That guarantees you’ll get more behavior you don’t want and less you do.” That doesn’t mean never respond, Ferriss goes on to say, but be “tactical and strategic” when you do.

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4. “If you are really effective at what you do, 95% of the things said about you will be negative.” (Scott Boras)

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“This principle goes hand-in-hand with number two,” Ferriss says. “I actually keep this quote in my wallet because it is a reminder that the best people in almost any field are almost always the people who get the most criticism.” The bigger your impact, explains Ferriss (whose book is a New York Times, WSJ and BusinessWeek bestseller), and the larger the ambition and scale of your project, the more negativity you’ll encounter. Ferriss jokes he has haters “in about 35 languages.”

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5. “If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” (Epictetus)

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“Another way to phrase this is through a more recent quote from Elbert Hubbard,” Ferriss says. “‘To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” Ferriss, who holds a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive tango spins, says he has learned to enjoy criticism over the years. Ferriss, using Roman philosophy to expand on his point, says: “Cato, who Seneca believed to be the perfect stoic, practiced this by wearing darker robes than was customary and by wearing no tunic. He expected to be ridiculed and he was, he did this to train himself to only be ashamed of those things that are truly worth being ashamed of. To do anything remotely interesting you need to train yourself to be effective at dealing with, responding to, even enjoying criticism… In fact, I would take the quote a step further and encourage people to actively pursue being thought foolish and stupid.”

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6. “Living well is the best revenge.” (George Herbert)

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“The best way to counter-attack a hater is to make it blatantly obvious that their attack has had no impact on you,” Ferriss advises. “That, and [show] how much fun you’re having!” Ferriss goes on to say that the best revenge is letting haters continue to live with their own resentment and anger, which most of the time has nothing to do with you in particular. “If a vessel contains acid and you pour some on an object, it’s still the vessel that sustains the most damage,” Ferriss says. “Don’t get angry, don’t get even — focus on living well and that will eat at them more than anything you can do.”

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7. Keep calm and carry on.

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The slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On” was originally produced by the British government during the Second World War as a propaganda message to comfort people in the face of Nazi invasion. Ferriss takes the message and applies it to today’s world. “Focus on impact, not approval. If you believe you can change the world, which I hope you do, do what you believe is right and expect resistance and expect attackers,” Ferriss concludes. “Keep calm and carry on!”

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To The Success You Deserve!

John Adams (501) 606-9688
johnadamsglobal@gmail.com

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Doesn’t it seem like we just have more and more to do and we can never get it all done?  I swear, there are days I feel like this person!

Here’s a great, short quote from a recent book that might help lighten your load!

Tony Dungy’s Playbook: Do Less But Do It Better

Inside Tony Dungy’s head, the words of his former coach Chuck Noll still echo. “When you’re not successful, when you’re struggling or having problems, do LESS, don’t do MORE.”

It seemed contrary to Dungy’s instinct to work longer hours and take on more projects to be successful, but this was an important reminder for the former Indianapolis Colts head coach to focus on the basics. “Whenever we weren’t playing well at the Steelers, he always looked at cutting back so we could concentrate on the basics, on the fundamentals,” contributing editor Don Yaeger wrote. “Your human nature tells you that you have to look at one more film, add one new play. But that’s not the answer. Just doing what we do a little bit better is the answer.”

From his autobiography, Quiet Strength (Tyndale House Publishers, 2007) Dungy shares his game plan for life:

• Have hope for here and hereafter. “When a game ends, win or lose, it’s time to prepare for the next one.”

• It’s the journey that matters. “Learning is more important than the test.”

• Use faith to encourage and lift people up. “It’s about the lives we touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better.”

My mission for 2011 is Efficient Execution.  No, I’m not executing people, I’m executing my business plan.  If you want to see how my team and myself are doing more with less, subscribe to my newsletter!

To The Success You Deserve!

John Adams (501) 606-9688
johnadamsglobal@gmail.com

Click Here To Join Me on Facebook
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Wanna Work With The Dream Team?

Want To Get Updates Like These Each Day? Put Your Name & Email Address In The Top Right Box Of My Site.

I have to admit that when I first started using Facebook for my different businesses, I didn’t get it at all.  I completely defied what I had been using Facebook for in my personal life, and although I made a lot of connections, I don’t think I was able to use it to it’s maximum efficiency.

You see…I was thinking only about me and being selfish!

I was trying to create a message to tell the world when what I should have been doing was making connections and listening to other people.  In this interview, social media expert Mari Smith talks about the RIGHT way to do social media, especially Facebook.

This is an intro to Mari…

Here is her amazing interview from Success Magazine.  Listen and you shall reap the benefits of many happy relationships in your social media campaigns!





Let’s face it, if we aren’t in business to create long term, value added relationships, we should probably find something else to do.  The greatest benefit I have ever gotten from any of the businesses I have run is the long term relationships I have created.  Take all the money, the things, and the success, I will take the relationships any day of the week!

To The Success You Deserve!

John Adams (501) 606-9688
johnadamsglobal@gmail.com

Click Here To Join Me on Facebook
Click Here To Join Me on Twitter
Wanna Work With The Dream Team?

Want To Get Updates Like These Each Day? Put Your Name & Email Address In The Top Right Box Of My Site.