Because it’s fun solving problems.
“Lack of motivation at work”.
Brainstorming for What Lies Within My Circle of Influence, regarding the busting of this rock:
1. self-hypnosis – to increase motivation at work
2. goal-setting in short time frames, to increase daily motivations
3. play the game of aiming to keep ”Things to Do” at a perfect zero
4. keep self-study notes at work – learning motivates me
5. focus on improving my own immediate work environment, systems & processes - as an INTJ, creating improvements motivates me.
Now we are already halfway through the book and the next thing we look at is belief systems. Heppell asks the reader to identify the things the reader believes are holding him back from achieving the brilliance in the three areas the reader earlier identified for himself. For me:
1. Brilliant Lawyer
(a) Lack of opportunities & challenges to prove myself.
(b) Insufficient knowledge in technical areas.
(c) Lack of motivation at work.
2. Brilliant Dad
(a) Time.
(b) Impatience.
(c) Lack of energy.
3. Brilliant Poet
(a) Lack of time.
(b) Lack of life experiences.
(c) Lack of inspiration & ideas.
Okay. That’s done. We move on to “rock-busting”. The Circle of Influence concept now enters the picture. Now we have to identify concrete actions, which can bust the top rock in each area.
“Here is your next task. Take some time to think and reflect on what you would like to be brilliant at … A word of warning – the level of passion, enthusiasm and the amount of work that you are going to require to be brilliant will mean that you need to narrow your list down to just two or three things at most.”
Shucks. Narrowing down to three is a tough one for me. I choose:
1. a brilliant lawyer
2. a brilliant dad
3. a brilliant poet
Heppell doesn’t believe in SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic in a Timescale) goals. This is somewhat unusual. He emphasises instead the 3 P’s in goals setting: the goal must be Personal, Positive and in the Present tense.
“When you create a goal in the present tense, your brain says `Ok, if that’s how things have to look, sound and feel,what do I have to do to make that happen now?” This is why a goal will happen so much faster if you set it in the present tense.”
Heppell outlines them as such:
1. Positive Action
2. Break out of Limiting Beliefs
3. Think Differently
4. Ability to Manage Stress
5. Taking Massive Action
Item No. 5 appeals to me. It is my weakness. I think too much and should simply take more action instead.
“Why aren’t you getting out there and doing things instead of just talking about it or watching others do it?”
