I have committed a significant amount of time studying what many people refer to as the “Science of Achievement.” This is the idea that achievement is a formulaic process that can be learned, practiced, and repeated.
With all of the information, “experts,” and theories out there today, it’s easy to get confused and overwhelmed with information. It’s also easy to buy into the idea of “hacks” and quick fixes that promise achievement. This is a slippery slope that often only reinforces the “I can’t do this” mindset that holds us back.
Based on hours of reading, listening, studying, and experimenting, I’ve distilled all of the theories down to the core progression that anyone can, and will, go through on the path to achievement. Now, I will have you consider that, whether it be in sports, life, or business, there is a consistent progression that you must recognize, and work through, to achieve what you want.
The reality is that achievement comes from a series of evolutions that lead you to your desired outcomes. If you can learn the “formula,” anticipate the obstacles, and have a clear understanding of the process you will find that achieving you desired outcomes is a learned skill that you can apply and repeat at will.
Disruption & Newton’s Laws of Motion (Change your state):
Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion is that, “An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an (unbalanced) force.” In other words, objects (people) tend to “keep on doing what they’re doing” (unless acted upon by an outside force).
The first step in the Achievement Progression is disruption. We are going along with our normal patterns, and then there is disruption. It could be a date (New Year’s). Or, it could be an event (heart attack). Or, it could be a person (speaker, coach, etc.). Whatever, the “force” is, there is a disruption that forces us to look at our world view and self view differently and is the opportunity for change.
Ask New Questions (Change your story):
Disruption leads to re-examination and provides momentum (relative to the “force” applied) to ask new questions and to explore new theories. Is this all that I am capable of? What do I really want? How can I achieve _____? Quite simply, better questions change your focus, and your focus drives your actions. Along with asking better questions and gaining clarity on what you want, you have to address the “why.” What are your reasons for achievement? What are your limiting beliefs? What are the emotions that direct your current and desired behavior?
As you are asking, and answering, these new questions you see new possibilities. You catch a glimpse of what you are capable of, and what you aspire to. You see opportunity. You feel desire. You get out of “what is” and look at things from a perspective of “what could be. This is exciting, and motivating, but is simply a glimpse because you do not, yet, have the mindsets and skillsets necessary to create that possibility. But, once you start asking the questions, and seeing the possibilities, the next progression is…
System for Success (Change your strategy):
Here is where most people get lost. You realize a disruption, you ask new questions, and you might even have the desire – but you don’t have an execution strategy. Without a plan that you are committed to, the disruption and new perspective will seems too difficult and complicated and you will choose to revert back to old thoughts, patterns, and behaviors. This becomes the frustration loop that most people get caught in – disrupt, hope, revert…repeat.
This is the time that proven strategies and tactics are critical. This is where you create your system for success. I will have you consider that the three key components to your system for success are Association, Action Plans, and Accountability. Find a group of people who operate in a manner that you want to operate in, create clear action plans, and have measurable milestones that you are accountable for.
Take Massive Action – Execute:
At the end of the day, achievement is about growing your mindsets and skillsets. It’s about looking at where you are today, and growing into the person that you desire to become. You have the choice to constantly chase – but be a step behind – your goals, or to grow into the person who is able to catch them. It’s not about what is available to you today, it’s about you growing into someone who is capable of seizing what you want. This takes hard work, commitment, and grit…but only happens when that massive action is preceded by a proper perspective and productive systems.
Outcomes & Reset – Achievement and Failures:
We have become a society that does not acknowledge the importance of measuring outcomes to a win or a loss. We are in the “everybody wins” generation, and I will have you consider that if we can’t set, measure, and control outcomes to a win or loss, we will lose interest in playing the game. I will also have you consider that a “loss” is just as valuable as a “win” in the journey to success. We gain confidence and clarity from a win, and we gain knowledge and experience from a loss. The point is, there has to be a clear measure that we work toward and a point where we re-assess, re-set, and celebrate a win or diagnose a loss – but both create growth and allow us to reset the progression cycle.
This is the Success Progression. It is simple, but it is not easy. Too often we get caught in the “loop” of disruption, questioning, seeing new possibilities, and…then quitting and reverting back to “comfortable” because we don’t have the associations, action plans, and accountability to take massive action and work toward a win. We get shaken, react, and then retreat.
But, there is a better way, and it is dependent on a clear strategy, a strong purpose, and the correct associations, action plans, and accountabilities. It is dependent on creating a game that you are willing to play through to the end. It works if you are willing to do the work.
This is not my theory but, instead, is a clear, distilled-down, template of all of the achievement theory that has been taught and practiced for years. Now, the question is are you the person who will continue to theorize, consume, and hope for success through osmosis of information? Or, are you the person who will commit, take massive action, and follow a proven method for success? The choice is yours.
GRIT 