Setting Up A Positive Cascade and Getting Stuff Done

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Monday marks the start of Birthday Week
Guess who won the lap swim lottery?

In response to my observation that I need to challenge myself to avoid sliding towards mediocrity, a friend asked, “where do I start?”

Ask yourself, “What one thing, if it happened, would change everything?“

Simplify all the BS and focus on your thing, first thing, daily, for a long time.

My last 20 years can be summarized as a series of “one things”

  • Get out of this town
  • Do the plan
  • Find more love
  • Be the brand
  • Stop Using (beer, anger, fear, self-pity, sugar, bread…)
  • Break The Chain
  • Get Up Early

You must keep it really simple – life will constantly throw stuff at you, while your habit energy pulls you towards your status quo.

The true cost of the status quo is hidden.

Bella had a substitute teacher for PE today

Choose wisely => pick a “one thing” that sets up a positive cascade when you get it done.

I’m going to get a lot done in June. Everything I accomplish will track back to my core goals:

  • wake up by 4am
  • don’t complain

Here’s how the positive cascade will work:

  • Up by 4am
  • Up… well, I might as well workout
  • Working out… well, I might as well do it right
  • Finished, showered, feeling good… What’s important now?
  • Home school the kids by executing the schedule
  • Looks dirty over there, mini-cleaning break

Within that work flow, I calendarize fixed blocks of time to meet my outside commitments.

My calendar (my life, really) is 100% transparent to my wife. I remind my kids to leave me alone immediately before I start.

I get interrupted a lot – just the way it is, don’t complain… don’t retaliate.

Amphitheater Loop, Boulder Mountain Park

So if you’re struggling then consider…

1/ Am I picking the right stuff? My ability to execute is much stronger when I’m doing stuff that matters to me. It takes uncommon honesty to own the fact that you’ve spent most your life trying to impress others.

2/ Keep it simple. Before you can put two people into orbit (Space X in the news this week), you must master in the basics. What might those be? Save some money, exercise daily, keep your house clean and always keep small promises to yourself.

Still having trouble?

Simplify, lower the bar and let compounding work in your favor.