What You Focus On

Have you noticed that the more you focus on a problem or mistake the more you repeat it?

That’s because your focus determines your output. 

What you focus your energy on is what you’ll produce. 

In other words, your behavior follows your mindset.

If you’re focused on not doing a particular thing, chances are you’re setting the stage for it to happen again. And again. And again. 

While taking things seriously and holding the line is important, so is focusing on the right things. 

Don't waste time and energy dwelling on the negative. Focus intently on the positive instead. 

There is a positive side to every problem you encounter. Focus on it. 

It is always better to be for something positive, than against something negative. 

Discipline your mind to think in this way. Discipline it to focus in the right direction. 

Change your thinking, and you’ll change your life. But as with everything else, that’s going to require discipline. 

What I Learned Listening to Tim Ferriss Interview Derek Sivers

I listen to the Tim Ferriss Show from time to time. I find Tim’s interviews compelling and his questions insightful. I’ve usually got a page or two covered with quotes and notes, after each episode. 

Tim interviewed Derek Sivers a while back, and it’s stuck with me. Remixes and different takes on the wisdom Derek shared spring forth from the stew of ideas swirling around my mind regularly. 

I’d like to share a few of them with you here today. Below you’ll find some of my biggest takeaways from their conversation. 

• What you know doesn’t mean squat, it’s what you do consistently that matters. You must act.
• Expect disaster.
• Be expensive.
• Think slow and deliberate.
• Think long-term. You can do everything you want. You just need foresight and patience.
• If you feel anything less than "Hell yes!" just say, "No." Otherwise, you’ll say "Yes" to many lesser things.
• Busy is out of control. Lack of time is a lack of priorities.

Give their conversation a listen if you’d like some context to go with these quotes. I've linked to it below. There’s no telling what great idea it might spark down the road. 

 Derek Sivers on Developing Confidence, Finding Happiness and Saying “No” to Millions

Success Is Often Found On The Other Side of Drudgery

I’m not sure why inspiration waxes and wanes like the ocean tide. It just does. At least that's been my experience. There isn’t a big ‘a-ha!’ every time I sit down to work. Sometimes work is inspired play, it comes easy and fills my heart with joy. Other times it’s a battle of perseverance, that has me barely hanging on. 

But, I charge on, and so should you. All things worthy of our aim require great effort. We're going to have to roll up our sleeves and get things done the old fashioned way. 

We have to push through dry spells until at last inspiration strikes and work becomes play once more. We must soldier on, showing up each day. 

I wish I had something more uplifting and encouraging for you today, but this is all I have. A message to hang in there, and trust the process. 

It’s a lifetime thing becoming the painter, photographer, writer or whatever you want to be. “Nothing else matters,” Steven Pressfield said, “except sitting down every day and trying.” 

Go to bed a little earlier tonight, set your alarm across the room and get up tomorrow, ready to hone your craft once more and try. That’s all you can ask of yourself. 

Two Types of Discipline

There are two types of discipline. 

The first is imposed discipline. This is where the habits and practices of discipline are forced upon you. The military is particularly skilled at this. They tell you what to do, how to do it and when. They set high standards and expect you to meet them, and doll out punishment when you don’t.

The second is self-discipline. You hold yourself to high standards and force yourself to meet them. You don’t need anyone looking over your shoulder, or screaming in your ear, you just get things done. 

Imposed discipline will only get you so far. 

To truly get things done and accomplish your dreams, you’re going to need self-discipline. You’re going to need the will and determination to push through hard times. You’re going to need the strength to face your fears and overcome them. You’re going to need the discipline to hold the line and stay the course when you don’t feel like it. 

Cultivate self-discipline. It’s the best and truest form of discipline and the best path to achieving your goals. 

The Scariest Moment

You know that thing you need to do? That thing that scares you? That thing that everything within you dreads doing?

That thing is only scary and fills you with fear because you haven’t jumped in. You haven’t started yet. 

“The scariest moment,” King said, “is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.”

Most of the things we dread don’t turn out as terrible when we get up close and personal with them. Once you overcome your fear and begin things only improve. 

So hear’s to getting started. To rolling up your sleeves and taking the first step. That's the hardest part. It's all down hill after that.

On the other side of that first step is the freedom that comes from beating fear. The freedom that comes from engaging discipline and doing things inspite of fear.