It is much more easier to convince other people to do things your way then to convince yourself to do the things that need to be done. Motivation interests me as a topic. Why people do the things they do? How come so many people don't act on the knowledge they already have?
What makes one person move mountains with sheer will while the other person just stares blankly at the opportunity lying at their feet? I think about these things not as something to teach or write about but as a practical manner. If I know more about my operating system - the better I operate what lies between my ears: the better off I would be getting what I want most out of my time.
So I am in the cleanup mode right now. Finishing up everything that needs to be wrapped up summer is officially over. Throwing out massive amounts of stuff that is done and over with. Deleting all the documents that were important during the first months of 2009 and now mean nothing. Making a list of people that need to be charmed in the last four months of 2009. And a list of people that turned out to be a disappointment in 2009 and do not require any more thought or attention from me. Stacking up the cookbooks that I don't use anymore for the recycle bin. Cleanup. Make room. Out with the old, IN with the new, being done with a sharp gleaming razor without mercy.
At the same time, there is this loud voice banging in my head, non-stop, about 2009. It is just one question really - What do I really want to accomplish in the last four months of 2009 and is everything I intend to do in 2009 is helping me move closer to it?
The destruction and havoc this one question is creating is painful. Three other business proposals for 2009 that I was very interested in four months ago now lie lifeless. Things change (in the world, in Michigan, in my life, new opportunities appear, some ideas go stale, some people start to bore me to death, a person with more hunger to succeed and get things done comes in my life) and all I can do with cold blooded mechanical efficiency - change with the times, pick what is working and take a knife to discard what is old news.
I started with a big list last year. Did hit majority of them - recession or no recession. Two big personal disappointments. Both of them got to do with me more than anything else. Sometimes looking in the mirror is ugly but necessary.
Another one big disappointment regarding a business deal that was on track to go on with somebody and just did not work out. That was probably my fault too.
Oh well!
For the remaining 2009 I just have three targets with red paint. All three worthy of complete and undivided attention. All resulting in excitement in getting up in the morning and climbing the mountain of self-doubt and procrastination and not just because the view from the top of the mountain is better (it is) but also the journey is almost as fun as reaching the peak.
One thing is to know what you would like to have, own, know, master in the coming four months before Ryan Seacrest drops the ball in NY. To make that list is a joyful task. Second is to know what stands in your way - fear of failure, own lack of confidence and knowledge, contacts that you don't have yet, self doubt, and people who are going to slow you down - this list of Things-To-Destroy is not as fun to make. But that is where all the money and profits are.
