I can’t remember where I first heard this but I remember clinging onto it almost 15 years ago. It thrust my thoughts and my resulting actions into more consideration and contemplation.
As I was getting started in college, it’s a mindset that helped me create habits that put me in a position to succeed; with school, with design and business, and with football.
It was the daily habits and mindset of considering how my decisions today impact my future.
I was able to go from walking onto a Division 2 football program my freshman year, to leading the nation in scoring for most of my senior season. I ended the year in 4th place with 21 touchdowns, but only had 106 touches.
In addition to that, I started my own freelance business, VERBS with my brother, and many other things that helped build the foundation of my entire career.
Flash forward to the past few years and it’s been easy to go in and out of a state of focus. To take it seriously and brush it off based on how I feel in the moment.
For industries like investments, business, and real estate – it’s common for those that succeed to have the keen ability to put their emotions aside. Emotions in business is important, but being able to have poise and make a decision in spite of how you feel, that’s what makes it golden. Humans are programmed toward short-term pleasure and gratification. It’s why we get addicted to things when they’re harmful – even if we loathe them.
I was able to trace this rule down to none other than Warren Buffett. It’s no wonder he’s the most successful investor in the world. I won’t get into his eating habits, however, since his choice is McDonald’s on the way into the office.
In addition to Buffet, Ray Dalio is another investment mogul and founder of Bridgewater Associates – both are two great examples of steadfastness when it comes to emotional strain in the face of turmoil, pressure, and emotional roller coasters.
As this past December came, I decided to get a jump on my “resolutions” and start daily habits I knew would help me get to my long term goals.
By focusing on daily habits and thinking more about the long term value, I have been able to:
Tracked Food/Water Intake for 49 Days
Meditated for 45 Days
5 Minute Journaled for 29 Days
Slept 7 hours average per night
This resulted in:
Losing 24 Pounds
Feeling more clarity and focus
More Grateful and appreciative
Feel well-rested and eager to take on the day
After seeing the results, the clarity, and the focus from extending my mindset from present emotions, I’ve been encouraged about continuing the trend.
I’ve noticed that my mood is much more consistent, my days less hectic, and my mind more clear. I feel a sense of relief and accomplishment daily in that my thoughts are aligning with my actions.
In the past, this has been the opposite. Meaning that when I chose to eat poorly, sleep poorly, and failed to invest in my mental health, I felt sluggish. I felt a sense of angst against innocent things around me, while some unrelated circumstances made me doubt myself. I was more aggressive and irritable not because of people, places, or things around me, but because of what was in me.
I could feel myself not living up to my full potential. Not challenging myself because it’d become status quo to go with the flow.
This year, I’m out to redefine myself and re-adjust my course through more discipline, through more action, and through less mindless observation. There is a time for that – but it needs to be intentional.
Have you used or experimented with other thought or outcome-based frameworks? I’d love to hear your experience – feel free to reach out to me via email or Twitter!
I hope this was a helpful glimpse into the framework and you can give it a try to see how it transforms your actions.
