Choose Wisely

“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

What About Words?

You choose the words that you say to others and to yourself. What you say has tremendous influence over you. More than you may know. Your words are your words. And . . . your words impact your results.

Don’t be Shouldy

Saying that you “should” do something is an effective way to avoid committing. When using should, you are acknowledging that you should do something while also acknowledging that you aren’t doing it. Don’t have a “shouldy life”.

“Try” Another Word

Instead of saying that you should do something, why not change to “trying” to do something? What is the value of “trying” to do something? When trying to do something (vs. simply doing it), what result do you have to show for it? There is either, do or do not, there is no try.

“Try” Some Examples

Have you ever caught yourself saying one of these versus what you could say instead?

• “I’m trying to exercise” vs. “I am exercising”
• “I’m trying to save money” vs. “I am saving money”
• “I’m trying to make more sales calls” vs. “I’m making more sales calls”
• Have you “tried” to skydive?

Giving Yourself a Way Out

When making statements without a full commitment, you are giving yourself a way out. Trying is “failure with honor”. Because if you don’t succeed, you can always say, “well . . . at least I tried.”

The Magic of Full Commitment

There have been countless times when the resources I need arrive once I fully commit to a result that I “must” create. Most of the time, I have no idea how I will accomplish a fully committed result, but somehow those resources arrive. Maybe not 100% of the time, but nearly every time. And, honestly, when resources have not arrived, I reflect on how committed I really am.

What Have You Got?

What one or two actions should you do or have you simply been “trying” to do but have not fully committed to doing? Make a comment here (in the comments) with your full commitment and see what resources show up.

Create Support for Your Commitments

Fully committing to accomplishing big goals includes a combination of Discipline and Accountability. Learn more about an effective way to increase your discipline and accountability here.