“Goals are just dreams with deadlines.”
A man named C. Northcote Parkinson once claimed that work expands to fill the time for its completion. While its human nature to procrastinate, there aren't enough people using deadlines to their advantage. Join author Martin Grunburg on this episode of Habits to Goals as he shares his strategies for accelerating productivity with deadlines.
When you don't understand how deadlines can help you, sometimes they can hurt you. Avoid thinking in terms of all or nothing and accept that there will be times that you will need an extension. Maintain perspective and persevere with accountability groups and realistic timelines to transform deadlines into a positive force to empower your life.
“There are no unreadable goals, just unreasonable deadlines.”
One of the great inspirations for Grunburg’s The Habit Factor is Dr. Stephen Covey’s classic, bestselling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. In this episode, Martin reviews some of the similarities and differences between the two works. (10:20).
If, by chance you haven't read Covey's masterpiece (do so!) and, in the meantime, here is a quick synopsis (12:45):
Martin then explains one of the reason The Habit Factor "had" to be written and how The Habit Factor "bookends" and complements The Seven Habits 11:52.
Later we discuss how the first three habits focus on the "self" and the next three habits focus on fostering inter-dependence and teamwork. Finally, the seventh habit, "Sharpen the saw" is about renewal and allows for never ending growth and the ability to continually cycle and master each habit.
Now, it's your turn! Are you being proactive? Are you beginning with the end in mind? Are you following the seven habits? And, are you tracking the core habits that will help you to achieve your goals?
Consider getting these books, studying and understanding better how habit and the seven habits can help to improve your life!
Enjoy!
“Everyone wants to improve the world, very few are willing to improve themselves.” Tweet This
Many people write-off self-help thinking that positive thinking just sets you up for disappointment later.
Zig Ziglar once put it brilliantly, "positive thinking won't allow you do everything, it only allows you to do everything better." For instance, positive thinking may not help you to dunk a basketball. But, it will make your efforts much improved.
The beauty is self-help isn't just about "positive thinking". First and foremost, it's an acknowledgment that the person responsible for their growth and development is themselves.
SELF HELP (at the proverbial end of the day) has been described as the only real help there is.
Self-help is also about accepting one's self as they are and then acknowledging ways they might improve. The pursuit of self-help assures a certain amount of humility.
“True nobility isn't about being better than others, it's about being better than you were before.” ~Wayne Dyer Tweet This
So, really, the beginning of all self improvement is an acknowledgement that you can be better and a belief that it's possible.
In this episode, Martin and I review his personal journey of self improvement (6:00) and then he discusses at least seven reasons why self-help doesn't suck (11:10).
He then reviews some top-of-mind favorite self-help books and authors. (26:00).
“Let everyone sweep in the front of his own door and the world shall be clean.” Tweet This
Who hasn't felt STUCK before?
The good news is, it's common and something everyone is likely to experience at some point. The bad news is, it's an uncomfortable awareness that you've lost momentum and enthusiasm is gone.
That no matter what you try to do, nothing seems to move you or your career forward? Hence, you are STUCK.
And, when you’re stuck, it's important to know that it's not just an emotional but also a physiological state. Sometimes it even makes us feel alone or isolated.
“Motion creates emotion.” ~Tony Robbins Tweet This
To help you form some habits that will ultimately propel you forward, Martin and I review these eight tips to become UNSTUCK (time):
By tracking even your smallest, recurring behaviors (habits) that move your toward your goal, you build immediate momentum! Reaffirming exactly why the Free Habit Building-Tracking template is so popular and why the app works so well for so many people ; ).
Finally, at the end of the episode, Martin extends a gift for anyone who may be feeling stuck. So, check out the show and share a review please. Thank you.
Enjoy!