Do you have a formula you can use that will guarantee you succeed at anything you want to accomplish?
Let’s say you want to … get your dream job, be promoted at work, start a new company, grow your business, or launch a new idea, do you have a plan that you know you can put into action, and if you follow through with it, you will absolutely accomplish what you want?
Well, even if you do have one, I have a formula you are probably going to be really interested in if you are looking to accomplish anything.
The general assumption is that as long as you do everything right, you have a positive mindset, you come up with some really good strategies, put in the time and effort, at some point it will all pay off and you will accomplish whatever it is you wanted.
Although it seems like a pretty fair expectation, we all know that isn’t how it always works.
I know I definitely have had things that have not come together despite the fact that I have put a lot of energy and effort into them and at the time really felt as if I was doing everything right.
So, what is that about? What went wrong? There has to be a way to guarantee success.
Well, believe it or not, there is actually a way to make success extremely likely. I mean really, really, really likely … but in order to do so you have to follow 8 principles.
And, TODAY is the day to start applying these 8 principles to anything you are currently working to accomplish or anything you want to accomplish, but haven’t gotten serious enough about.
As you may know this blog is all about the Possibility of Today and doing the things we can do TODAY, and know that if we do them, we will be propelled forward in the right direction.
That is why it is time TODAY to complete an 8 Principle Check and Balance and really set yourself up to take a quantum leap forward with respect to anything you want to accomplish.
There are only 8 principles, but you have to follow all 8 of them to the tee in order to succeed at anything. Not only do you have to understand them, you also have to know how to really integrate them into what you are doing. The 8 Principle Check and Balance helps you make sure that what you are doing is in line with all 8 Principles you must follow.
Even if you already have a plan and positive momentum, you should do this check and balance. The best plans can and should always be tweaked and fine tuned.
And, if you are one of those people that just hasn’t been serious enough and gotten your act together to go for what you really want and are capable of … you are really in need of an 8 Principle Check and Balance. You need a plan and it’s time to focus on making things happen.
Take a look at the 8 Success Principles below, figure out what you are already doing really well, what you can do better and what perhaps you are missing.
Then write it all down. Get it down on paper so that you can make sure going forward you are living up to and following all 8 principles.
Be willing to make any changes so that whatever you are doing or however you view things falls perfectly in line with these 8 principles.
8 success principles check and balance list:
1. You must have the right attention. You need to make whatever it is you are trying to accomplish a top priority.
- How can you rearrange things so that what you are trying to accomplish is your main focus and what you spend a significant amount of time on?
- What can you do to make sure you continually stay focused? Do you need to change your schedule? Do you need to stop focusing on unrelated things? Do you need to get rid of some of your other commitments?
2. You must be disciplined and always dedicating the right amount of effort. You need to be working hard, but never going overboard. There is a delicate balance you must strike and a perfect effort equilibrium.
- Determine what that perfect amount of effort is for you. How many hours should you be working on average each day?
- How will you make sure you are unplugging and relaxing enough, but not too much?
3. You must always have the right understanding about everything you are doing and continually search for any lessons.
- How will you make it a part of your routine to continually be looking for the lessons? Will you review at the end of every week what went well and what could have gone better?
- Always remember there is always a lesson for future success somewhere within every obstacle or issue that may arise. Never get frustrated if things don’t go as planned and immediately start looking for what you can takeaway from the situation.
4. You must always do the right thing. You have to always do what you know deep down is right. Don’t justify bad decisions. No cutting corners or thinking you can slip through loopholes.
- Think about all aspects of what you are trying to do and then think through what your highest and best decision is. Do you need to change how you are doing anything?
- If you have already made a bad decision and you know it, change it ASAP (i.e. don’t make the wrong decisions because it will cost you less, suck it up and pay more, it will benefit you way more in the long run).
5. You must have the right purpose and reasons for doing something. Now this is a more challenging one to fix. You either have a good purpose for whatever it is you want or you don’t.
- Is at least part of your motivation to be successful so that you can provide benefits to other people? (i.e. maybe you want your business to be successful so you can support your family and employees; maybe you want to help other people learn and succeed).
- Always aim to give greater value than you receive.
- If you figure out that you don’t really have a good purpose for whatever it is you want, you should pause until you do or until you figure out something better to do where you have the right purpose.
6. You must be kind with your words. Be kind and polite. Never snap and don’t be harsh. Anything that comes out of your mouth counts.
- How are you going to always keep it top of mind to be kind with your words? When you are frustrated, are you going to stop yourself and take a deep breath before responding? You need a plan of action so that you don’t just react and say things without thinking about them.
- This principle applies across the board, not just to whatever you are trying to accomplish. You need to make certain you are applying this principle to all aspects of your life (i.e. you can’t be a jerk at home).
7. You must choose the right thing to pursue. Make sure that whatever it is you want to pursue will not cause harm to other people.
- Don’t get into the wrong type of business.
- Don’t go after the wrong type of things where the definition of success would mean that you are winning, but a lot of other people are losing.
- Is there anything that is even arguably suspect about what you want? If so, what can you do to tweak it so that it is not? If there is nothing you can do, then find something else to pursue.
8. You must have the right mindset and thoughts. You must have great thoughts about your ability to succeed and really believe in whatever it is you are doing.
- How are you going to boost your confidence every day? What are you specifically going to do?
- What’s your plan for chipping away at any limiting beliefs or fears?
- Anytime you detect any negativity or fears rising in your mind how are you going to work through it?
Don’t let another day go by. Complete your 8 Principle Check and Balance. Take the time TODAY to really set yourself up to accomplish what you want.
I also have a workbook that will really walk you through these 8 principles and help you develop and refine your plan. This workbook is free for people who sign up for free updates from The Possibility of Today. To get the workbook, just enter your email address below (don’t worry if you have already signed up, you won’t be double-subscribed, you’ll just get access to the workbook).
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Live Today Better than Yesterday.
If you have any questions or comments, let me know. Send me an e-mail, hit me up on Twitter or leave a comment below.
The word I heard here Sibyl is ‘right’. Do what’s right both for ourselves and in general as a moral and standard. If we never steer for from that, despite the temptations, wild voices, and testing ground, we simply have to arrive in a better place. The destination IS the journey so let’s do it right, right?
Totally agree John. The destination is definitely the journey. Such an important point. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Sibyl,
This is wonderful! I’m thinking it would be a great exercise to write it in calligraphy so I can actually absorb every word of it!!! What a lot of thought you must have put into this! I’m still thinking about how you went for 40 days without complaining LOL
I’ve got some catching up to do!
Lori
Hey Lori: Thanks for dropping by and thanks for the kind words about the post. Always appreciated and hope you will be joining us on the upcoming complaint free challenge
Hi Sibyl,
I confess to not being a “rules” fanatic. Your principles are fine & I agree with the overall concept however I find that they tend to breed more “rules” & ultimately frustration(in trying to meet all the rules). Having a ‘fail safe’ attitude & the “will” to do things I believe is a great start. Most of the key ingredients tend to fall in to place automatically after that.
be good to yourself
David
Thanks for the comment David. I really appreciate your perspective and get it that you aren’t a rules perspective. I definitely hear what you are saying because if you try too hard to follow rules, you can sometimes confine your ability to take risks and be creative. I think I was trying to look at these more as guiding principles to keep you pointed in the right direction. Thanks for always sharing your insights here. I really appreciate it.
Hi Sibyl,
keep up the good work, I’m sure there is value in what you are doing.
be good to yourself
David
Sibyl,
Your posts are always extremely informative and helpful! It seems like no matter what is going on in my life – your post holds the answer I need that day.
Thank you for all you do!
Thanks Angela. I really appreciate it and really appreciate you always reading them
Well Sibyl here I am after *8* straight days of working as an A/V Tech for an International Diabetes Convention (ADA).
Just finished up yesterday evening. One job assignment was the Sanofi booth. We insalled a good amount of video walls that competed with Lilly,Johnson and Johnson, etc. And so here today I find your *8* ‘Checks and Balances’.
#5 Being a *Team Player*
Having a good sense on comraderie and same purpose.
#6 Be kind with your words…I actually produced a good laugh yesterday when I got caught up in the energy of the major loadout and used the word (s..t)…totally out of character for me…reminded me though…after all I am a Stagehand!
#2 During our eight days of work the great amount of jokeing and laughter amongst us, mixed with the fast/slow pace, kept our work well lubed.
*9th day…day of rest. The hat you see that I am wearing is my old fishing hat.
Gorgeous photo of you Sibyl…I am compelled to take my hat off in your presence. Perhaps I can get my daughter (minor in Photography) to get a good pic of her dear old dad?
Thanks Sibyl!
Thanks Rand for the kind words about the photo. I appreciate it. I really think you nailed all the principles based on the examples you gave
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Wow, this is so good, I’m going to print it out and really sit down with it. As I am embarking on this new stage of my life, with some specific goals in mind, this checklist is just want I need! Thanks!
And I agree with the comment above–lovely photo.
Thanks Galen. You are so kind. I really appreciate it. I hope that you find the list helpful. I am actually working off of it right now on a project I am doing and as Baker mentioned above, things just feel better when you are moving with the flow. Let me know how it works for you. Thanks Galen.
WHen it comes to doing the right thing, we all have to think before we act. This may be necessary in hostile conditioning’s or just business transactions. As a business man, you never want to hurt your customer just for the sake of money. This is a NO NO. You must have a high level of integrity and teach yourself that, honesty is really the best policy. Never do the WRONG thing because YOU want to satisfy your selfish needs!
So true Jonathan. It is all about making certain you are always doing those things that you believe in and that are consistent with your own truth. Thanks so much for the comment.
Hello Sibyl
Great list here. I think all of them resonate well for me. I know that when I am on the right path such as following these checklists, that life seems to flow in a direction that fits in, like you mention with that core purpose. From there life feels more fulfilled.
It really is so true what you said. When you just are on the right path and flowing in the right direction, things just are so much more fulfilling. That really is a great point. Thanks for sharing it here Baker.
Thanks Sibyl for your awesome tips. They’re all really important. Being disciplined with the right amount of effort–I appreciate you adding the importance of balance/relaxation, and not doing too much. So important.
Hi Sibyl,
I loved your guide, thanks for sharing Sibyl 
This is an excellent guide my friend. I believe we can accomplish everything in life that we set our mind to. However, 80% of what is needed is internal like (overcoming our limiting beliefs, believe we can succeed, visualize, take inspired action, our attitude, becoming discplined, etc…) As the law says, “As within so without.”
Sibyl,
Thanks for providing all of these tips. They will be extemely useful as I plan a way to get off of the couch and get some things done. It’s just those dang on reality tv shows. They are such a time stealer.
You have outdone yourself with valid tips on how to accomplish whatever we dream of and I thank you for it. Great article!
So glad that you liked it frame. i hear you on the TV… pull yourself away
You can do it … I promise. Thanks so much for the comment and stopping by.
Thanks Sibyl for such wonderful points.
Thank you Sumant for dropping by. I am so glad that you liked the 8 Principles. Thanks for taking the time to comment and letting me know. It is always appreciated.
I entered my email address to receive the free “in-depth business plan workbook” but when I did that I got a message back stating that I was already subscribed. How then will I get a copy of the workbook?
Thanks!
-Kim