Success Notebook
I keep a list that I call a Success Notebook. This post contains 12 ideas of the hundreds that I have collected from various sources. My goal is to read through my Success Notebook at the start of each day so that I am using them to coach myself into having the type of attitude and mindset that I want to have.
When things get busy, I don’t always read them to start the day. I am positive that when I don’t, I am not as prepared for the day as I would like to be.
This is not in any order and is not my entire success notebook, but I hope this might help you to add to or start your own success notebook. If you would like to share any to add to this post, feel free to leave a comment at the end of my list!
Life is short and I want to enjoy it while I can. I strive to live my life and plan my activities around the values of peace of mind and quality of life. At the beginning of each day, Stephen Jobs asked himself “If today were the last day of my life, would I do what I am about to do today?” If his answer were “no” for too many days in a row, he knew he needed to change something.
I maintain an exceedingly high level of concentration and intense focus on my work. (Bill Walsh–The Score Takes Care of Itself). Studies have shown that one can accomplish more in an hour of uninterrupted time and that switching from task to task can lose up to 40% efficiency. I carve out blocks of time in my schedule to stay focused on my most important project. If I can concentrate on a topic for 90 seconds, I begin to develop ways to move that topic forward.
I have never seen a greater time waster than people pleasing. (Time Warrior: How to Defeat Procrastination by Steve Chandler) I make and live in my own reality so that I do not fall victim to the whims of others.
I accept responsibility for everything in my life. I do not blame others or make excuses when things do not go the way I want them to go.
The road to success almost always goes through failure. One of the most important traits of successful people is how they respond to failure and temporary setbacks. Napolean Hill believed that “Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure.” People who are afraid to fail keep themselves from succeeding because the fear of failure keeps them from trying new things.
Don’t let weak people bring out weakness in me. (Don Meyer)
I will believe in myself. I will question any belief that enters my mind that limits me in any way. I will not sabotage myself and my dreams by allowing limiting beliefs to occupy my thoughts. The most important time to maintain that belief is when things are not going well.
Every day I am fearlessly, relentlessly, aggressively, confidently, and expediently, pursuing my goals. Robert Heinlein said “In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia.” I constantly think about and visualize my goals.
Success likes speed. I plan my actions, but then I act quickly and decisively. If all obstacles need to be removed before someone begins anything, no one would ever begin anything new. I push myself to get started on new projects. Getting started is often difficult, but once the project is in motion, momentum builds as I move forward. The world doesn’t reward perfectionism, it rewards people who get things done.
I am mentally tough. The most important times to be mentally tough is when things are not going well. Anyone can be tough when things are going well. My definition of mental toughness is controlling my thoughts and maintaining a focus on what is going to make my life better in a calm and poised way.
I talk to myself rather than listen to myself (John Maxwell) He believes that we should be talking to ourselves rather than listening to ourselves. Listening is passive and talking is active. When we are listening to ourselves, uninvited thoughts come into our minds and start talking to us. Unfortunately we listen to them rather than talking to them.”
The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. (Linus Pauling)
What is in your Success Notebook?