Every month for the last five years, I have been posting my yearly goals and the progress (or lack thereof) that I have made. It’s been an outstanding way of holding myself accountable to the goals set at the beginning of each year and has served as an excellent source of motivation for me as well.
Oddly enough, these posts — which were originally written with only myself in mind — have become some of the most popular things that I write on this blog. Readers follow my progress religiously, and I receive more emails and comments regarding these posts than almost any other.
Readers offer my encouragement. Sometimes, offer to assist with completing a goal. They express disbelief in the number of things I manage to accomplish in a month or a year — even though I fail to complete one-third to one-half of my goals each year.
They claim to find great inspiration in my progress.
I cherish these unexpected words of support and encouragement from people whom I’ve never met.
But I want to be exceptionally clear:
Any of the success that I’ve had has come through hard work and intense focus. If I am talented, my talent is marginal at best. I work hard. My mind is active at all times. I remain focused on the things I want to accomplish.
In reading the emails I receive, I sometimes worry that people think I’m different, special, gifted, or am blessed with greater energy than most. None of this is the case. The only gifts that I possess are tenacity and drive, and these are available to anyone who wants them. Anyone willing to work hard. Anyone willing to relentlessly pursue their goals.
There are many ways that I manage to achieve my goals. None of them is especially insightful or even original. But when applied rigorously and consistently, they work. You can read about some of my productivity tips on this blog, but a few big ones:
- I watch very little television.
- I create routines, habits, and systems in my life to maximize my time.
- I’m hyper-organized, which substantially increases my productivity.
- I’m a non-materialistic minimalist, and as such, things (or the need for things) do not get in my way.
- I exercise daily, which increases my energy level and allows me to work better and longer.
- I love what I do. I have chosen work that I am deeply passionate about.
- I enjoy the support of a remarkable wife and a group of incredibly accomplished friends.
With the exception of the last bullet, we are all capable of making these things happen in our lives today. None of them is exactly groundbreaking. None of them hasn’t been said before.
I say all this because I don’t want anyone reading these posts about my yearly progress to think that I am special, talented, or gifted. I am none of these things. I am simply determined as hell to achieve my goals.
Anyone could achieve the same level of success as I did. A great many people accomplish goals much greater than mine.
Please don’t ever think that success is beyond your capability. My belief in the capacity of human beings is immense. If I can do it, anyone can, and it can probably be done better.
