This isn’t a big book, but it packs a powerful punch. Heidi Grant Halvorson simply sets out the 9 things that successful do differently, and not only explains what they are, but also why they work. The 9 things are:
- Get specific. Setting goals that are specific in what you want to achieve and when, are more likely to be achieved. This also includes looking at the obstacles that are in the way
- Seize the moment to act on your goals. Learn how to deal with distractions, using if.. then.
- Know exactly how far you have left to go. Research suggests that people either look at how far they’ve come, or how far they have left to go, but those who look forward are shown to be more successful.
- Be a realistic optimist. Not only do you have to believe you will succeed, you have to make success happen, through effort, planning and persistence.
- Focus on getting better, then getting good. You can change to make better choices and reach your potential.
- Have grit. “The willingness to commit to long term goals and persist in the face of difficulty”
- Build willpower muscle. The goals we tend to struggle with most involve resisting temptation of some sort.
- Don’t tempt fate. If your goal involves willpower, then don’t tempt fate by trying to do too much.
- Focus on what you will go, not what you want. Reframe a goal that involves stopping something and turn it into a starting something.
I loved this book, because it was not only a quick read, but it was very readable too. The language was accessible, and it just made sense. It was very easy to see why certain things worked, and what tweaks you need to do to become more successful in the future.
My favourite quote:
Being successful isn’t about winning the DNA lottery, it’s about reaching goals.
Take care for now
Karen x