I Don't Know, CAN YOU Do This?

I get this question all the time… Dave, can I do this? And my response is always the same, “Do you think you can?” But in reality, there is more to it and that’s what we are going to be talking about … Can you do this?
First, let’s talk about what “this” is. “This” is anything you are not sure you can do. It doesn’t matter what “this” is because the answer to “can I do this” is going to be the same.

1. Believe: The first thing you have to do is believe that you can do it. If you don’t believe you can do it, your mind won’t allow you to do it. Take a moment, put all fears aside and envision in your mind what your world will look like when you do your “this.”

See yourself doing it, see yourself doing it successfully, and finally know you can do it.

If you’ve ever read, Think And Grow Rich, one of the great success books of our time, you know that the book talks about a ‘secret’ that is not divulged in the book. However, it does become obvious while reading the book.

That secret is: ‘if you believe, you can achieve.’

Remember that little ol’ ant, who thought he could move that rubber tree plant…

2. Decide: The next thing you need to do is make a decision that you are going to do it. So many people remain indecisive in their lives, and they never get anything done that they really want to be done.

They put off the decision-making process until the time is right and, often times, when the time is right, the opportunity is gone. Do you think this might be preplanned within their subconscious mind?

Make a decision. Is “this” something you want now? If it is, then you need to take the next step now!

3. Action: The next step is taking action. It doesn’t matter how big or small the action, you just need to take an action. You see, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve thought about something or how much knowledge or skill you have gained. If you do not take action, you’re going to fall on the wayside with all the other hopeless dreamers who go through life repeating the words… I should have… I could have.

And, you can’t just take one action. You must take multiple actions. Of course, your first action is most important because when you take it you are actually progressing to your goal. But then you want to take a little more action every day. That little action everyday is going to result in some pretty big accomplishments and you will get your “this.”

4. Plan: Planning is the next step. To get “this” you must think about how you are going to get it. Are you going to create a system? Are you going to follow someone else’s system?

What actions and what results from those actions do you need to take everyday to get to “this.”

Your plan could be a business plan or it could be steps written on a napkin in a moment of inspiration and clarity. Whatever it is, you need to take some time and plan the action steps that are going to get you to your “this.”

Creating this plan is a form of action.

5. Focus: Once you have decided that you are going to do “this” and you’ve taken action by creating a plan, then it’s time to focus. Focus everyday on what you plan to accomplish. Think about it as often as you can. The decisions you make from now until you reach “this” should have one common theme: will this decision get me closer to “this.”

Once you have decided what you’re going to do, you are probably going to tell a few people since “this” is now constantly on your mind and impacts every decision you make. Once people know, you may find them telling you that you can’t do it, or that they know someone who tried but failed, etc.

Do not listen to negative people. Period. Don’t even allow them in your life. Once people start talking negative to you about what you are planning to accomplish, give pity to them. They are not of right mind. At the same time, close your mind because these people are dream stealers. Do not allow them to influence you and steal your dream. YOU CAN DO “THIS” if you and only you believe.

6. Train: Chances are, you will get to “this” if you get some sort of additional training. Training not only gets you to “this” faster but you also end up with a better quality “this.”

If you have the mindset of “forever a student,” you will go very far with your “this.” I’ve been running businesses for more than twenty one years now but I’m still reading books; still attending lectures and; still taking three to five days out of my life to meet with like-minded people who share a common goal with me… learning new and better ways to do our “this.”

7. Discipline: Getting to “this” is going to require discipline. It’s going to require focus and action every single day. It doesn’t matter how big the action but some sort of action needs to take place to get there. This requires discipline.

We all lead busy lives. We all have a million things going on. We all have five or ten reasons why we can’t do what we really need and want to do to get to our “this.” As soon as you find yourself rationalizing, change that thought process. If you don't, you will never get to “this.”

Changing your thought process takes time. You see, when you rationalize, you are actually taking the easy way out because your mind naturally gravitates to what is easier. Like water flowing, it will always take the path of least resistance.

You need to practice resisting. The more you resist, the better you will get at it. The best part is, after you get through the discomfort of resisting, and accomplish what it is you needed to get done, you will feel GREAT! Enjoy the reward.

8. Get Back Up: There is an old Japanese saying “Fall down six times, get up seven.” You are not perfect. You are doing something different. You are not always going to be doing what you are supposed to be doing. I am here to tell you right now, it’s OK!

It’s OK to have little failures as long as you always get back on that horse and get going again. You actually only fail when you when you stop trying.

So fail, get back up, fail again, get back up, fail again, get back up... and you will get to “this.”

9. Mentor: Get a mentor. The fastest way to get to “this” is to be mentored by someone who has already gotten “this.”

Mentors come in all shapes and sizes and, can be found right in your back yard or across the globe. Wherever this person may be who has done what you want to accomplish-- follow that leader.

Some mentors work one-on-one with you. Other mentors, you never meet but read and listen to everything you can get your hands on. I have had both kinds (most successful people have both types of mentors).