“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
When faced with misfortune, most people are quick to lash out at others. Yet, high achievers know that it’s not laying blame that leads to success—it’s proudly taking ownership of every aspect of your life.
These 10 questions will empower you to rise in almost any situation, allowing you to reset your energy, prepare actionable plans, and advance with stronger resilience than ever before.
Understanding this has been one of the most profound turning points in my life. Incredible stories of Janine Shepherd and Jim Stovall prove that there’s a gift in every adversity … you just have to find it. While a challenging skill to master in the moment, dig deep and you’ll find a little comfort in even the most difficult hardship. Mastery of resilience is the foundation of the growth mindset and what keeps high performers focused when others give up.
Numerous studies, including this one from UC Berkeley, have shown that people who use a regular gratitude practice are happier. When you’re focused on positive energy, it shifts your focus from resentment and envy to abundance, improving everything from personal relationships to career success. If you’re new to gratitude, grab a copy of The 5 Minute Journal—it’s what I use personally and is truly lifechanging. Also, schedule a weekly calendar reminder to send good vibes—whether a message, phone call or email—to someone whose efforts and support you appreciate.
If you’re working a job you hate, or spending too much time helping someone else achieve their goals, perhaps it’s time you restored balance into the equation and thought about what you wanted. Readers of Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy might recall the greatest turning point in Sandy Gallagher’s career was when she realized her entire life had been about making someone else—her father—happy. As she transitioned toward forging her own path, Sandy found that she was not only happier and more fulfilled in her new career, she was able to positively impact far more people, too.
As Simon Sinek said, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” When you’re clear on why you do what you do, whether an individual or a company, it allows you to persist through adversity, attract a tribe of people excited in your mission, and remain constantly alert for resources that will help you on your journey—the ultimate pathway to finding your how.
In a world of instant gratification, buck the trend of demanding it now and, instead, proudly put in the work. This is a fundamental step emphasized repeatedly in Think and Grow Rich and the process of autosuggestion. With your most important goals, write down the specific actions you’ll take—the price you’re willing to pay—to make them a reality. You’ll find that the level of success you achieve is in direct proportion to the consistent effort you take.
Audit your time each day for one week so you can easily pinpoint where you’re knocked off course. (Even simple things such as deleting time-wasting apps, switching your phone to airplane mode for regular blocks, and removing clutter, can all make a massive difference to your daily productivity.) Next, look around your living and working environments. If they don’t motivate you to go the extra mile each day, make some changes. In my office, I have a huge print that says “ACTION: The difference between having and wanting” reminding me of the importance of sustained effort. Surround yourself with inspiration.
Your energy source is the most important part of your life and should be insulated from sabotage at all costs. Surround yourself with people who think positive, dream big, and align with your values—those demonstrated in the top-right corner of the Friendship-Success Quadrant (below). You’ll find your energy levels increase tenfold as a result. This is the power of the mastermind and the one attribute that has made the most significant difference in my own life. Once you’ve found the right people, use this to turbocharge your success.
Paradoxically, we often reserve our love and kindness for others, and then engage in negative self-talk when we’re alone—it’s certainly a weakness of mine. Rob Dyrdek introduced me to Dr George Pratt, the clinical psychologist and hypnotherapist who Rob credits as changing his life. George helped me to be more aware of negative self-talk and gave me some exercises that I now have scheduled in my calendar every week to keep focused, relaxed and happy. Here’s a short one you can try. Don’t just make time for your mental health, schedule it.
As part of human nature, and only enhanced in the digital age, we often massively overthink and overcomplicate situations. Sometimes, taking a step back and giving ourselves a mental reset to ponder “What would this look like if it were easy?” can be the quickest way to an acceptable solution, saving valuable time and energy in the process.
The end of the calendar year is a good reference point for how your life is progressing. If you’re unable to answer this question quickly, fill out the Success Plan (template). Feel the emotions of having already attained those 3-5 things, then make sure you’ve got a detailed plan—with regular action items scheduled—built into your weekly calendar so imagination becomes reality. High performers all have systems to optimize their success.
Through a calm demeanor and an inquisitive mind, the best way forward is always revealed. Remember, you are the only problem you will ever have and YOU are the only solution.
Take actions today that your future self will thank you for. After all, the right question could save your life.
Onwards and upwards always,
James W.
In case you missed it: ‘The One Number that Doesn’t Matter’
PS – Join my VIP newsletter AND get a free bonus from Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy (instant download).
“Be grateful for all that you have while you pursue all that you want.”
Jim Rohn
Well, that was quick!
The end of the year is an opportune time to honestly reflect on the year that was—think about the goals you achieved or didn’t even get around to setting, the people you met or didn’t meet, the work you did or didn’t do, the books you read or didn’t read, and the comfort zone you leapt out of or stayed within.
You get the point.
Constant calibration is a fundamental characteristic of extraordinary achievers. When you have your perfect destination in all areas of your life clearly defined, it’s much easier to review your actions to see exactly what you need to do more (or less) of to make 2019 the best year yet.
Stay focused and committed to starting the year strong. Before the end of December, make sure you’ve already got a:
Together, these things will have you excited to put in the work each day, attract people / resources into your life who can help you on your journey, and make you more resilient when adversity inevitably strikes. Most importantly, make sure your daily actions correspond with the brightest of your dreams.
For those who have recently joined, here’s a list of the most popular posts this year:
There’s a lot of practical tips in there that can be applied by anyone. All these newsletters are inspired by my firsthand interviews with more than 100 of the world’s most accomplished people and written to help you unlock your potential.
There will be some exciting announcements soon! For those who want more resources to help take your personal and professional results to the next level, there’ll be online courses, videos, and even an exclusive mastermind opportunity. Stay tuned for more info.
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Reflecting on the year that was, I appreciate all of you for so willingly sharing your thoughts and struggles with me via email, social media and at speaking events. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and look forward to helping you engage with your authentic self on a deeper level than you ever thought possible.
Contrary to what slick salespeople say, you ARE enough and everything you need to succeed is already within your possession. As Jim Stovall says, “Being successful is not a closed club. After all, you have the ability. So the question is not ‘can you’ but ‘will you’.”
Take action now. Your life depends on it.
Wishing you and yours every success and happiness this holiday season!
Onwards and upwards always,
James Whittaker
In case you missed it:
The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide
