What motivates you?  What motivates your family?  What motivates your employees and coworkers?

You might be surprised.

After watching the video, what changes to your personal plan will you make?  Do you see how you can get leverage on yourself? 

Post ideas in the comments below:

Those of you who have followed Tom Peters over the years know how much he’s contributed to the growth of excellence in businesses worldwide.    His book In Search of Excellence he co-authored with Robert Waterman is considered “the greatest business book of all time” by many and indispensable by most.

Well, Tom has a new book called The Little Big Things: 163 Ways to Pursue EXCELLENCE.  I am thrilled and honored Mr. Peters included of my essays as one of the ways to pursue excellence!   Mine is pursuit #50 starting on page 136 about how you have to show up to move up.  You can read my contribution by downloading the Acrobat pdf of it here (posted with permission):  Show Up! (It’s a Start.)

My copy of Little BIG Things arrived last week and it is indeed a BIG book – a whopping 576 pages in all.  But it isn’t the type of book you read cover-to-cover in one sitting.  All of the 163 pursuits are condensed nuggets of excellence building tips and strategies.  Pick one, read it, think about it and digest it.

There is a lot you can take out of just one of the tips.  If you employ all 163 you’ll be unstoppable!

Dear Brad,

My name is Dusan and I am living in Serbia.
My dream is to become IT professional in the field of network and web.
I am in college and I learn computer science.
My problem is that I learn only the basic of the programs, nothing advanced.
And when I read the blogs of IT I can not discuss because i know only the basic. And that’s killing me.
Can you help me?
What is the  programs that I must learn ADVANCED to become web guru.
Web Guru is my favorite word and I want to feel very good when said that.

You are right about college teaching only the basics.  But don’t be distressed.  College is a beginning where you get a taste of many different things.  From there you can decide what you like and dislike.  And then you can focus.

Computer science is a huge field with many different specialties.  Even within the term “Web guru” you have Web server expert, ASP.NET programmer, HTML programmer, CSS designer, Java programmer, Ajax expert, Ruby on rails…. and the list goes on.

It is good that you have a fairly specific goal and you are highly motivated to get there.  However, I think you need to get more specific.  So what I recommend is you spend 5 or more hours per week in self study and working examples in books.

You may find you like ASP.Net, or you might like PHP better, who knows until you dive in and work through some good books on the subject?

For instance, when I started programming heavily, it wasn’t due to college.  It was because I spent a year every night working examples in the book VB.NET How to Program by the Deitel brothers.  I loved it and had a blast doing it.  But it’s like a 1500 page book filled with problems.  So it took a long, long time.

I recommend you spend some time browsing Amazon for the higher rated web technology books.  Pick a title that seems interesting to you.  Ask if your school will loan you a copy.  Then (and this is most important) WORK through the book.  Don’t just read it.

Work problem 1 – 999 all the way through.

It might take you 6 months to get through a book completely.  Do at least 20 example problems or scenarios before you decide you want to try something else.  Because it often takes 20 scenario problems before the light clicks on and we say “ohhh I get it now!  I really like this!”

This type of advanced learning is hard for most people.  It takes discipline and focus.  But if you really want to be a guru, you’ll do it.

After you’ve done a few books, you’ll start to feel your expertise and will be motivated to show that experience.  You’ll build a site or a hot Ajax gadget.  That’s where your ‘guru’ reputation will come.  Through building something.

So to sum up.  Use your college as a buffet where you can taste many technologies.  Try to pinpoint 2-3 specific technologies you’d like to master.  Then do the hardcore book learning I describe above.  The rest should come naturally.

If you have a question about your personal goal, send a confidential note to Brad via his contact page.  It might be featured on Persistence Unlimited.

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” Abraham Lincoln

Did you know most people screw up the meaning of New Years resolutions?

What does resolution really mean?  A resolution means you have resolved to be different. Resolve is a powerful word. It’s not flighty, it’s not a change of mind, or a pathetic try to do something. Resolve means you are NOT going to do something ever again. Or you ARE going to do something whether it kills you.  Resolve is a firm decision to take actions so you’ll never have to live a certain way again.

Enslaved people resolve and then fight to be free.

Thus a resolution is two things – a passionate declaration and a fight for change.

In the case of resolving to quit a bad habit: resolving means you are fed up. You are not going to do the bad thing ever again.  To break a your resolve would require medieval torture.

If you resolved to quit smoking in 2009 but you are still smoking, you weren’t outraged enough.  It wasn’t a resolution, it was a goal with temporary motivation.

Resolve is more than a personal commitment, it implies you’ve already changed.

Women who RESOLVE to leave a relationship with an abuser take actions and follow through. They hire an attorney.  They ignore the pleas, threats and false words “I will change”.  And they leave – even if it literally kills them.  They fight the fight.  THAT is resolve.

They can take the risks and actions necessary because resolve means they are done. No matter what happens from here on out, they are done with that phase of their life.

Yes, a resolution involves brashness, courage, and fire.  It is a call to arms.

So a resolution to lose 50 pounds is nonsensical.  If you are resolved, fed up and not going to take it any more, shouldn’t it be “I am done weighing over X pounds – period – end of story!  Even if I have to chain up my refrigerator I’ll never weigh this much again.”  THAT is how resolve sounds.

But there is more than just sounding resolved.  You must make a plan against impending Bon Bons.  And you must fight.  And fight – even if it means for the rest of your life.

Resolve involves a passionate declaration AND steady action… forever.  You never hear of enslaved people casually walking away from their captors temporarily.   They make detailed plans and they act those plans until they are free.  To ask a former slave whether he’d willingly go back would prove you wise enough to buy the bridge I have for sale in Florida.

When we picture a new years resolution, we may see the fireworks, new years eve horns, and streamers. It can take the wind out of what a resolution really is – a fire of determination and the resulting action which will elevate you from one life situation to another.  But as smart people, we need to see beyond those colorful displays.

So when you set your new years resolution today, get fired up. Get angry. Get determined.

Today’s post was written by Dion Baker.  He is a writer for The Intangible Wealth and a respected song writer, poet, and visual artist.  And he also shares my love of ants.  – Brad

Today I went to the craft store with my wife to return some items we recently purchased. While she was being helped at the register, I decided to venture off into the store to see what else they had in stock. Not too far from the register, I saw several items on the clearance shelves. I perused through the shelves to see if there was anything of interest; not much. The mix of colorful ribbon and Spiderman bookmarks on sale didn’t quite hold my attention. I continued checking out the products to my right and guess what I found? A small pile of children’s books! As I walked toward the books there was a small book at the top titled, “The Ant and the Grasshopper”. Now, I’m excited…

So I picked up the book and started reading.

Here’s the synopsis of the story. There was the Grasshopper, the Ant, and other insects. It was the summertime and the Grasshopper was always being lazy, idle, and playful with his time. The weather was pleasant and he felt he should enjoy it, so he chose to be lazy and not work. But each time he saw another insect they weren’t being lazy, they were working. When he saw the Ant she was carrying food for the winter. He saw the Bee and he had yellow pollen all over his feet from toiling in flower nectar. He saw the Spider and she was threading her web. The Grasshopper was surprised that they were working while the weather was so beautiful. So he told them, “What are you doing? It’s summertime! Put down the work and have fun!” But they all said, “No, no, Grasshopper. We need to work and gather food for the winter! And you need to be gathering food for the winter too!” But the Grasshopper kept playing and never took heed to their advice.

And then the inevitable happened; winter came.

The snow piled and the wind blew and the Grasshopper was left hungry in the frigid cold. He was so cold and hungry that he asked the Ant for shelter and food. The Ant was appalled at the Grasshopper knowing that he spent his summer days in laziness and didn’t heed their advice to work. So the Ant told him:

“If you play all summer, you’ll go hungry all winter”

Summer represents the times that things are easier and winter represents when things are more difficult. Each of these is only a temporary season that comes and goes during our lives. Summer doesn’t last forever and winter is inevitable. When things are easier for us that is the best moment to prepare for the moments they will not be.  Therefore, the best time to ease our sickness (winter) is by preparing ourselves when we are more healthy (summer); the best time to prepare ourselves for difficult financial times (winter) is by saving money when we do have money (summer). The perfect time to gather what we need is during the time we don’t need it.

The Grasshopper didn’t bother gathering his food during the summer. Consequence: when the winter came, he had nothing to eat and was very cold. Why did he end up like that? He spent his days of vitality – when he had the most time and conditions were most comfortable – to indulge in laziness.  We should learn from him, but we should not be like him. Instead, we need to follow the model of the other insects. How so?

Invest our time in accumulating resources of value.

If we do that, the winters won’t feel as cold and hunger won’t trouble as much or at all. As the summer draws to a close, we are reminded that comfortableness is temporary and difficulties are inevitable. I challenge you to reflect upon your last 90 days and think about yourself in terms of your activity. Have you been the Grasshopper or the Ant?

- by Dion Baker from Intangible Wealth

Have you ever felt stuck?   The other day I got a question on Twitter from a friend who feels stuck with her project. She said “I’ll get one task done and then feel like I can’t go any further. How can I get unstuck?”

Getting stuck can feel like putting forth all your energy to go backwards. It’s stressful because I feel like I should be doing something, but I don’t know what to do. Why? Cause I’m stuck!

Some of my favorite ways to get unstuck  -

1. Sit still - Believe it or not, a great way to get unstuck is to sit still. I’ve written more in depth abou this before. But here’s the simple rule: Sit still in a quiet place for 1 hour. No phone. No TV. No Radio. Relax and the hurdles will desolve and your path will clear.
2. Take a long walk alone - An hour or more walk on your own without the iPhone, Twitter or music playing is the type of solitude that can clear the head and give you direction much like the method above.
3. Measure how much you care - Jonathan Mead writes an excellent way to get unstuck is to measure your care quotient . Do you care? If the answer is really No, then decide what you do care about and do that.
4. Ask a friend - I find talking it out with a friend who knows what I am trying to do can help me get unstuck. But there’s two keys to make this work.
   • The friend has to be honest.
   • I can’t be reactive or defensive about what they say
   • I need to be specific with what I’m experiencing and the end goal – i.e. getting unstuck.

   I’ve found if you just want to complain, that can be fun for awhile. But it won’t help you get unstuck. Being specific by saying “Hey, I’m feeling stuck in my marriage, job or business because ___________________.” Will provide a launching ground for your friend to give you feedback.

   Complaints usually cause friends to come to your defense. Complaints like “I can’t get anything done with her nagging me.” is more likely to lead to  “You don’t deserve that.”  than a ground-breaking unstickable suggestion.

   So although bitching is fun, it won’t get you unstuck.

5. Break it down to the ridiculous - Sometimes when I get stuck it’s due to me not seeing steps needing to be done. I might be looking at the mountain instead of seeing the 5lb. stones that need to be moved. Taking action on a mountain is uncomfortable. It’s scary. But moving a few 5lb. stones is easy. Taking the time to face what truly needs to be done, in the most simplest of terms will unstick many of the most sticky situations.

   So I’d challenge you to take your big problem. Write it down no matter what it is. If it’s “I am stuck in my career and I hate every day of my life” might be hard to admit but it’s a start. But if you do feel it, admit it on paper WITH the intention of changing it. Remember we aren’t going to wallow in it. Complaining is fun, but it’s not as effective as a plan. So start with an honest assessment of where you are now and then clarify it with where you want to be.

   Then take the time – maybe an hour – maybe 3 hours to break down what it will take to change that situation.  It really doesn’t matter how long it takes because when you’re stuck you’re wasting countless hours worrying.

That’s what I think, but what do you think?  Do you have any cool ways to get unstuck?  I know you do.  Share them in the comments below. 

If you like this article, do me a favor and vote for it on StumbleUpon or
Bookmark this on Delicious.  Thanks!

Persistence unlimited turns 4 years old today. It is almost hard to believe we’ve been on the internet for 4 years now..

Here is a link to the original post that kicked it all off. After that, there have been some good times and not so good. But it’s been an adventure either way! I really appreciate everyone who’s been reading for all these years.

Photo by Velo Steve

I got a question on twitter today about how to set a daily goal. It’s a good question. Some of my short-term growth goals are a month-long. So a daily goal is almost alien to me.

However the question reminded me having a daily goal is important.

I have gotten so accustomed to the way I handle my goals and tasks.  I tend to not think of a daily goal but a #1 priority task. So what I am getting at is that whether you call it a daily goal for a top-task isn’t important.   But choosing what you want to accomplish each day is critical.

How to Choose Your Daily Goal

I recommend picking your goal based on what you want in the future. If your goal is something big like to save up for a new house… okay.  There is a goal you can do today to make that happen.  Maybe your goal might be calling a realtor.  It might be talking to the bank.  Or it might be a half-dozen other things.

Like I said we can split hairs over whether we call it a #1 priority task or a daily goal.  Whatever you call it, your daily goal should be the most important thing you can do today to move the ball forward.

There’s an important distinction to be made between a daily goal or priority task and a half. We wouldn’t call working out necessarily a daily goal. Unless it was based on something such as I want to lose 50 pounds instead if you wanted to build your health you might call your daily goal actually a half developing the habit of exercise every day. I know this is confusing to some but I think it’s important to remember that if you’re going to be doing the same thing every day forever and ever amen, then what you’re talking about is developing a habit you’re not talking goals or tasks necessarily.

Tips to get Your Daily Goal Done

1. Start Early in the Morning – Early in the morning the emails haven’t started pouring in.  The demands on your attention haven’t landed.  In the morning you have freedom to pursue what you want.  If you don’t get started early, there is a risk you won’t.
2. Start the Hardest Part of the Daily Goal First – I hate to say it, but the thing you dread doing, the thing you are putting off is probably the most important thing!   A student doesn’t put off launching a web browser to do research – he puts off making flash cards for his study – because that’s harder.  Yet, it might be the most important task to do to pass the test.
3. Allow yourself flexibility – If you’re like me, you miscalculate how long it is going to take you to do something.  Here we have to be patient and carry your daily goal over to the next day.  So you accomplish it a day late.  So what?When I was building the first Pocket PC version of Achieve-IT! goal software, I set a goal to have it done in a year.  It took me 13 months.  So what?  I was a month late, but it still got done.  Had I beat myself up about it on the 12th month, it might have been longer…

Now it’s your turn

I’m sure many of you have comments about successful ways to knock out the daily goal. Why don’t you give your successful strategies in the comments?  Beginners might be having a tough time laying out their day in this way.  It could be confusing and it can be sort of anxiety building for some of us to narrow down what we should focus on.  Your comments will help.

And if you have a goal setting question, feel free to ask me on Twitter or by submitting it here. I really do appreciate questions about goal setting and productivity, so ask away!  You aren’t hurting my feelings. 

Image credit: svilen mushkatov

Seems every time there is a recession, I hear some knucklehead pronouncing that rich people will come to the common mans’ rescue. On the bus the other night I heard a guy loudly pronouncing how Warren Buffet and friends will take heart and donate $2.5 million to every household.

These donations would end the recession and everyone would live happily ever after. Isn’t that sweet?

What insanity.

Back in 1998 I had a similar conversation with a coworker who believed Bill Gates would write a check for $50,000 to every American family. After all, Bill Gates could do that. So he would. Like a chain letter gone bad, this co-worker was counting on it.

I know it can sometimes be fun to dream about windfalls like this. But smart people should never count on them.

When dreaming about your future, most of the dreams should revolve around what YOU will do, not other people. Because you can’t control or predict what others will do. You might not even be able to control what you will do. But at least you have more experience with you.

Face the facts of our circumstance (good or bad) and take action to get what we want. If it’s more money, make the trades in your skills for the money. Your rich uncle Larry may leave all his money to his pet squirrel. And Bill Gates may decide to never write that check – I know I’m still waiting on mine.

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Tommy Galan the author of Happy Universe.

The difference between those who realize a desired result and those who don’t is often found in the language, or words we use. Even the language in the last sentence is carefully structured to avoid using the word “failure.” While “failure” is considered negative, not reaching a desired result is simply a lesson learned, and a chance to correct the course of action the next time.

Language plays a huge part in our ability to achieve goals, meet obligations, and view ourselves as valuable humans beings. Take the following hypothetical for example: There are two children. One grows up in a family where the parents constantly tell the child that he will never amount to anything, that he’s a failure, and he does poorly in school and sports because he is a loser. The other child is praised for good actions. He’s told that he is loved, and that he can achieve anything when he focuses his mind. Wouldn’t you agree that the second child has a greater chance of reaching his goals? The reason is language.

We use language to communicate to one another, and importantly, we use language to talk to ourselves. How do you speak to yourself? Do you beat yourself up when you “fail”? Sometimes we don’t even listen to the way we speak to ourselves. Our minds get locked into a pattern, and we become unaware of the disempowering words we use to describe our reality. Even words that seem innocuous can have great impact if we associate pain with such words. Exercise, for example, is a word that most people consider harmless. However, many people associate pain with exercise, and then refrain from good health. We take steps towards achieving the goals we set by reframing our self-talk.

We reframe our language by first becoming aware of the way we speak to ourselves. The best time to become aware is when we are in a peak emotional state. It is during such states that our language is most obvious. Listen to yourself the next time you do not reach a goal, or when you have succeeded. What language do you use? Do you say, “I’m such a loser, I’ll never make it” or do you say, “Where can I improve for my next attempt?” When you succeed do you think, “I’m the best, I will always win,” thereby setting yourself up for future disappointment, or do you recognize the reasons why you succeeded and hone those areas for the future achievements?

Once you become aware or conscious of your self-talk, you can then break the pattern, reframe and replace your language. Returning to the example of exercise, I find it incredibly helpful to never “exercise.” Instead, I move in a way that I find fun and exciting. I ride a bike. I play with my son. It’s exciting for me to challenge myself with long distance running. When my self-talk points me towards fun and excitement, I want to go in that direction. Understanding language and communication is power, and it starts with the ability to talk to yourself rationally.

Tommy Galan is the author of HappyUniverse, a blog dedicated to designing happy lives through exciting goals and healthy lifestyle. A few of his many adventures include performing on Broadway, earning a Juris Doctorate, finishing marathons, and traveling the world. He lives in New York City with his wife and son.

Photo by Matt Palmer