How do you respond to external pressure? Do you like deadlines? Do you trust yourself enough to quit your job and become your own boss? Are you able to exercise consistently without an exercise buddy to keep you on track? How about your ability to save money?
In my view, a big part of our life’s journey is learning how to pay attention to our own behavior. Only when we’re able to clearly see our default behavior do we begin to learn how we behave under all types of circumstances? How do we behave when under extreme pressure while working towards a deadline? Do we put things off until the last possible moment and then come through with flying colors? As well, we should pay attention to how we behave under normal circumstances because much of our lives are lived under “normal circumstances.”
If we want to change the way we operate then we need to see what our normal operating situation looks like. Chart our daily thoughts, feelings, actions, inactions. Watch what we’re doing, thinking, and feeling when we’re busy “getting things done”, moving matters. making things happen. Watch what we’re thinking and feeling when we’re taking a break and letting things slide.
Keep track of our brilliant ideas, as well as, our dumb mistakes. A journal can be extremely helpful but so too can a simple spreadsheet. Ask yourself, “What was I thinking when this happened? How did I feel?” What could I have done to make things better? Is this part of an ongoing story in my life? If so, could I react differently the next time it happens and get a different/better result?
This type of personal study will help to set oneself up for a life of continual success. I mean, isn’t this what we all want? Some sort of ongoing success story in our lives. One where we win even if we lose? No matter how we go about our life’s journey one thing we all tend to agree on is that “It’s all about the lessons we learn and the growth we experience with each new experience.”
I find that the more I pay close attention to my own reactions and monitor my habits of behavior I’m better able to respond in situations instead of emotionally reacting. I mentally ask, “Is this really the way I want to behave or is there some sort of habitual fear in my responses. If I’m afraid then what am I afraid of? Hurting someone’s feelings? Is it not better and more aligned with my values to tell the truth even if it hurts both of us a little but might possibly bring more genuineness to our relationship? Am I so interested in being liked and getting on with people that I’m willing to undermine my own values just to keep the peace?
When I keep track of my thoughts and actions and analyze various outcomes I can then decide what works best and hopefully, if I’m mindful enough the next time a similar situation occurs, be able to alter my normal responses and create a more favorable outcome.
Is this not how we become successful, maintain it and strive to improve even more?
“Setting yourself up to succeed in life is all about paying close attention to our own behaviors and modifying our actions accordingly.” DJK
Dominc Kotarski – Author of The Making
and Founder of Sales Success Academy
Dominic writes, speaks, inspires, motivates and teaches on the most important aspects of your business including Sales, Coaching, Team building, People Management and Business Development. Get weekly access to his blog & training videos FREE by subscribing HERE
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