One of the great causes of failure, whether it’s a business start-up, a promotion, or a relationship, is avoidance. Why would we put it all on the line, just to evade the few critical tasks that will manifest success?
Because those tasks are uncomfortable! We are creatures of comfort, not survival. With a wealth of opportunity at our fingertips, we have become excellent self-saboteurs.
Comfort starts as a servant and becomes a master.
– Kahlil Gibran
How often have you gone into work with high hopes for the day, only to leave wondering what you actually accomplished? Ever wondered why most offices have dozens of meetings with no results?
At home, have you purchased expensive gym equipment and the associated workout gear only to let it collect dust? Or are you like the millions who have gym memberships they never use?
Completely in love with your spouse, but you don’t put in any effort to show it? When was the last time you purposefully tried to make a loved one’s day brighter?
If you have your own business, do you have a fantastic website, but no clients? Amazing business cards, but the box is still full?
What we fear doing most is what we usually most need to do.
– Timothy Ferriss, 4-Hour Workweek
The solution is painfully simple:
- You know what you need to do, it’s the exact task that has been on your to-do list for weeks and is holding you back from leaping forward. Do it right now.
- Escape the avoidance trap and get in good habits. Create a list of your “High Impact Tasks” – your HIT list of steps that will immediately and substantially impact your results. Then get them done each day first. (Thanks to Judy Robinett for sharing this invaluable tool with me!)
Get honest with yourself and refuse to allow your crafty justifications convince you that comfort right now is more fulfilling than enormous success. Keep an eye on your daily activities. Are you busy for busy’s sake?
There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living; there is nothing harder to learn.
– Seneca
What have you been avoiding? Make a commitment to tackle it today in the comments, and then let us know how you did! Don’t give your success the slip.