I am a tactical machine. I love spreadsheets, project plans and making sure that everyone knows exactly what their supposed to do. No project ever gets complete unless someone takes care of the tactics.
However, I have had a revelation in 2011.
The tactics don’t matter.
Let me clarify.
The most important component in all personal and professional achievement is that you begin with a goal or vision. In addition, you need to have a powerful emotional connection to this goal.
For example, imagine that you are 40 years old with two young children. At your annual physical, your doctor tells you that you need to lose 50lbs or you are at high risk of having a heart attack in the next 12 months. The thought of missing your family creates an emotional connection to the goal of losing 50 lbs. As a result, you do whatever it takes to hit your target. You don’t need the latest fad diet or fancy workout machine – you figure it out.
Conversely, imagine that instead a having a heart attack, your doctor tells you that you could stand to lose a few pounds. You have a moderate desire to look better at the swimming pool this summer so you go and purchase “Buns of Steel” at the bookstore and ask your wife to add more vegetables to the weekly shopping list. Unfortunately, you never get past the first chapter and convince yourself that onion rings count as a vegetable. You can always wear a shirt at the pool.
The tactics just don’t matter if you don’t really care about achieving the goal.
What really matters to you? If you’re not sure – click here.