A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

- Confucius

1. Focus on your vision

Today, I want to talk about something that's incredibly important, but often overlooked - focus. Specifically, focus on your vision.

When you focus on your vision, you're able to accomplish anything. But, the question is, do you tend to control the events in your life, or are events controlling you? The amount of stress you feel is directly related to how in control you feel about your life. And, as the stress piles up, your sense that you are in charge of your life can slip away even further. When you're disconnected from your passions, you lose sight of your vision. You feel like you're a spectator in your own life, helpless to do anything but watch as things happen to you.

So, how do we change that? If you want to stop letting other things control you, then you need to take control of your own mind. It's all about reshaping the way you think about yourself and your life. If you're ready to make that change in your life and regain control of your direction, the best thing you can do is focus on your vision.

But, what exactly is your vision? When you begin to feel adrift in life, get back to basics and focus on your vision: the life and career that would bring you lasting contentment. This isn't about money - it's about being true to yourself. Find honest answers to questions like: What does your ideal life look like? What do you most want to leave behind when all is said and done? What's your vision, your dream? That's what you need to fix at the forefront of your mind. When you focus on vision instead of everything going on around you, you'll sharpen your ability to get what you want and make yourself more resilient against the bleak thoughts that can crowd your mind when you're stressed out.

But, it's not just about having a vision, it's also about how we talk to ourselves about that vision. If you focus on the things you can't control, such as the past, all the things you've failed at or what's missing from your life, it's easy to lose your vision. Once you let yourself think in that way, the stress will creep in, clouding your vision. You'll soon feel overwhelmed and even depressed. This is the origin of that loss of control, that sense that you aren't in command of your own life. When you don't consistently focus on vision, you're a manager, an operator - not a creator.

So, what can your vision accomplish? It can transform your life if you let it. It takes real courage to pursue your passions - settling for the status quo can feel safer, since there are fewer unknowns. When we talk about living aligned with your purpose, what we're really talking about is giving focused vision meaning. When you're true to your strengths, skills and aspirations, you're focused on where you want to go and you begin to pursue meaningful goals to get there. You're on the way to self-actualization and nothing can get in your way.

Leaders focus on what they can control, what they have and what they want. Once you learn to focus on vision, you'll stop being a manager and become a creator once again. Deciding to focus on vision means determining the way you want your life to go. To create a life where you're thriving, not just surviving, you must focus on creating a compelling future. Pick anything - a goal, dream or desire - that you want so much, you're going to find yourself compelled to make it happen. Don't be modest or shy about what you want to do with your life. Dream big: What legacy do you want to leave behind? How do you want people to remember you? What would you have to accomplish in order to look back at your life and say, "I have no regrets"?

So, to summarize, focus on your vision is key to accomplish anything you want, but it's not just about having a vision, it's also about the way you talk to yourself about that vision. When you're disconnected from your passions, you lose sight of your vision. The stress you feel is directly related to how in control you feel about your life. To change that, you need to take control of your own mind by reshaping the way you think about yourself and your life. When you focus on your vision, you'll sharpen your ability to get what you want and make yourself more resilient against the bleak thoughts that can crowd your mind when you're stressed out. It takes real courage to pursue your passions, but when you're true to your strengths, skills and aspirations, you're focused on where you want to go and you begin to pursue meaningful goals to get there. Don't be modest or shy about what you want to do with your life. Dream big, determine the way you want your life to go and focus on creating a compelling future.

The 20-year plan help tool might help

Welcome to the 20-year plan help tool! This tool is designed to help you create a plan that will ensure you have the feeling of "I have lived my life fully" at the end.

The first step is to create a lifeline. Alongside the line, write down your goals. This will serve as a visual representation of the path you want to take in your life.

Next, incorporate your philosophy statement. This includes your governing values, how you want to live your life, and what you stand for. This will serve as a guide for your decision-making and help you stay true to yourself.

Then, articulate your top 10 organizing principles. These are ten sentences that you can read every morning before you walk out in the world to remind you of what is most important and to keep you focused. These should be non-negotiable, such as "I will always put my family first" or "I will always make helping others a top priority."

Next, break down your goals into sequenced actions that you can do every few months. This will help you stay on track and make progress towards your long-term goals.

Finally, go to your silent place and plan your week. This should include a blueprint for a beautiful week and should include time to reconnect with your 20-year plan, review your philosophy statement, top 10 organizing principles, measure progress on your quarterly goals, and build your weekly plan using a template. Make sure to schedule everything in your plan and review it every morning to lock it in.

By following these steps, you'll have a clear and actionable plan to help you achieve your long-term goals and live a fulfilling life. Remember, focus on your vision, and you'll be able to accomplish anything.

2. About setting goals

Some of us vow to focus on our health, while others promise to make strides in our careers. But as we all know, it's not long before many of us give up on these goals and resolutions, or forget about them entirely.

But why is it so hard to stay focused on our resolutions? Why do we make them in the first place if they don't last? The answer might surprise you - the most reliable way to achieve your goals for the upcoming year is actually by not setting any resolutions at all.

The reason resolutions fail is all down to your goal-setting strategy. How you make and follow through on the outcomes you want is a long-term process, not a short-term, once-a-year resolution. When you shift your mindset from making resolutions to creating lasting change throughout your entire life, you'll accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

So, why do we make New Year's resolutions in the first place? New Year's Eve has become more than just a holiday for many of us. We see it as a chance for a fresh start, and that's why we create resolutions. We all have parts of our lives we want to change, and our resolutions are sincere. But often, we make resolutions in the spirit of celebration, with no real thought into what it will take to achieve them. That's why, a few weeks or months into the new year, we give up, asking ourselves, "What is the point of New Year's resolutions anyway?"

But the truth is, most resolutions aren't just a matter of doing something once or twice. Transforming your life requires deep self-reflection, overcoming your limiting beliefs, and building new habits. The best resolutions are about setting goals and making a dedicated plan to achieve them.

So, what are the best resolutions? Before you answer that, realize the difference between a resolution and a goal. A resolution is a decision to (not) do a specific behavior, like eating ice cream before bed. A goal is a series of calculated steps designed to help you achieve the resolution, like starting a mindfulness meditation practice at bedtime. By this definition, it may be more straightforward to think of goals as the planned-out process of achieving your resolution. In other words, your resolution is your desired outcome, while your goals are the steps you must take to accomplish it.

And the secret to setting compelling goals is knowing why it is you want what you want - finding purpose and meaning in your goals. Creating compelling goals will help you stay inspired, even when times get tough. Whether it's professional development or personal growth, the best resolutions have purpose, passion, and vision behind them.

So, how can you make your New Year's resolutions stick? Here are a few steps to help you achieve your goals:

Step 1: Define your purpose and meaning - Before setting any goals, take the time to reflect on your values, beliefs, and what truly matters to you.

Step 2: Create compelling goals - Once you know your purpose, create specific, measurable, and achievable goals that align with that purpose.

Step 3: Make a plan - Break your goals down into smaller, actionable steps, and create a plan to achieve them.

Step 4: Overcome limiting beliefs - Reflect on any limiting beliefs you may have that are holding you back from achieving your goals.

Step 5: Build new habits - Habits are a powerful tool for achieving your goals. Identify the key elements of a good goal-setting strategy

We all know the feeling of setting a resolution, only to abandon it a few weeks later. But why do New Year's resolutions so often fail? The answer is simple: your goal-setting strategy.

To truly achieve your goals, it's important to shift your mindset from making New Year's resolutions to creating lasting change throughout your entire life. But how do you do that? Here are a few key elements of a good goal-setting strategy:

Step 1: Self-reflection

To set meaningful goals, you need to first understand yourself. What are your values? What do you want to achieve in the long-term? What are your limiting beliefs? By reflecting on these questions, you'll be able to set goals that are aligned with your purpose and values.

Step 2: Specificity

Vague goals are hard to achieve. To make your goals more specific, ask yourself: What exactly do I want to accomplish? How will I know when I've achieved it? By being specific about your goals, you'll be able to create a clear plan of action.

Step 3: Habits

Creating lasting change requires building new habits. The best way to do this is to start small and build momentum. For example, if your goal is to exercise more, start by doing just 5 minutes of exercise a day, and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable.

Step 4: Mindset

Your mindset plays a huge role in achieving your goals. If you're constantly telling yourself that you're not good enough or that you'll never achieve your goals, it will be hard to make progress. Instead, focus on building a growth mindset, which means that you believe that you can improve and change over time.

Step 5: Support

Change is hard, and it's even harder to do it alone. Find a support system of friends, family or a coach who can help you stay on track and motivated.

Step 6: Celebrate

It's important to celebrate your successes along the way. When you achieve a goal, take the time to reflect on what you've accomplished and how far you've come.

Step 7: Adapt

Life is unpredictable, and it's important to be adaptable. If your plans change or you encounter obstacles, don't be afraid to pivot and adjust your goals.

Now, you may be wondering, "But what about resolutions? Should I even bother making them?" The answer is yes, but with a twist. Instead of making a resolution that you'll probably forget about by next month, make a goal that you can work on throughout the entire year. And remember, the most important thing is to have a strategy in place for achieving your goals. By following these key elements, you'll be able to set and achieve your goals, and create lasting change in your life. So, take a deep breath, reflect on what you want to achieve, and start planning your strategy for the year. The future is yours for the taking.

How to realize lasting change

These are two frameworks that can help us set goals that are not only logical and achievable, but also emotionally resonant. The SMART framework is a well-known acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-based. By making our goals SMART, we ensure that they are well-defined, measurable, and realistic.

Step 1: Introduction to SMART Goals

Have you ever set a goal for yourself, only to find yourself consistently not reaching or giving up on it? It's time to find a new way to set your intentions - enter SMART goals.

SMART goals are a strategic and effective way to set and achieve your objectives. Unlike their counterparts - goals that are vague, overambitious or unplanned - SMART goal setting puts you on point for getting what you want in life.

Step 2: What are SMART Goals?

SMART goals stands for an acronym that outlines a strategy for reaching any objective. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and anchored within a Time Frame.

Step 3: Specific

The first step in SMART goal setting is to make your goal specific. Saying you "want to earn more" is too vague. Instead, pick a number for how much money you want to earn. Do you want to start making $150,000 per year, $500,000 or even $1 million? Do you want to increase your business profits by 20%? Set a clear number to track your progress against.

Step 4: Measurable

The next step in SMART goal setting is to make your goal measurable. If your goal isn’t measurable, you can’t objectively say you’ve achieved it. In our example, the specific goal is already measurable: You can check the numbers as the year goes on to see if you’ve reached $150,000.

Step 5: Achievable

The third step in SMART goal setting is to make sure your goal is achievable. Setting an achievable goal means choosing an objective that is attainable, even if it requires you to push yourself. If you pick a goal that you know is outrageous - say you’re currently earning $30,000 and want to earn $5 million next year - you’re most likely going to come up short of your goal.

Step 6: Realistic

The fourth step in SMART goal setting is to make sure your goal is realistic. Extraordinary goals get extraordinary results, so you want to be bold. However, for effective SMART goal setting, you also want to ensure that your goal is realistic. Realistic goals are those that you are willing and able to work toward that can be achieved by improving your current habits.

Step 7: Time-Based

The final step in SMART goal setting is to anchor your goal within a time frame. Setting a time to complete your goals makes you that much more likely to reach it. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will give you a deadline to work towards.

In conclusion, SMART goal setting is the best way to achieve success. By making your goals specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based, you increase your chances of reaching them and ultimately feeling fulfilled and joyful in life. So, start setting SMART goals today and make progress towards the extraordinary life you deserve.

HEART

But the SMART framework is just the beginning. To truly get our goals out of our heads and into our hearts, we need to make sure they fit our emotions - that's where the HEART framework comes in. The HEART framework stands for Healthy, Enduring, Alluring, Relevant, and Truthful.

First, our goals should be healthy. They should contribute to our overall well-being, both mentally, physically and emotionally. Next, they should be enduring - they should inspire and sustain us during the difficult times when we want to quit. Additionally, they should be alluring - they should be so exciting, enticing, and engaging that we're pulled to them. Then, they should be relevant - they should be related to a challenge we're having, our life's purpose, or our core values. And finally, they should be truthful - we should be setting goals that are true to us, not because our neighbor is doing it or our parents expect it.

By making our goals SMART and HEART, we can ensure that they are not only logical and achievable, but also emotionally resonant. This is the key to long-term growth and success. So, as you make your New Year's resolutions, remember to think about not only what you want to achieve, but also why you want to achieve it. By setting goals that are both SMART and HEART, you'll be well on your way to making this year your best yet.

When it comes to setting and achieving our goals, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of what we want to accomplish, but often times we fall short of reaching them. One of the best ways to ensure you're reaching your goals is by setting SMART goals.

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-based. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your goals are clear, attainable, and have a plan for achieving them.

Let's take a look at some examples of SMART goals:

Example 1: Career "Increase my salary by 25% within the next 12 months by taking on additional responsibilities and networking with industry leaders."

This goal is specific in that it clearly states the desired outcome and the time frame. It's measurable by tracking your salary increase, attainable by taking on additional responsibilities and networking, realistic because it's within the realm of possibility, and time-based with a 12 month deadline.

Example 2: Personal Skills "Learn how to code in Python within the next 6 months by taking online courses and dedicating at least 2 hours per day to practicing."

This goal is specific in that it targets a specific skill and language. It's measurable by tracking your progress and completion of online courses, attainable by dedicating time to practice, realistic because it's within the realm of possibility, and time-based with a 6 month deadline.

Example 3: Health "Lose 10 pounds within the next 3 months by exercising for 30 minutes, 3 times a week and following a healthy meal plan."

This goal is specific in that it targets a specific weight loss, measurable by tracking your weight loss and exercise routine, attainable by following a consistent exercise and meal plan, realistic because it's within the realm of possibility, and time-based with a 3 month deadline.

By following the SMART guidelines, you can ensure that your goals are clear, attainable, and have a plan for achieving them. Remember, progress equals happiness, and setting SMART goals will put you on the path to achieving the life you want.

If you’re not succeeding?

We've all been there - feeling stuck, unfulfilled, and discontent with our lives. But as frustrating as it may be, this feeling of wanting more is actually the first step towards bigger and better accomplishments. Because when we're clear on what drives us, we can manifest anything we want.

“Progress equals happiness," and setting goals is a crucial part of that progress. But let's be real, setting goals can be tough - it's easy to get caught up in our own heads, unsure of what we truly want or how to make it happen. That's where SMART goals come in. But even with the SMART framework, sometimes we still find ourselves falling short of our goals. So what's the deal?

Well, there are a few possibilities. Maybe you've chosen the wrong goals. Maybe you're not doing each step of the SMART goal-setting process properly. Or, maybe you weren't meant to achieve that goal because something better was waiting for you. It's important to remember that when we view life as happening for us, instead of to us, the meaning of "failure" changes to "opportunity." So if you're not hitting your goals, don't beat yourself up - take a step back, reevaluate, realign, and start again.

When it comes to timing, SMART goals can be tracked over any time frame, but the most common timeline for success is one year. This gives you enough time to put a self-improvement plan in place and make adjustments if something isn't working. But remember, this is not a race, steady progress over time is the key.

One of the keys to achieving any goal is surrounding yourself with like-minded, supportive people. Whether it's friends, family members, or colleagues, get them on board with your SMART goals. If you really want to accelerate your growth, work with mentors or hire a Results Coach who can help you on your quest.

At the end of the day, SMART goals are just the beginning. You can change your life one step at a time and it starts now, with pen and paper, reflection, and the SMART goal-setting format. Take control of your future and attend Unleash the Power Within, a powerful event that teaches you how to connect with your ultimate purpose and develop an actionable plan to reach your goals. And remember, you're never alone. There is always a support system out there for you, you just need to find it.

So, how do we set these meaningful goals and learn how to get what we want in life? It starts with understanding and fulfilling our essential needs - certainty, significance, variety, love and connection, growth, and contribution. It's about building a foundation that will give us the skills and confidence to pursue our goals without fear. To surround ourselves with supportive people, build authentic relationships, and align our goals with our values and true selves. When our basic needs are met, we're able to focus on achieving what we want in our relationships, careers, and other areas of life.

But first, we need to ask ourselves some important questions: What do we really want in life? What areas do we want to change? Is it related to our health? Is there a skill we want to acquire? Do we want to take our relationship to the next level? What about our career or business - is there something specific we want to achieve? What in our lives do we want to master?

Once we have a clear sense of what we want, we can then create goals and a step-by-step plan for getting there. But the problem with most people's goals is that they don't exactly inspire us to jump out of bed in the morning. The key to getting what we want is setting meaningful goals - ones that create emotion and drive inside of us, that spur us to grow and expand, and that allow the other areas of our lives to thrive as we pursue our vision.

To get what we want in life, we must first fulfill our essential needs. We must surround ourselves with good people, build authentic relationships, discover our values, and create goals aligned with our truest selves. When our needs are met through healthy relationships and lifestyle, we're able to overcome harmful cycles and live a life filled with purpose and fulfillment.

Get brilliant in life planning. Focus. Focus. Focus. Every action is once driven by a thought. If you don’t focus your thought, you don’t focus your actions - Robin Sharma

Further exploring: how to write OKR’s? In one sentence: You complete a set of key results to achieve your objective.

3. Tools

From liveyourlegend - source

“The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it.” ~ Michelangelo

4. Work-life balance

Forget about the elusive concept of work-life balance. It's a myth that's been perpetuated by the hustle culture and influencers who claim you need to work 80-100 hours a week to succeed. The truth is, there's no such thing as balance - there's only work-life integration.

Tony Robbins' Business Owner Mindset Report revealed that 53% of respondents didn't think they needed to sacrifice their personal lives to get ahead at work, yet only 17% rated their work-life balance as "great." This disconnect can be attributed to the pressure to hustle and the belief that work and life are separate entities.

But work and life are not separate entities - they are intertwined. When you focus on integrating work with life instead of treating it like a zero sum game, you'll gain clarity and peace. Life is a circle, not a scale. The key to achieving work-life integration is to find your mission and incorporate it into your life. When your work aligns with your mission, it will energize you and you'll wake up excited to go to work.

Additionally, involve your family in your mission. This doesn't necessarily mean hiring them to work for you, but incorporating their values and goals into your mission. When your family is involved in your mission, you'll be pulled together in the same direction. And remember, change your focus to small, daily steps that ladder up to your overall vision. Work-life integration is achievable when you have a plan to integrate all aspects of your life.

When it comes to achieving success in both our personal and professional lives, the idea of "work-life balance" can often feel like a lofty, unattainable goal. But what if we were to shift our perspective and focus on work-life integration instead?

The idea behind work-life integration is that your work and your personal life are not separate entities, but rather they are interconnected and interdependent. When you've achieved work-life integration, your work doesn't feel like a burden, but rather it lifts you up and gives you energy to enjoy your personal life.

So, how do we achieve this elusive state of work-life integration? Here are a few steps to get you started:

1. Forget about the idea of "balance" and focus on integration. The phrase "work-life balance" gives the impression that these two aspects of our lives are completely separate and can be turned on and off like a switch. In reality, they are intertwined and should be viewed as a cohesive whole.

2. Find your mission. When your work is aligned with your personal mission and values, it will energize you and give you a sense of purpose. Think about how you can incorporate your family, volunteer work, or other passions into your mission.

3. Change your focus. Once you have a clear vision for your life, don't let anything distract you. Set small goals that ladder up to your overall vision and always include time for your personal life in your plan.

Additionally, it's important to remember that life is unpredictable and will inevitably throw curve balls. It's essential to have a plan, but also to be flexible and adaptable. One way to do this is to set aside some time every week, an hour of silence, to plan your week and stay focused on your goals.

5. Small simple steps

Act in small simple steps:

• be kind to yourself

• take baby steps

• on autopilot

How to set and execute 50 year goals

PART 1: LONG-TERM VISION

Find goals you truly care about. Ideally these are unique and very long-term. This is the hardest part.

1. Clear, ~permanent long-term vision. I hold my vision very firmly, change it very rarely, and see it as infinite. It is the core of my identity, the center of who I am, and my reason to get out of bed in the morning.

2. Thread that converts my long-term vision to tractable daily actions. Long-term vision => decade themes => year OKRs (object and key results) => quarter OKRs=> weekly/daily actions.

3. Minimize bullshit that does not advance my long-term vision. I delegate, pay, ignore etc.; doesn’t matter as long as I just don’t do it.

4. Life will never be boring. Because my true goals are infinite. That last bit is important to happiness. Many people set finite, achievable goals as their meaning of life. Make money. Buy house. Have children. And once they reach these goals, they are disappointed. The dopaminergic system adapts, as it is programmed to do. The only way to be truly fulfilled is to have infinite goals, that can infinitely be pursued, and to find this infinite pursuit fulfilling by itself.

5. So how do YOU find your own long-term goal? This whole post is just an illustration of how I found mine. I don’t know how you can find yours. But I would:

   • figure out what axioms you ultimately believe in

   • think what the bottlenecks for achieving these axioms are

   • iterate until you find your vision deeply compelling.

   It is a long process and your vision could be very different from mine. But I don’t think a life without a long-term vision is worth living.

6. Also. If your vision is similar to the vision that a lot of people have (e.g. aforementioned “make money. buy house. have children.”) then you are probably just copying someone else.

7. My initial vision as a kid was “become rich.” It wasn’t mine, it was just planted there by the surrounding environment. I was fortunate enough to have made a lot of money when I was 22 (by selling my equity in one of the companies I started). Bought a Ferrari and a Bentley; lived between Mayfair in London and Sparrow Hills in Moscow; chugged Cristal at Jimmyz in Monaco and Tramp in London. It was pretty awesome for several months. And then became a crushing disappointment. I was surrounded by people I did not respect, doing stuff I did not enjoy.

   Because “become rich” in and of itself is a really stupid long-term vision, held by a lot of really stupid people. And it is really easy to catch it from them.

   Your vision really needs to be yours. A contrarian vision is a hint that it really is yours. Because it has not been planted there by other people.

   Don’t spend your life as a fucking sheep.

PART 2: TURNING LONG-TERM VISION INTO TRACTABLE DAILY ACTIONS

Figure out what you can do today to make a small step towards your goals. Take that step.

(1) Work backwards from long-term vision. Think in bottle necks: what is preventing your future from being realized? Obvious. You have your long-term vision. Keep asking “what Z bottlenecks my LTV?” and then “what Y bottlenecks Z?” And keep going. There is always a bottleneck. The challenge is that this is a very speculative process. The world has ~infinite degrees of freedom. So the future is hard to predict. This is where instrumental goals come in.

(2) Focus mostly on instrumental goals. These are goals that are likely to help all long-term visions and paths to them, no matter what the details are. Things like health, resources, focus, survival, intelligence, network of allies are instrumental goals. The power of instrumental goals is that they are extremely predictable and don’t change much over time. Going back to my example. It is highly likely that the tech path to BCIs will be different from what I think. It highly unlikely that persuasiveness or health or wealth will not be useful. Here are categories that I consider instrumental to ~any long-term vision:

• Applied intelligence. Focus, energy, ability for deep work, everyday happiness.

• Resources. Money, power, persuasiveness, allies, reputation.

• Classical intelligence. IQ, mental visualization skills, creativity etc.

• Dynamic intelligence.

• Learning how to learn, being able to change your mind.

• Social intelligence. Ability to persuade others. Lifespan/healthspan/survival + goal integrity. I.e. more time to execute your long-term vision.

(3) Obsessive bias for action

Obvious. Take your path-to-long-term-vision + your instrumental goals, and obsessively look for concrete actions to advance these goals at every timescale. When an opportunity to advance arises, jump on it.

I like using the following framework for this:

• Write out ~3 DECADE-long THEMES for myself. Example: one of my major themes for my thirties (I am 32) is to find an opportunity with potential to be one of The Singularity’s enabling platforms over the following 30–50 years. Maybe start working on it.

• Pick 3–5 major OBJECTIVES for the YEAR. These are informed by decade-long themes. Example: as part of my decade-long vision I aim to educate myself about areas such as nanotech, neuroscience, bioengineering etc.

• Pick 3–5 OBJECTIVES for the QUARTER. Each objective needs to have 2–4 measurable sub-results that unambiguously show whether the objective has been accomplished or not. Share these with other people to enhance feeling of accountability. Example: I have quarterly goals to take classes, read books, meet with professors doing cutting-edge research.

• EVALUATE PROGRESS every 2–4 weeks, and use evaluations to inform course-corrective actions.

• Start every day by writing down (in a notepad) ~4 things I should work on today that will contribute to quarterly objectives while focused, and ~2–3 things for relaxation (e.g. meditate, read, meet friends).

• I end up working intensely on some of these daily things, and some of them roll over. I pick what to work on during a specific day purely based on what I feel like doing. That way I work better.

Note that I do not separate health, career, friends etc. They all instrument my long-term vision, and all are critical. Many people see work and life as separate. This is an illusion.

PART 3: DO NOT DO USELESS BULLSHIT

Look at what things you do every day, and remove those that do not contribute towards your goals.

So, by now:

1. I have a compelling vision.

2. I have a list of actionable daily steps that advance my vision. How these are prioritized between themselves mostly doesn’t matter.
   The last bit to prioritization is “keep removing everything that does not advance the long-term vision.”

My general framework:

• I regularly assess how I spend time and (more important) energy. By reviewing calendars, writing things down, looking at devices etc.

• I ask myself “is there a way that this contributes to my long-term goals?” If the answer is “fuck yes” then all good. If the answer is anything other than “fuck yes”, then I move on to figure out how to get rid of this.

• “This is the way things are done”, “what will people think?” or “everyone has to do this” are non-arguments to me. I don’t want to be like most people. So I see no reason to behave like most people.

• Invest in self-awareness. Meditation, books, drugs — all those things helped me understand what I like and why. This helps figure out what matters, and what doesn’t.

That’s the general idea. The best way to explain this section is to share examples.

1. Examples of what I cut out of my life:

• People I don’t know. Unless we have been introduced by someone I trust and respect, I will not engage with you. The cost of evaluating whether you are a great person or a timewaster multiplied by the number of requests is too high.

• People I don’t feel are awesome. The only people I want to interact with a second time are those that make me feel energized and where the answer to “do I want to speak with them again?” is “fuck yes!” This is rare.

• Long meetings or meetings without an agenda. Even if we were introduced, say what you want in a clear, concise way. Even if we work together, give me a fucking agenda if you want to talk.

• Events/conferences. Because I am not interested in random chance meetings and am not a salesperson, I think of these as an utter waste of energy and time. Exceptions are very focused/selected groups of people (e.g. YCombinator Demo Day). Or when I give major talks that help my brand or my public speaking skills.

• Social media. Addictive waste of time and energy.

• Messaging and email. I cut use down to couple times a day, and respond rarely. My phones are nearly always on “Do Not Disturb.” People initially get pissed off, but then get used to it. Sometimes I miss opportunities, and that’s ok. Life is full of opportunities.

• News media. As I said before, I don’t give a fuck about what Kim Jong-Un does. Neither should you.

• Alcohol and weed. Alcohol/weed disrupt my sleep. Mental effects are mostly inconsistent and not that useful or pleasant. Health effects are clearly negative in the case of alcohol. I do find certain other drugs — MDMA, LSD and GHB — useful because risks/health costs are lower, if done carefully, while benefits are higher.

As always my mental Saul Goodman says “do not do illegal things outside of international waters.”

• Logistics and transit. I very rarely go somewhere for meetings in-person, and I try to cut down on flights. Traffic, airports etc. generate stress and are highly disruptive.

• Shopping and having lots of stuff. I live out of 2 suitcases and like it that way. I also have an assistant that buys things for me when I do need them

• Being stressed out. Most things don’t matter. I am pretty close to being able to shrug off everything. But still some room for improvement.

• Cleaning, doing dishes, driving etc. I don’t find these meditative or relaxing the way some people do, so I prefer paying other people for it.

• Standing in lines. I will do my best to avoid standing in lines, or pay others to do it for me.

This is not an exhaustive list. But removing these made me vastly more effective at pursuing what actually matters.

6. Powerful steps to become unstoppable

"Destiny, fate, karma, serendipity – call it what you will, the idea that life is determined by forces beyond our control has been around for ages. It's woven into Greek mythology, ancient Chinese storytelling and every culture around the world. But what if destiny wasn't real? What if you could control your own destiny?

In this post, I want to explore the idea that you can control your own fate, and give you the tools to do so. But first, let's talk about what it means to control your destiny.

Believing that you control your own destiny means recognizing your internal locus of control. It means taking responsibility for your thoughts, actions and their outcomes. By thinking this way, you become unstoppable. You can learn how to control your destiny.

So, how do you do it?

1. Accept Reality:

To control your destiny, you must first accept who you are and where you are right now. If you fool yourself into thinking you're further along in your goals than you really are, you'll leave yourself with nothing to accomplish. At the same time, don't convince yourself that your life is worse than it really is. Take a step back and look at your circumstances from a new perspective. Develop your self-awareness and accept reality. You can't make a plan to control your destiny if you don't know your starting point.

2. Question Your Beliefs:

Accepting reality doesn't mean you just sit back and forget about controlling your destiny. It means taking ownership of what you can change and forgetting about things you can't. You can't control what others do or think. You can't control the market. The only thing you can change is your own mindset. To do that, you must question the story you tell yourself and transform it into one that empowers you. Limiting beliefs – the negative things we tell ourselves about the way we are and the way the world is – only hold you back from fully controlling your destiny.

3. Let Go of the Past:

Your past is not your future – unless you live there. To control your own destiny, you must forgive those who have hurt you and let go of the past. Realize that, as Tony Robbins says, "Nothing in life has any meaning except the meaning you give to it." Will you give your past a meaning filled with hurt and pain, or will you realize that it's what made you who you are today? Your past can be a source of inner strength and deep belief in yourself, if you choose to give it a positive meaning.

4. Explore Your Relationships:

Nothing affects the quality of your life and your ability to control your destiny more deeply than your relationships. They are a window into your values and beliefs, including your beliefs about yourself. They are the source of life's greatest pleasure and life's greatest pain. And they can either propel you toward your goals or keep you stagnant. Sometimes you must cut ties with unhealthy relationships that no longer serve you. This is one of the hardest parts of learning how to control your destiny, but you can't fly when you're weighed down.

5. Reveal Your Driving Force:

Your relationships also provide clues about your driving force – the ultimate reason you do the things you do. We're all driven by Six Human Needs: certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth and contribution. We need all of these things at a certain level, but we each have one top need that drives us more than others. By looking at your life in this context, you'll be able to more successfully control your destiny, because you will recognize and fulfill your needs in a positive way, and faced your fears. Now it's time to take control of your destiny by designing the life you truly want. Start by setting clear and specific goals that align with your values and driving force. Break them down into smaller, actionable steps and create a plan to achieve them. It's important to remember that life is constantly changing and your goals may shift along the way. But by staying focused on your vision and taking small, consistent steps towards it, you can control your destiny and create the life you desire.

It's also important to remember that the journey to controlling your destiny is ongoing. It's not something you can achieve once and be done with. It's a continuous process of self-discovery, growth, and evolution. By staying open-minded and adaptable, you can continue to make progress and move towards your goals.

Ultimately, controlling your destiny is about taking ownership of your life and being intentional about the person you want to be and the life you want to live. It's about realizing that you are the master of your own fate and that you have the power to shape your future. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can learn how to control your destiny and create a life that is truly fulfilling and meaningful.

When it comes to achieving our goals, we often start off with a sense of unshakable determination and a deep belief in ourselves that we will succeed. But as time goes on, life can get in the way and we may find ourselves feeling stuck and losing focus. Plateaus in progress are a normal part of the journey, but it's important to learn how to stay on track, even when it feels like the last thing you want to do.

Staying on track with your goals can be challenging, but with the right strategies, you can learn how to do it no matter what obstacles come your way.

1. Take Responsibility

When you find yourself getting off track, it's important to understand that you are the architect of your life. You have the power to design it to be anything you want, and when you lose focus and let others interrupt your plans, that's on you. Take personal accountability and go from there.

2. Connect with Your Purpose

When your goals don't inspire you, it's easy to lose focus. By connecting your goals to your ultimate purpose in life, you'll get a clear understanding of what you want to accomplish. This will help you turn your "shoulds" into "musts" and discover how to stay on track with enthusiasm.

3. Don't Let Self-Talk Derail You

We all have that little voice that tells us things like, "Just 10 more minutes of sleep." Successful people know how to ignore this voice and stay on track. Eliminate negative self-talk and instead use rituals like incantations to get in the right mindset. Incantations are more powerful than affirmations because they involve embodying the words, which provides a feeling of certainty in your goals.

4. Create Empowering Habits

There are many empowering habits that can help you stay on track. Meditation can improve focus, promote productivity and reduce stress. Goal visualization can create a specific, detailed vision of your life that can actually help make it come true.

5. Use the Power of Proximity

When everyone around you is focused on achievement, staying on track with your goals becomes easier. Surround yourself with ambitious people who will raise you up with them instead of holding you back. Find a mentor, join an online networking group or sign up for Results Coaching and start leveraging the power of proximity.

6. Learn How to Say "No"

If other people's goals are throwing you off track, it's important to learn how to say "no" and prioritize yourself instead. Get on track by prioritizing yourself instead.

7. Make a Plan

To stay on track, you need to know where the track is. Use a system like Tony's Rapid Planning Method (RPM) to align your daily actions with your purpose, then set goals that will help you get there. The key to success is to break down your overall dream into achievable, measurable SMART goals and then track your progress so you can hold yourself accountable – and celebrate your success when you reach a milestone.

8. Take Action Every Day

Ultimately, rewards come in action, not in discussion. The time to take massive determined action is now. Make sure you do something every day that helps you stay on track. Use your N.E.T. time (No Extra Time) to listen to educational podcasts or skip Netflix and check something off your to-do list instead. There are time management apps that can help you stay on track.

By following these strategies, you can learn how to stay on track with your goals, even when life seems to be working against you. Remember that plateaus are a normal part of progress and to not let them discourage you.

In conclusion, staying on track with your goals is not always easy, but it is possible. By taking responsibility for your own actions, connecting with your purpose, eliminating negative self-talk, creating empowering habits, leveraging the power of proximity, learning how to say "no", making a plan, and taking action every day, you can overcome plateaus and achieve your dreams. Remember, plateaus are a normal part of progress and it's important to not let them discourage you. Keep pushing through, stay focused, and stay on track. With the right strategies, you can learn how to control your destiny and make it a reality.

“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.” – Tony Robbins

“Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts.” – Winston Churchill

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn

“Taking responsibility for your beliefs and judgments gives you the power to change them.” – Byron Katie

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.” – Bruce Lee

8. Ditch your to do list

Are you tired of feeling like your to-do list is controlling your life rather than the other way around? Do you find yourself working tirelessly but still not achieving the success and satisfaction you desire?

It's no secret that we are living in a fast-paced world where demands on our personal and professional lives are greater than ever before. And for many of us, it can feel like we're just trying to keep our heads above water. But what if the reason we're struggling is because we're still using the same outdated methods of time and life management that our parents and grandparents used decades ago?

The truth is, there's a big difference between movement and achievement. And too often, our to-do lists focus solely on our activities rather than our results. This can lead to feelings of busyness but not necessarily progress.

That's where the RPM system comes in. This system of thinking focuses on the key results that are most important in your life, rather than just your to-do list. It's broken down into three main components: focus and clarity, purpose, and a massive action plan.

First, you must get crystal clear about what it is you truly want. The clearer you are about your desired outcome, the easier it will be to design all of your actions around achieving it. Your brain becomes like a heat-seeking missile, honing in on what you want and figuring out how to get there.

Next, it's important to connect your goals with your purpose - the "why" behind what you want. This gives you emotional drive and motivation to push through the inevitable challenges that arise.

Finally, you need a plan of action. Your massive action plan (MAP) outlines the specific steps you need to take to achieve your desired result. The beauty of the RPM system is that it allows for flexibility - if one set of actions doesn't work, another will. And remember, you don't have to accomplish every single action item in your MAP in order to achieve your result. Sometimes, a small number of actions can make the biggest impact.

Tony Robbins RPM-method

RPM stands for "Rapid Planning Method" and is a productivity and goal setting system created by Tony Robbins. The method is designed to help individuals achieve their desired outcome by focusing on the key results that are most important in their lives, rather than on their activity or to-do list.

The RPM system is broken down into three main components: focus and clarity, purpose and Massive Action Plan (MAP).

Focus and Clarity:

• The first step is to get crystal clear about what it is that you want. The clearer you are about what you want, the easier it is to achieve it, because then you can design all of your activity around making progress towards achieving it. This means defining your goal in a specific, measurable, and actionable way. For example, instead of saying "I want to be healthy," you would say "I want to lose 20 pounds in the next 6 months."

• To help you focus on your goal, ask yourself "what is the outcome I want to achieve?" and write it down in a specific and measurable form

• Use this goal as a benchmark to measure your progress, and make sure that all of your actions are in line with achieving this goal.

Purpose:

• Once you know what it is you really want, you need to associate with why you want to do it - your purpose for wanting to achieve this result.

• Your purpose is what gives you the emotional drive to keep going when the challenges show up, so it's important to have a strong reason or "why" behind your goal. For example, you might say "I want to lose 20 pounds in the next 6 months so that I can feel confident and attractive."

Massive Action Plan (MAP):

• Now that you have a clear, specific result or outcome and a compelling purpose, you need a plan to make it happen. A Massive Action Plan (MAP) which is a list of specific, measurable steps that you will take to achieve your goal. This could include things like exercising 3 times a week, cutting out sugar, or tracking your calories.

• Your MAP is the specific steps or actions you need to take in order to achieve your result.

• Identify the key actions that are critical to achieving your goal and write them down in a specific and measurable form

• Prioritize these actions based on their importance and urgency

• Schedule these actions in your calendar, and make sure you take action on them every day.

Here are some exercises you can do to apply the RPM method in your life:

1. Start each day with a morning ritual that includes setting your focus and clarity for the day. Write down your goal and your purpose for the day.

2. Use the RPM method to plan your day by identifying the key actions you need to take to achieve your goal and schedule them in your calendar.

3. Use incantations or affirmations to help you stay focused and motivated throughout the day.

4. At the end of each day, review your progress, and make adjustments to your plan as needed.

5. Celebrate your successes and learn from your failures.

6. Repeat this process every day and make it a habit.

Remember that achieving your goals is not just about having a plan, it's also about taking massive action. This means working on your MAP, monitoring your progress, and adjusting your plan as necessary. Tony Robbins recommends incantations, small phrase that you repeat to yourself multiple times a day to help keep you focused on your goal and to surround yourself with people who inspire and support you, and to find a mentor who can help guide you along the way.

Another useful exercise is to do a visualization of your goal, imagining yourself having already achieved it, and feeling the emotions associated with that success.

Overall, the RPM method is a powerful tool for achieving your goals and creating the life you want. By getting clear about what you want, why you want it, and how you will achieve it, you can take control of your destiny and make your dreams a reality. The RPM method is a powerful tool to help you achieve your goals, but it's up to you to take action and make it happen. Keep in mind that the key to success is to break down your overall dream into achievable, measurable, and specific goals, track your progress and hold yourself accountable, and celebrate your success when you reach a milestone.

9. Final Tips

1. Always demand a deadline. A deadline weeds out the extraneous and the ordinary. It prevents you from trying to make it perfect, so you must make it different. Different is better.

2. Be governed not by the tyranny of the urgent but by the elevation of the important.

3. In all things — except love — start with the exit strategy. Prepare for the ending. Almost anything is easier to get into than out of.

4. Work to become, not to acquire.

5. Show me your calendar and I will tell you your priorities.

6. Bad things can happen fast, but almost all good things happen slowly.

7. If your goal does not have a schedule, it is a dream.

8. Be frugal in all things, except in your passions splurge. The meaning of FRUGAL is careful about spending money or using things when you do not need to: use resources like money or supplies in a very careful way. Abundance is not wasting!

9. Life’s finest treasures live in the simplest moments. Don’t take them for granted.

10. Life is too short to take things too seriously.

11. Don’t allow yourself to get exhausted.

12. Gratitude will unlock all other virtues and is something you can get better at.

13. Life favours the committed

14. To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.”

15. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

16. “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

17. “Is it so bad, then, to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh. To be great is to be misunderstood.”

18. “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

19. “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”

20. “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”

21. “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”

22. “A great man is always willing to be little.”

23. “Be silly. Be honest. Be kind.”

24. “Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”

25. “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”

26. “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.”

27. “People do not seem to realise that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.”

28. “Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.” (Bali voorbeeld met exotische krabben, geen geweld maar understanding)

29. “You become what you think about all day long.”

30. “Envy is ignorance,

31. Imitation is Suicide.”

32. “To be great is to be misunderstood.”

33. “Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.”

34. “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.”

35. “It is easy to live for others, everybody does. I call on you to live for yourself.”

36. “Be yourself; no base imitator of another, but your best self. There is something which you can do better than another. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that. Do the things at which you are great, not what you were never made for.”

37. What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. At your funeral people will not recall what you did; they will only remember how you made them feel. It is not about solving the problem; it is about participating in it together.

38. On the way to a grand goal, celebrate the smallest victories as if each one was the final goal. No matter where it ends you are victorious.

39. If your goal does not have a schedule, it is a dream.

40. When I make decisions, everything is either heaven “yes” or hell “no”. If I don’t feel completely aligned with something, I don’t do it, because I don’t have the time, focus or energy to spare. You can honestly say you don’t suffer from FOMO. In the last few weeks, I have been invited to a handful of social and work gatherings but declined because I’m clear about my purpose and motivation in spending time doing xxx. JOMO, the joy of missing out. While it’s great to be being open-minded and consider options, when you say yes to something, you ned to be careful that you’re not inadvertently saying no to yourself and your own needs.

Conclusion

Quiz

How do I apply this in my life

1. Create my daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly schedule

2. Take a moment and schedule 30 minutes of white space in your calendar for this week. This time to be spent away from technology, time dedicated to clear your mind, relax and be creative.

3. Purpose grows from passion. What are my current passions?

Food for thought

Expand your understanding