Entrepreneurial Success Factors
I’ve been reading The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan and making some changes in my thinking about my own business. In Chapter 16, entitled The Three Commitments they explain the three commitments required in order to achieve extraordinary results in your life and business. These are:
1) Adopting the mindset of someone seeking mastery
2) Seeking the very best ways of doing things
3) Being willing to be held accountable to doing everything you can
They describe mastery as being a way of thinking and acting, as well as your journey to your destination. If you choose to master the correct thing, then pursuing mastery will make almost everything else you do easier, or no longer even necessary. Once we know the basics of what we want to achieve, it is simply a matter of spending enough time to achieve mastery. I think of my writing as an excellent example of this; once I knew how to write blog posts, short reports, and books it was time for me to start writing every single day so that I could continue to perfect my skills over time. The journey of mastery is never ending, and you will be pleased with your success over time.
This all goes back to the theory of ‘10,000 hours’, a rule first discussed by by psychologist K. Anders Ericsson in 1993. The thinking behind this is that establishing the habit of regular practice with any skill will lead to enhanced performance over time with that skill. We’ve all known people who spent endless hours practicing a sport, a musical instrument, or other activity and have observed how they improve over time. I think back to when my grandson took up the guitar at age six and am still amazed at how proficient he has become over these years. This theory assumes a direct correlation between the hours invested and your level of proficiency.
They also discuss the idea of ‘doing your best’ versus ‘doing something in the best way that it can be done’. This requires you to change what you are doing, something many of us are simply not willing to do. Moving from an ‘Entrepreneurial’ approach to one that is more ‘Purposeful’ will change your life forever.
‘Protecting your time’ is the way to make sure you are accomplishing your goals and not wasting precious time with people or activities that do not move you closer to what you want to achieve. I have friends who have used this phrase while speaking with me, yet I was not familiar with the concept as discussed in this book until I read about it. The idea is to say ‘no’ many more times than you say ‘yes’ so that your priorities stay focused and in order. Refuse to allow a lack of time get in the way of your dreams and goals.
Be sure to pick up a copy of this book and share your experiences with us here.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Have you adopted the mindset of mastery for your life?
Connie,
“The One Thing” is a wonderful book. I would also recommend “Essentialism” by Greg McKeown, which is similar in theme but different enough that I encourage people to read both.
The third point from above (“Being willing to be held accountable to doing everything you can”) can be challenging for those of us that are flying solo. Even if we welcome accountability, it may be difficult to find someone to whom we can be accountable.
What do you think the best way (or a couple ways) to find and maintain a relationship with an accountability partner might be?
Thanks again for sharing your wisdom.
Ron, thanks so much for your comment. I honestly believe that a mentor is the best person to be accountable to for your business. This person will be able to guide you towards your goals in a straightforward manner, while having your best interest in mind.
Connie Ragen Green
Connie,
When I first read the accountability piece above, I took it to mean responsibility, which, by definition, is essentially the same. I do believe we have to accept 100% responsibility for our actions and results. So when Ron mentioned that flying solo makes that challenging, I actually disagree. We have to hold ourselves accountable; there is no one else. Even if we work for others, we have to be accountable for ourselves. Being accountable and taking responsibility mean that we cannot blame others for our results. How much more true is that when there is no one else there to blame?
Now, that does not mean that we can’t benefit from having an accountability coach like The Accountability Squad (dot com), but we are still responsible for the results we create.
I took interest in the section on protecting our time and saying no. Grant Cardone’s, The 10X Rule, seems to say the opposite. He says that successful people always say yes to stay open to possibilities “until you become so successful that you are forced to add ‘no’ to your arsenal and start managing your time and efforts.” Almost as if to say, “say yes and discern alignment later.” Where does a disciplined goal orientation begin and “can do attitude” end (or vice versa)?
Thanks for sharing.
Tanya Brockett, MBA
Pres. and Founding Editor
HallagenInk.com
Connie,
An interesting article. I’d simplify the 3 Commandments to 1 Commandment – ‘Be the best you can be’. Re accountability/responsibility, I agree with Tanya that we have to take 100% responsibility for our actions and results. For me an accountability partner would give/gives me structure and focus, but I would still hold myself responsible for my actions and results. I’d change ‘Being willing to be held accountable to doing everything you can’ to ‘Being willing to hold yourself accountable to doing everything you can’.
I agree with the ‘protecting your time’ principle and disagree with Grant Cordone’s principle of ‘saying yes to stay open to possibilities’ that Tanya mentioned. A very thought provoking book is When The Body Says No by Gabor Mate – if you keep on saying yes when you want to say no, the body will eventually say no, which may be the cause behind so many chronic illnesses.
Thank you.
Christine Shelley
You make lots of great points here, Christine. Thank you for your comment.
Connie Ragen Green
My book has been shipped from Amazon! Each of these statements deserves an in depth investigation. Big ideas in little sentences. Thought provoking.
Excellent, Cynthia – congratulations on your book!
Connie Ragen Green
I bought this book and think it should be in every entrepreneur’s library. So many great insights on how to eliminate all the crazy distractions that get in the way of our success. I loved the quote: “When life happens, you can be either the author of your life or the victim of it. Those are your only two choices – accountable or unaccountable.”
This really spoke to me as so much personal stuff is going on that I need to work around. However, this doesn’t mean I can’t stick to my priorities, I just adjust my schedule when necessary.
On my journey to mastery.
Thanks Connie for a great post!
Yes, accountability is the key. Thanks so much for your comment, Kit.
Connie Ragen Green