A Few Quick Thoughts on How to Make Your 2018 Great

“Forget mistakes, forget failures, forget everything, except what you’re going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day.” – Will Durant

In the next coming weeks you'll see gyms packed to the brim, resolutions obsessively pursued, and maybe even a decline in Netflix binges. Okay, maybe not the last one.

With each new year comes a new beginning and an opportunity to shake off a dozen months that may or may not have gone as well as we would have liked.

But not long after the ball drops you will see those bold declarations thwarted and quickly forgotten.

Why?

I think there are two main reasons:

1. We try to do too much at once

2. Our resolutions are not driven by a sustainable "Why"

So what we can do about it?

Part of our success in life hinges on our ability to take on less, NOT more. Warren Buffett is famously known for turning down 99 % of the opportunities that come his way. Bill Gates credits his massive success to one quality: Focus

We can reverse engineer our thinking and subsequently our ability to achieve more by taking on less. By doing so we steadily develop our capacity to do those few things REALLY well rather than dabbling in mediocrity.

It's also important to ease into those few projects we do decide to take on. If we want to lose 20 lbs we can't expect to jettison that extra weight moments after our new gym membership has been processed. Start slow and gradually build your way up. 

Two things happen as a result:

-- you begin to develop consistency

-- your confidence grows

Second, we have to know why we're doing what we're doing. Why are you training for that marathon? Yes, it's admirable, impressive even, but is it what YOU want to do?

If you don't have some type of stake in the mission at hand then its nearly impossible to sustain the momentum needed to see it through.

By tapping into your "why," you'll have the capacity to endure those times when you want to give in. 

Make it About Something Bigger than Yourself

Often a very effective foundation for staying on the path is looking outside ourselves. When we raise necessity and understand others are depending on us to see a project through there's very little, if anything that can stop us. 

Happy New Year and thank you all for the remarkable support in 2017! 
Wishing you all ENORMOUS happiness and success in 2018.

Much Love,

Nick Maccarone

Some Quick Takes on the Importance of Reading by the Super Successful

Bill Gates

"I don't let myself start a book that I'm not going to finish," Bill Gates said in a recent interview. He regularly takes notes in the margins of his books to ensure he's concentrating on the information he's taking in. 

Gates also believes it's important to constantly ask yourself how you feel about the author's perspective. Do you agree, or disagree? He claims if he disagrees with a writer it becomes increasingly difficult to finish the book because his notes begin to pile up. 

What's important is the fact he's engaged and thinking critically.

Elon Musk

Elon Musk reportedly finished reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica by the time he was 9 years old. He credits his love of reading for much of his success. When asked how he learned so much about rocket science he responded by simply saying, "I read books."

Warren Buffett 

Warren Buffett also loves reading. A lot. The second richest man in the world says he reads between 5-6 hours a day. "You can learn so much," Buffet says. "I particularly love biographies. To be able to live the lives of these people seems so extraordinary -- the lessons, the discouragements they faced. Just everything about it. You can't get enough of reading"

Embrace Your Strengths

At one point in life or another we may have wished we were wired differently. Maybe you wish you had the entrepreneurial spirit of a Steve Jobs, or Jeff Bezos. Perhaps you wish you understand numbers like Warren Buffett, or could nimbly dribble around opposing players like Lionel Messi. Sometimes we long for the strengths of others because we're told by society we should or because the marketplace places a high premium on those skill sets.

But it's also important to recognize the talents you have that don't come as easily to others. Maybe your gift is understanding people, or patience. It might be working with children, or listening. Just because your abilities are not as glamorous doesn't mean they aren't of great value.

Identify your strengths, be grateful for them, find ways to build upon them, and then find someone to add that value to.

Buffett's Rules

As the story goes, business magnate and investor Warren Buffett was once trying to help one of his employee reach greater heights in personal and financial life.

"Make a list of 25 goals you have in life. Don't hold back, don't over-think it, just write em' out."

The gentlemen did as he was told and soon came up with the list. "Here they are," he said.

"Good," Buffett said. "Now, circle your top 3 and pour every ounce of your being into seeing those goals through. You know what you do with the other ones?" he asked.

"Sure," the man said. "Chip away at them when I have the time."

"No!" Buffett exclaimed. "Throw them away and avoid them at all costs."

Find your vital functions, zero in on them, and cut out all other distractions. Heighten your focus.