Try this 30-Day Improvement Guide from "The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz

30-Day Improvement Guide

Making improvements involves a process. We improve by taking small steps toward success. We set our goals then act on them gradually. Ideally we all wish we could just take one giant leap and be there but that is not likely to happen for all of us. So in order to improve we plan. An excellent plan as David Schwartz explains in his book, "The Magic of Thinking Big," is to set monthly quotas for accomplishment.

Take a step back and examine yourself. What should you do to make yourself more effective? Use my list below as a reference. Under each of the major headings I've made notes of things I will do in the next 30 days. Then, when the 30-day period is up, I will check my progress and build a new 30-day goal. The idea is to keep working on the "little" things to get you in shape for the big stuff!

A. Breaking Habits

1. Watching TV or being on Facebook B.S.ing  more than 60 minutes per day.

2. Putting things off

3. Hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock twice.

4. Spending stupidly on things like Starbucks twice a day and eating out. Instead I will make my own coffee and pack my own lunch.

5. Ignore gossip - especially in the work place. Change the topic or excuse myself immediately when it approaches me. 

B. Acquire these habits:

1. Taking a close look at my appearance each morning. Does everything I'm wearing make me look successful?

2. Keep an organized calendar of events happening for the month.

3. Compliment people at every possible opportunity.

4. Talk to random people on the street, gym, elevator...anywhere I can.

5. Up my savings to $500 each pay period.

C. Increase my value to my employer in these ways:

1. Learn more about other areas of the company, what the departments do and how they serve the customers.

2. Develop training classes at the company to educate employees on the importance of customer satisfaction and the tools that the marketing department has developed to help ensure customer satisfaction. 

3. Read 30 minutes each day about something that relates to my industry.

4. Keep the company fresh. Improve by developing newer ways to market the company at its services using and helping customers engage easily with the company.

D. Increase my value the value in my home in these ways:

1. Spend at least 2 hours each week with my mother.

2. Connect with my siblings at least once a week.

E. Sharpen my mind in these ways:

1. Invest 30 mins each day reading professional magazines or blogs in my field.

2. Read one-self help book.

3. Continue investing 2 hours in the gym 5 days per week.

4. Make four new friends.

5. Spend 30 minutes daily in quiet, undisturbed thinking.

Life is on track

It feels great to share my life with you. I haven't posted anything in since my Survival Race in the beginning of the month because I have been busy living life.

I've been doing sonly duties by keeping my mother entertained every weekend. I've been to Atlantic City twice this month. First time I lost my tie and the second time I lost the shirt - so if you find any of them please return it. We've also spent some quality time at some German festivals on Long Island where we loaded up on bavarian pretzels and bratwurst.  In all, we have been enjoying ourselves.

Photo from tunneltotowersrun.org

At the end of September I will be running another 5k from the Battery Tunnel in NYC to the Twin Towers site in honor of a deceased firefighter who ran the same route during the tragic 9/11. I must add that I had a minor sport injury (my big toe got jammed) that may affect my performance, but I do not plan on quitting the race. 

I have continued working out 5 days per week. I am noticing a huge difference in my body. I'm doing more reps and sets with heavier weights. I'm running about 4 miles everyday (compared to the 2 miles that I ran before). I could see some abs piercing their way through the flab in my belly. I'm feeling healthy. 

At work, I've taken a closer look at my performance and found ways to improve. This year everything is going to bigger and better. I'm in the process of launching a new Holiday campaign which I am psyched about. It involves 36 elf hats, a digital landing page, mass digital press release and preparing for hundreds of gift donations to deliver to over 50 deserving families. It's quite awesome! I am also considering going back to school. I am thinking about a Law degree - not too sure yet. But it does have my mind working. 

In the meantime, I have managed to save enough money to purchase a home. I am having a hard time parting with it but I am going to begin the search very soon. I'm currently in the process of finding a lender that will finance at least 50% of the purchase price. Wish me luck.

Overall, I have to say life is on track. I'm loving every minute.

Sometimes all you need is some NIKE attitude.

The Survival Race – Riverhead, NY, September 8, 2012 – Sometimes all you need is some Nike attitude that says, “Just shut up and do it.” This weekend a friend and I fought through a friendly, hardcore physical challenge one that was good for the soul. Voluntarily, we ran through pools of mud, crawled under bar wire, leaped over slippery walls then got fire hosed down with freezing cold water. Best words to describe the experience are awakening and refreshed.

The challenge put our strength and endurance to the ultimate test. The Survival Race was a 5k obstacle course that took us through the wet woods, onto sandy beaches then off to the finish line where we dove into a pool of mud to cool down. The race took us a quick fort-five minutes to complete. We enjoyed it so much we have already planned on doing several other races just like it very soon.   

Do we like throwing ourselves into pools of mud? Well, yes, but that is not why we decided to do the challenge. Yes, it was difficult but we did it because we both set goals for ourselves. We promised that we would keep our bodies physically healthy and active and this was the perfect opportunity to reap the rewards for doing so.

Start training and join me at the Tough Mudder, the planet’s toughest physical challenge, on June 1, 2013 – Sign up for team “MUD DEEP’ here - https://www.raceit.com/register/groups/join.aspx?event=13400&id=6306200&group=238226 - password: mudderfacebook

Just incase you are afraid of the Tough Mudder challenge let me share this:

Today the executive vice president of my company passed on some of his wisdom by defining FEAR. He said FEAR stands for “False Evidence Appearing Real.”  And remember think like NIKE “Just shut up and do it.”

6 Practical Steps to Make the Money You Want From “Think and Grow Rich”

If you share the same burning desire that I have you will use these six money-motivating steps from the book “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill to prep yourself for the life you’ve always wanted. It is important that you follow the instructions precisely – especially the instructions Napoleon Hill gives in the sixth step. It’s not impossible to see your self in possession of the money before you have it. This is where your burning desire will kick in. If you truly desire something to the point of obsession, you will have no problem believing that you will have it.

Enjoy the knowledge that Napoleon Hill shares so generously in his book “Think and Grow Rich” and use the information with total respect and make sure your actions to achieve wealth are just and fair.

First:

Fix in your mind the exact amount of money you desire. It is not sufficient merely to say, “I want plenty of money.” Be definite as to the amount. (There is psychological reason for definiteness, which is described, in a subsequent chapter in “Think and Grow Rich”)

Second:

Determine exactly what you intend to give in return for the money you desire. (There is no such reality as “something for nothing”)

Third:

Establish a definite date when you intend to possess the money you desire.

Fourth:

Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire, and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.

Fifth:

Write out a clear, concise statement of the amount of money you intend to acquire, name the time limit for its acquisition, state what you intend to give in return for the money, and describe clearly the plan through which you intend to accumulate it.

Sixth:

Read your written statement aloud, twice daily, once just before retiring at night, and once after arising in the morning. AS YOU READ – SEE AND FEEL AND BELIEVE YOURSELF ALREADY IN THE POSSESSION OF THE MONEY.  

Goal-Setting Worksheet | First step to taking responsibility...

Writing your goals down digitally or on paper is step 1 to setting goals. It took me nearly 2 days to fill out this goal-setting worksheet online. That's four one-hour train rides to work and back home, two one-hour lunch breaks and two one and a half hours of no gym - and still I am not 100% complete. However, I have a pretty good base here to start chasing my goals.  

When filling out the worksheet I didn't know where to start. I found it easier to focus on the right-side of the worksheet first where you could list your goals by categories: Career Goals, Financial Goals, Educational Goals, Health and Fitness Goals, Community Involvement,  Aim for Greater Self-Understanding, Spiritual Growth and Leisure Time (or Personal Enrichment Goals). Figuring out those first helped me write my Long-Term Goals (10 Years), Short-Term Goals (5 Years) and Immediate Goals (6 months to 1 year). 

The key to writing down your goals is to be very specific. For example, if your goal is to "own a fancy, luxury car" rather than being so vague say "I want to drive a Porsche 911." If your goal is for weight loss, instead of saying "I want to lose weight" say " I want to lose 50 pounds." Being specific helps you measure success because 10 years from now when you are driving down the road in your brand new Porsche 911 and 50 pounds lighter you'll feel that sense of accomplishment! 

Also I must note, be realistic! If your goal is to "beat Michael Jordan in a game of basketball" ask your self what is the likelihood of meeting Michael Jordan and playing him in a game of basketball and winning? Not saying that it is impossible, but it's better to set goals that are within your control. 

Good luck filling in your goal-setting worksheet! Feel free to share your goals with me at ddiaz02@gmail.com. Check out my goal worksheet below.

 

Dennis' Goal-Setting Worksheet