Life is becoming too complex. There is too much going on, too much information overloading our lives. Our minds are wandering aimlessly in the digital clouds, following every aspect of the lives of others and keeping up with what's trending daily.And if we continue this way our heads will explode. Well probably not literally, but certainly we cannot possibly filter the constant and never-ending stream of information, and somehow hope to maintain productivity in our own lives.You may disagree, but I observe that people are doing more and more, yet seemingly achieving less and less. I hear people constantly saying how busy they are, that they don't have time to exercise, don't have time to spend with their families, don't have time to sleep, don't have time to do the things they'd really love to do. Why are we so busy? Technology was meant to make life easier, not more complicated.
I myself am guilty of this! So what can be done to make sure that we achieve the things in life that are important to us?
Well I have a challenge for you. Try to follow these 4 rules for the next few months. Don't forget to use the hashtag when sharing your ideas, photos and experiences on social media. If you have a great tip to share with others then make sure to include the hashtag. If you mention @mrdavidtiong in your tweets then I can retweet as well.
Rule 1: Be Now - use the hashtag #BeNow
Life is getting more complex. Apparently we must do this, and we must do that. With no time to stop, breathe and reflect, how do we know where we have been, where we are now, or where we are going?"Be Now" is about stopping right now and looking at where you are. It's about being aware of what is happening around you. Aware of what is happening in your own life. Aware of your momentum. Are you moving forwards, are you moving backwards, or do you think you are moving but really you are staying in the same spot, like running on a treadmill? Decide where you want to be this time next year, and think backwards from that goal to see the path that joins where you are now, with that place you want to be. Do you really want to be in the same spot you are now, or perhaps you would like to be closer to reaching your dreams and aspirations?Life is short, so don't just show up. Be present, be where you want to be. Don't waste your time or the precious time of others. Do you really need to read each article, do you really need to understand every concept, do you really need to learn that latest trick?If you think you do then you will never have enough time in the day or night to get to where you want to be.#BeNow is all about continuously being aware of exactly where you are at each moment in time. Being aware of how you feel. Being aware of the people around you and your relationships with them. Being aware of what is filling your day. This is the only way to keep on track with your purpose and your why.
Rule 2: Be Short - use the hashtag #BeShort
This is not an excuse to be rude to others by being short with them, nor the permission to take shortcuts when you shouldn't.No, this is all about not over-complicating things. Think simplicity and minimalism. What 3 steps do you need to reach that dream or goal? Keep procedures simple! Obviously some projects and activities require many little tasks, however keep on track by trying to break each task into 3 steps. If you think in 3 steps then it's easier to keep from running on the spot or chasing your tail in circles. Layout the 3 steps. Write them down. Tick them off when you are done.Start today with your first step. Whenever you are faced with a new task, stop and decide if it's really important. Is it really necessary? Is it really going to get you where you want to be? Note that I'm not saying to be selfish and neglect others if they don't fit into your goals. What I am saying is that we often decide to take on tasks that we think are important to our businesses and to our lives, however if we consider how they actually fit into the bigger picture, then we might see that often they are not actually important at all.#BeShort is all about seeing the bigger picture and thinking what can I eliminate to simplify. Eg. If you type an email, before you hit the send button, stop and think about the purpose of that email. Will this purpose be clear and obvious to the receiver? Can this email be read and responded to in 3 minutes? Remember that people have limited time and limited concentration so #BeShort#BeShort is about seeing the shortest path between 2 places - where you are and where you want to be, the start of a project and the end of a project, the pain of a problem and the joy of a solution.
Rule 3: Be Bold - use the hashtag #BeBold
A boy and his dad were walking along a path one afternoon. Ahead they could see that there was water across the path. The boy turned to his dad and asked "What chance do you think I have of jumping all the way across that big puddle?"The dad paused for a moment and then replied "It's a big jump, do you think you would make it?" The boy then decided that he wouldn't try because he might land in the water. So the pair walked around the puddle and continued on their way.Suddenly the dad burst out "You had no chance of making that jump". To this the boy glared at his dad in disgust, then turned around, took a run up and leapt over the puddle with ease. "See you were wrong dad".The dad smiled, "No I wasn't wrong son. As long as you thought that you couldn't make it, you had no chance whatsoever. But when you changed your mind and decided that you could do it, then you took a chance and made it happen."This is what #BeBold is all about. Taking risks, making mistakes, realising that sitting safely on the sidelines watching the game go by doesn't get you anywhere.So be bold, be brave. Remember that if you are failing, then you are actually getting somewhere. "It is better to fail at doing something, than succeed at doing nothing".The following comment, from possibly the greatest basketball player of all time, sums up #BeBold
"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." ~ Michael Jordan
Rule 4: Be True - use the hashtag #BeTrue
What does it mean to Be True? In simple terms it means to be a real and genuine person- authentic, not a faker, not a hypocrite.Often in our quest to reach our destination, we start to lose our originality and our individuality. So remember who you are. Don't strive to be someone else, someone you're not.
I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always pushing myself to be aware of that and be original ~ Aaliyah
Remember who you are and why you have chosen your path, make time to reflect, to breathe and to share with others. Being true is about being you and being thankful for what you have - both your talents and your imperfections.People will tell you what you should or shouldn't do. It's easy to get caught up in what is trivial or superficial. Be sure to stay true to your core values. Follow your instincts and let your values determine your choices in life and business. Don't be afraid to be honest.Being true is also essential in your relationships. True friends can be relied on whether you're happy or sad, whether times are good or times are tough. Be a true friend.Be True is also about doing what is right - Give more than you take. Be Generous. You can apply this philosophy in so may areas of life, in relationships and in work.
Getting Started
Start today. #BeNow #BeShort #BeBold #BeTrue. Try the challenge and take back control of where you are and where you are going. Share the images above by hovering over them and share to your Social streams.
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