The post was titled "12 Things Successful People Do Differently"
Feeling relatively unsuccessful at the moment, I gave the twelve things a whirl.
And like the guy who finally discovers that the girl he has dreamed about is not just stupid, but bat shit crazy, I gave a gentle sigh, and scrolled to the next post.
When we come across dissatisfying crap, sometimes we are able to let it go. But sometimes the back of our brains, the part that makes us giggle to ourselves, doesn't want to let it go. Sometimes on the ride home we tune out NPR and start to posit alternative things. Sometimes we are giggling to ourselves so loudly that we have to explain to our wives what it is that we are giggling about. Sometimes, we sit at the kitchen table helping our children with their homework, and have to explain again what it is that we are giggling about and have to try to explain S.M.A.R.T. plans to a six year old who only wants to finish his homework so he can have some ice cream. Sometimes wine is involved and we find ourselves sitting at the computer.
So here it is. 12 Things That Successful People do Differently. Followed step by step with things that will actually make you successful.
1. They create and pursue SMART Goals.
Fuck SMART goals. Show up on time with a reasonable amount of enthusiasm.
2. They take decisive and immediate action.
Life is not combat, if it can wait, let it.
3. They focus on being productive, not busy.
Check your email only once a day.
4. They make logical, informed decisions.
Except when they're taking decisive immediate action.
5. They avoid the trap of trying to make things perfect.
They make things pretty
6. They work outside of their comfort zone.
They enjoy the shit out of their comfort zone
7. They keep things simple.
Brevity . . . Wit.
8. They focus on making small, continuous improvements
They know when they're done polishing that turd.
9. They measure and track their progress.
They get tattoos
10. They maintain positive outlook as they learn from their mistakes.
They clear their browser history after master-bating to pornography.
11. They spend their time with the right people.
They spend their time with people that make them laugh.
12. They maintain balance in their life.
They hug a lot, because four feet are better than two.
Now there are, of course, two addendum's that I would like to add to this. First, no. 7 is actually a joke from the Simpsons (so sorry for the plagiarism, but it makes me laugh even damn time) and two, I don't advocate getting a tattoo.
The reason I've written this is because the person who posted the original note on Facebook is one of the few wonderful people in my life who taught me the true secret to success:
Love things. Find beauty. Ache if you must. Then come hug me.
I love you Deb.
