3-2-1 Success Punch

There is a formula for gaining a quick and knowledgeable perspective on any subject: read three books, listen or watch two audios/videos, and attend one event on the subject…all written or led by different leaders.

 

I’ve used this practice to improve everything from my communication and public speaking skill to simply gaining a more positive mindset. For example, several years ago I got FED UP! I was tired of battling and failing with my financial goals, weight loss goals, and business dreams. I knew I need to get better at setting and executing on goals and being a better leader to my self. So I gave it the 3-2-1 punch.

 

• The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine (book and audio)
• First Things First by Stephen Covey (book, audio later)
• Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing What You Want And Getting It by Henriette Anne Klauser (book)
• Podcasts from Anne Bachrach, FattoFit, The Morning Coach, and several more
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell (audio)
• Watched a live speech by Marcia Wieder founder of Dream University and author of Making Your Dreams Come True
• Also watched Darren live at two different events

 

Did I finally set the right kind of goals and reach them? You freaking bet I did! I not only go back to this topic nearly weekly for continued motivation, but the experience continues to inspire repeating the process in every area of my life.

 

However, as with any habit that is easy to do, it’s also easy not to do.

 

Unfortunately, we can come up with lots of reasons for not reading a book, attending an event, or simply not taking care of our own needs.

 

I Don’t Have Time

This is the heavy-weight opponent of excuses! And yeah, I gotta call bullocks on it!

 

The average adult in the U.S. spends over 18 hours a week in their car, which averages out to 2 hours, 38 minutes per day!1 If you have a CD player or an iPod connection cable, you’ve got over 962 hours a year to listen to audio books, podcasts, recorded webinars and more as you zoom around getting other things done.

 

Audible.com has wiped away the excuse of not having any time to crack a book. Whether you listen while driving, biking, walking, or shopping, you can complete more than a two dozen books a year at least! That is a heck of an education several subjects you’ve got interest in.

 

Swapping Out the Trash
Your brain power is more valuable than ever before. Think about how much time you spend reading non-educational gossip or news, or watching TV. You’ve likely heard before that a person averages 2.4 hours a day watching TV.2 Oh yeah, there’s hard stats behind why those juicy People and tabloid magazines are at next to the checkout registers.

 

Should you avoid US Weekly like the plague? No, but swapping just 3 days a week for some 3-2-1 mental goodness is nearly 30 hours a month of success boosting activity. That is just enough to cover 3 9-hour books, 2 1-hour podcasts, and a 1-hour event. Pow! Bang! Bam! baby.

 

Plus, most of the news and gossip we hear these days is negative, which absolutely has a negative effect on your thoughts and actions.

 

Making the mental diet swap will help you ditch the stinkin’ thinkin’ too and boost your mental capacity and attitude…which is uber attractive!

 

Take Action

Ok, you already know this…no matter how much time you spend feeding your mind the good stuff, if you don’t take action to apply what you learn, you’re doing you and everyone else a disservice. Not to mention that it’s a freaking colossal waste of time.

 

So get in the ring instead of hanging on the ropes!

 

Keep a note pad in your purse, car or desk, or use your phone as a voice recorder to capture any ideas you have that come from what you’re learning.

 

Then, each week pick at least one that you will put into action and follow through on. I like to pick my action item on Saturdays so I have a couple days to nail down my strategy to execute on it in the week ahead.

 

These don’t have, nor will they be earth shattering every time. The simple act of repeatedly trying, testing, giving ideas the ole’ 1-2 punch, has lead to life and business success of some of the wealthiest, most successful entrepreneurs in the world. It can for you as well.

 

“The most constant influence of conditioning that affects our lives, our results and our ability to achieve is the information we feed our mind.” ~ Darren Hardy

 

My Personal Formula

 

• I keep my iPod stocked with at least three books on varying business and personal development topics. I’m constantly switching it up based on the topic, but I always have The Compound Effect, Fierce Conversations, The Barefoot Executive, and now The Firestarter Sessions as standbys for a quick boost.
  • During at least three 45-minute workouts each week and anytime I’m in the car, grocery shopping, cleaning house, or doing yard work I listen and learn.
  • Note: I make a point to pick authors and presenters that either hold different views on a topic or cover both pros and cons of a topic/issue in their material.
• I often buy the physical book as well as the audio book so I can write notes on pages and tag it up with mini-Post-It notes for later reference. Things just stick better with the dual delivery.
• I discuss what I learn with women in the Bootstrap Book Club to gain additional perspective. (Psst…you can join the club for free.)
• I listen to a live call or webinar or download 1-2 recorded podcasts or events each week. Finding them is easy, go to iTunes and type in “Podcast” and the topic you’re interested in. Many of the ones I downloaded were free or less than $1!
• I bookend my days. For 15 minutes in the morning and evening I read or review key parts of what I learned and jot down core lessons or ideas for my business/life that I will take action on.
• As a bonus, I attending an event once a month. Check out Meetup.com or Google events in your area with the topic you want to learn on and you will likely find several, especially ones that have networking components so you can learn with others.
• I also look for blogs on the topics I’m interested in – that counts for reading too!

 

In my own experience, two things have contributed most to my success and happiness. 1. A voracious appetite for consuming and taking action on the teachings of others more successful or knowledgeable than me.  2. Collaborating with others who are attracted to the same practice. These are the hustlers, the move makers, the success takers, and I plan to stay connected to them!

 

Krystina Feucht
Founder | Kickstart Kitchen

 

 

Just One Thing
What have you been dying to learn? WordPress website creation, mediation, email marketing strategies, or something else? Start the 3-2-1 success punch by downloading a book or audio on the topic, and go out there and kick some business butt!

 

We want to learn from you! Comment below and share your favorite mental strengthening habits and why they work for you.

 

 

Need some help putting that great new knowledge and ideas into the right kind of action? That’s our expertise at Kickstart Kitchen, and we’d love to help you weed through your great ideas and execute on the ones that will bring you the success you’re craving.

 

Check out Amp It Up today or get on the Catalyst waiting list to be included in our next program.

 

1 Arbitron 2009 National In-Car Study
2 Nielsen rating statistics