“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” ~Michelangelo

What do I want specifically?  And why should you  care?  Well, you should care because I am going to show you a process of achieving more in less time and feeling great along the way.  That should, and I mean should, interest you.  So, what do I want specifically?

I want a book published by September 17th.  I want it available in a least 2 formats: 1) A downloadable Ebook and 2) A printed version.  I want all of the ground work done, the work behind the scenes, so that this book is a great seller for me.  This is my Outcome - the O in my OPA project.  I am as specific as I can be here so that I can focus my energy and my attention.  In the next entry we will look at Purpose - the P in my OPA project and this is where things will start to really move!

Till next time…Jack

“One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.” ~A. A. Milne

“Never measure the height of a mountain, until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was.” -Dag Hammarskjold

I will have a book published and for sale by the end of the business day Wednesday September 17th. Great! I have made that commitment. Now, how do I make sure that happens? (Especially since I still have not yet selected the topic of this book.)

First I will put these three pieces together. 1) I will figure out what I want. (My Outcome - as specific as I can determine this early on in the process.) 2) Why do I want it. (My Purpose - what it will mean to me to have it done.) 3) What do I need to do, and by when, to make this happen? (My Actions - what specifically do I need to do.) In my language, I will put together an OPA Project - Outcome, Purpose, Action.

The concept of an OPA Project is not mine. It comes from my time with the great coach and speaker Anthony Robbins. Thanks Tony. I encourage you to watch how I lay out this project over the next 3 months. I think you will find it interesting and useful.

Till next time…Jack

“Challenge is the space between what is and what can be.” ~ Joshua L. Hilley

“How am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I’m committed to?” ~Anthony Robbins

Yesterday, I made a public commitment that I would have my first book for sale, in at least 2 formats, by 5pm Central Time on Wednesday September 17th, 2008.  Why did I make that commitment here on this blog?  I did it to get leverage on myself.

For me, and for most people that I know, it is easy to break promises that are made just to ourselves.  When the promise is made to someone else however, someone that I like and respect, I feel terrible if I don’t fulfill that promise.  Since I know this, if I am having an issue getting something done, then it is time to make a public commitment.  This is exactly what I did on this blog yesterday and I can feel the power of this working already.

This is negative motivation and it is very powerful.  I do most of my work, with myself and with others, from a place of positive motivation.  There are times however, and this is one of them for me, when I also need the away from “push” of a strong negative motivator.  I don’t want to feel the bad feelings that would be there for me should I not achieve my public goal; so I know I will take the actions that I have been putting off.

This power of the commitment to someone else, someone that you like and respect, is one of the reasons that coaching can be so effective.  A good coach will be asking you to make well-planned and achievable commitments each and every time you work with them.  What is well-planned and achievable?  That is another conversation.

Till next time…Jack

“Nothing interferes with my concentration.  You could put on an orgy in my office and I wouldn’t look up.  Well, maybe once.” ~Isaac Asimov

“I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.” ~Author Unknown

I have been trying to write a book, actually a number of books, for nearly 3 years now.  Some are nearly done, others are ready to present to publishers - title, 3 chapters or so, concept and market research; still none of them are done!  Time to change that.

The reasons for completing the first book are compelling.  The excuses for why the first book is not yet published are seeming trivial now.  So here is my commitment: By 5pm, Central Time Zone, Wednesday September 17th, my first book will be for sale - in at least 2 versions - in at least a physical paper version and a downloadable version.  That is my commitment to myself, my readers, my family and friends and my clients.

What will the book be about?  I haven’t decided which one to bring out first. I will make that decision soon and you can read about it here.

Till next time…Jack

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are.  I don’t believe in circumstances.  The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.” ~G.B. Shaw, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, 1893

Hi everyone.  Just a quick update.  I closed out my last Colorado phone number last week and activated a new phone account in this region.  My phone number, for at least awhile, is: (515) 360-4711

All the best and bye for now…Jack

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~Anna Quindlen, New York Times

I intend to release 5 Ebooks between now, November 13th, 2007 and November 12th, 2008. It feels great to say that! I intend to use this blog as a way of ensuring that I continue to consistently put effort into these books. I also want to use the blog to get initial feedback from my writing and to develop an audience ahead of time.

Each book will go thru at least the following steps: Read the rest of this entry »

“I love being a writer. What I can’t stand is the paperwork.” ~Peter De Vries

I am going to be a best selling non-fiction author. This is going to be a significant part of my future life and my future income.

Wow! I feel the electricity running down my spine as I write those words!

I start all work with a client or with myself with this analysis:

• What do you want?
• Why do you want it?
• What will it be like when you get there? (Visceral, exciting and compelling descriptions only please!)
• How soon will you make this happen?
• How will you know when you get there…how will you measure this?
• What actions do you need to take to achieve it?
• What do you already have or know that will help you?
• What do you already know that you will need to learn?
• What do you already know are obstacles that you will need to get past?
• How will you keep yourself on track?
• What actions will you take starting right now?

So here is my own analysis for me on this goal, my analysis for me about my own fierce intention:
I just said what I want: “I am going to be a best selling non-fiction author. This is going to be a significant part of my future life and my future income.”

Here are just a few of the reasons why I want this: Read the rest of this entry »