Awesome Alchemist

A Student of The Ancient Art of Combining Ordinary Matters into Something Awesome

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Do Your Job

The New England Patriots won Super Bowl LI in record setting fashion. I’ve never been a Pats fan, but I have tremendous respect for them. Many people were surprised by how the game turned out. Some people were upset about how the game turned out. The fact that they won was not surprising. They were the favorite before kickoff. It’s the way they won that was surprising. One moment it looked hopeless and the next their victory seemed inevitable. By the end of the game, even the Atlanta Falcons appeared to be in awe of champions doing what champions do. Make history.

There are many reasons that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have been so successful and even more theories. I heard a mantra that the organization believes in that may help reveal some of the magic. Three simple words. “Do Your Job”. Here are three useful interpretations.

Do Your Job

Action.

The first way to look at this slogan is that it is focused on doing. Action is required. Do your job, but don’t just do it. Really do it. Be in the moment. Don’t just go through the motions. Do your very best. Get it done.

Do Your Job

Accountability.

Another way we can see this motto is that it challenges us to focus on our own personal assignment rather than what other people should or should not be doing. Control what you can control and do your part. Results matter. Be accountable for your own effort and results. Do your job and trust that the score will take care of its self.

Do Your Job

Responsibility.

This powerful maxim can also highlight the importance of doing what other people are counting on you to do. Your job as a teammate (in anything in life) is to complete the task assigned to you to the best of your ability. If it doesn’t get done then you let people down. It doesn’t really matter what else you were busy doing if you didn’t do your job. Nobody can do it for you. It’s your function or purpose in this moment. Your obligation and duty. It’s your job.

DO YOUR JOB

Action. Accountability. Responsibility. It’s how champions make history.

Models, Mentors, Managers and Masterminds

The people in our lives shape who we become, therefore we should choose those people as carefully as we can. As Joshua Fields Millburn says, “You can’t change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.” You may not be able to explicitly choose every person in your life, but you’re more likely to be surrounded by the right people if you give thought to who the right people are.

First lets discuss the four different types of people or roles who have a major impact on your life and then we’ll get into some of the specific areas where you should be aware of the people who influence you. Some people can play more than one role at the same time, or change roles over time and they can influence you in multiple areas of your life.

Models

Humans model their behavior based on what other humans do. We can’t help it. We can play a very active behavior in choosing some of the behaviors that we model, but we are simply wired to act like other people so we should try to choose wisely when selecting the people we model. We call them role models, idols, heros, archetypes and even stars.

What makes models different from the other roles is that you don’t have a direct interaction with them. That means they can be alive or dead, near or far, real or fictional. They are simply the people you admire and want to be more like whether you know it or not.

Models are like the target we are aiming for.

Mentors

Mentors are different than models because there is a relationship. Mentors have already done the thing you are trying to do and provide you with feedback. Sometimes even a tiny amount of feedback from the right person at the right time can make all the difference. Mentors provide advice, guidance and help. Both mentees and mentors benefit from the relationship, but the flow of information is usually one way, from the mentor to the mentee. The relationship is usually motivated by some sort of exchange other than money.

Mentors are the Models that we know.

Managers

Managers are the people who are paid to compel you do the things you are supposed to do, and do them better. Sometimes they are paid by you and sometimes by others. Other names include, supervisor, coach, teacher, trainer, instructor, consultant, boss, official and officer. These relationships are also defined by a mostly one way flow of information. The manager provides information and ideally, encouragement. There are many different “management styles” but “coaching” has proven to be one of the most effect. The process involves; providing information, experience and feedback. Their specialized knowledge, experience and outside perspective is essential for maximum results. The best at anything and everything have coaches because it is the only way to become your very best.

Managers help us push our limits and are required for excellence.

Masterminds

Masterminds are about a mutual exchange of information. When people come together for a “brainstorming session” or when they “bounce ideas” they are masterminding. Two or more minds working together on anything is greater than the sum of it’s parts and creates a combined Master Mind. Masterminds are often called a council, committee, board of directors, board of advisors, trustees, cabinet and even brain trust. The groups are supreme at generating ideas, setting goals and holding each other accountable for achieving goals.

Masterminds fuel creativity and accelerate achievement.

4Mx10

There are no perfect people so it makes sense that we may admire some qualities of a person while not liking other aspects. That’s why we should choose the people we admire for the specific traits we admire them for, or the specific area of life where we would like to emulate their results.

I’ve identified several different areas of my life where I want to continue to improve and where I believe finding the best models, mentors, managers and masterminds is one of the best ways to do so.

I created a document to help me identify and keep track of who these people are. If you want your own copy so you can identify your own 4Mx10 people, post a comment below.

The Symphony of Life

Some people write music.

Some people play an instrument.

Some people conduct an orchestra.

Each one is essential.

Maturity

Being mature doesn’t just mean that you’re grown up. Being mature is a mindset. It takes practice. It takes time. It can be taught.

“Maturity is the ability to stick to a job until its finished, the ability to do the job without being supervised, the ability to carry money without spending it, and the ability to bear an injustice without wanting to get even.”

– Dear Abbey

Why I love going to the gym

I love going to the gym late at night. I go to 24-Hour Fitness, so I can go any time, but late at night there are no crowds and no waiting.  There are few distractions and it is easy to focus on the task at hand.

I’ve always known that staying in shape makes me feel and look better. I have more energy and it improves the quality of my sleep. I have recently realized that another major benefit is that I feel better about myself when I work out too. I feel proud that I am keeping a promise to myself.

I’ve also realized that going to the gym is very rewarding because I know EXACTLY what my goals are. I know what muscle groups I will work and what exercises I will do. I know how long it will take. I even know how I will feel when I am done.

The lesson that I have learned is that having clearly defined goals and self imposed time constraints can help me in every aspect of my life.

Do you like to go to the gym?

Have you had success using specific short-term goals and deadlines to get more done and feel a sense of accomplishment?

Leave a comment below!