subject: The Secret of the Top 5% Super-Achievers [print this page] The Secret of the Top 5% Super-Achievers The Secret of the Top 5% Super-Achievers
In a Q&A session during a recent seminar as a university speaker I was asked the following question, "Marc, is there one single thing that we can do that will transform our lives for the better?"
It was an excellent question and I was eager to respond to it because I believe that if students could be made to understand how procrastination is the killer of dreams and arguably a primary reason for student failure and drop out we could together share a powerful transformational moment.
I began by saying, "please listen very carefully and be certain to write this down because I am going to share with you what I believe to be the single greatest secret of the top 5% of the world's most accomplished people, the top leaders, top academics, top executives and top athletes. The answer is very simple and is comprised of just four incredibly powerful words. Are you ready...here they are: "I do it now!"
So now you ask, what the heck does that mean? Well, most people believe that the human tendency to procrastinate is a universal, innate human trait. After all, nearly everyone does it! And isn't it just normal to put unpleasant or boring actions off until the very last minute? In fact, doesn't everyone you know put off studying until the pressure to study becomes so great that they cannot put it off any longer and they are forced to clear the deck; dig in and start studying for the exam?
And the results are sadly inevitable.
According to one Canadian study, researchers have estimated that up to 95% of college students procrastinate, with as many as 50% procrastinating on a regular basis.
Conversely, the remaining 5% of the college population typically describe themselves as action-takers' and consistently take immediate, committed action toward the successful completion of the task at hand. In short, they are both focused and committed. Thus, we clearly find a big distinction between the two groups. And what a powerful distinction it is.
Now I don't want to overstate the argument for bold action, but I personally believe that this is the key distinction between life's winners and life's losers.
The reason why we procrastinate is simple. The underlying cause is fear. It is fear of failure; it is fear of rejection; it is fear of embarrassment. There are, of course, other factors at work such as distractions like Facebook, email, parties, or laziness and just plain poor study habits. However, we must recognize the severe damage procrastination will, of a certainty, do to our life opportunities.
So the next time, (and every time) you have a task to do. Give your brain an immediate directive; a direct command: "I do it now!"
Do not get distracted.
My promise to you is this.....If you take this new action every time a new task appears you will have infinite control over your destiny in life.
You will be a beast! You will be the go-to person! The one who always gets things done! What a superstar. Who knows, maybe someday you will also become a university speaker who can share your own experiences.
