How To Do Anything
I write a lot about physical related challenges. I realize not everyone is interested in them – and that’s okay (you’re certainly not required to read anything I write). But, the interesting thing about doing new and challenging things is that the the process of acquiring those skills and challenging yourself is the same whether you’re trying to run a triathlon, get six pack abs, or learning to knit. While, I’m not going to write about knitting here, the fact is that doing anything is pretty simple and remarkably similar throughout a variety of skills, no matter what it is that you’re tyring to knock off your impossible list.
Do impossible things is a science – a straightforward process you can replicate over and over and over again. So, if you find yourself wanting to do something, anything and not knowing where to start – here you go.
How To Do Anything You Want
1. Know what you want.
Know what you want. This is simpler than you might think, but a lot of people get stuck here. Know what you want. Be precise and specific. Don’t say “I want to get in shape.” Say “I want to run 5 miles in 45 minutes”, “I want to finish a triathlon in 90 minutes”, or “I want six pack abs in 8 weeks”. Know exactly what you want, find out the tradeoffs you’ll have to make to get there, and decide that it’s worth it.
Then commit, and go do it.
Know what you want.
2. Start Small
I started this journey two years ago with a indoor triathlon. That changed everything for me. Over time, I built up to sprint, olympic and half-distance triathlons. Now, the only thing left to do is a full triathlon – an Ironman. 2 years ago, that would have been absolutely impossible for me to imagine. Now, it’s just a few months away.
Have big, scary, impossible goals, but start small. If you start small, at least you’ll start. Then you can make small changes over time and realize huge gains. But, if you try to start big, you might end up so scared and intimidated by your goals, that you never start, never change and never do anything.
Start small.
3. Be Consistent.
Consistency is what separates people who make lasting changes and people who don’t. If you know what you want, make small changes and do it every once in a while, you might succeed…every once in a while. But, if you’re consistent, and consistently know what you want, make small changes, push your limits, you’ll find your abilities tend to grow and expand and soon you’ll be able to do things you never thought you’d be able to do.
Be consistent – consistently.
If you want to do anything, it’s pretty simple. Know what you want and make sure it’s worth the tradeoff. Start small and make small changes along the way – each pushing your limits of what you’re capable of. Be consistent and do it consistently. Then, all you have to add is time.
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Checking in from Chicago, Jeff and Marla Sarris from Spyr Media snapped this photo before doing the late ride in Chicago – an all night ride through the city. Want to get in the impossible gallery? Grab an impossible shirt or tank from the gear site, go do something impossible and take a photo. BOOM.
photo credit: Sanctuary photography → No Longer Active
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This is good, and it’s exactly how I’m changing my reality! In the last two years I’ve gone from a drudge-worthy job, that was slowly sucking the life out of me, to being my own boss and carving daily naps into my work schedule (that’s physical, right?)
It took four years to take the leap but, as you say, little by little, the changes come. Learn something here, try a new thing there, and do this every day, every day, every day. Now I’m happier beyond measure, and learning cool new stuff all the time.
Good stuff!!! Consistency is important b/c it can make a huge impact on your life – both positive and negative! If you consistently watch tv every night for 5 hours, you will probably be a little over weight and unfullfilled. On the other hand, if you consistently wake up in the morning for a 5 mile run, then you will get in shape and have a sense of accomplishment. #beconsistent!
Hey Joel, what do you think about the opposite approach to starting small: starting too big?
The whole idea being that it will make you hit the ground really running and probably advance faster.
I think that, as long as you have no fear of failure and set up scheduled down times (like Tim Ferriss’ cheat days), this approach will get you to your goal faster and with more extremeness.
Cheers.
P.S. Joel, I like how you restated each step at the end of it. Really simple way to bring the mind back to the big picture after delving in a bit. I’m gonna remember that.
P.P.S. Just read your last post, The Intensity Tradeoff, which answered my question quite neatly. So instead I wanna ask, which do you find best?
Hey Joel,
These are great tips on how to get what you want in life – thanks! Simple yet powerful.
Despite how “obvious” these 3 tips may sound, I think we could all use a reminder every now and then!
Excellent stuff !!! These tips are not just tips but key to open any door of life !!
The whole idea being that it will make you hit the ground really running and probably advance faster.
Yeppers, love this. I’d also add – remember that often, we think things take longer than hey actually do. Aim high, and know that you’ll get there sooner than you think! (Says the girl who blew her 7 month goal out of the water in less than 3 weeks!)