Think about taking small but consistent action

Did you start this year with big ambitions? Did you set big goals for yourself? This is going to be your year right?

That’s great and I hope you achieve what you are looking for. I just hope you’re not taking the wrong approach.

You may think that your life needs to take massive steps every once in awhile for everything to be better. You try really hard for a month, but don’t see results. You think what you’re doing isn’t working. However that’s the wrong attitude.

It’s the small choices done repeatedly over time that will have the biggest factor in your outcome. 

These small choices result in unnoticeable changes by your or others. Reading ten pages of a business book a day isn’t going to make a big change, right? How about saying no to a can of Coke?

Making small gradual changes goes again the instant result culture we’re accustomed to. Just as we microwave our meals to be ready quickly, we want to lose 20 pounds in just a week, and make thousands of dollars after a month of trying.

Many don’t contribute to their IRA because they’d rather use the money now. Plus it doesn’t seem like it makes much money anyways.

So these small choices don’t offer a huge difference and obvious change so why even bother?

Because one day those small choices are going to lead to massive results.

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Why do we want to learn how to be a loser? Because we want to be successful in whatever we do, so we have to learn what not to do.

Find out what the unsuccessful do, and do the opposite! It’s simple, but a great reminder to make sure we’re doing the right things.

You probably know someone who you could learn a lot about what not to do. It would be a wealth of information.

I know someone like that and I’ll share at the end of the post.

Here are some ways to be a loser in life.

1) Wakes up and see how the day goes. Takes things day by day. Doesn’t have goals. Just turns on the computer and decides where to begin.

2) Loves to blame others. Looks outwards for any problems in life. Points fingers. Blames the economy. Blames the weather. Never takes responsibility.

3) Complains a lot. Will talk about their problems with anyone. Never shuts up about them. Does absolutely nothing about changing their situation. Complains about everything.

4) Fears change. Change is bad. Change is evil. Would rather stay safe and boring.

5) Lives someone else’s dream. Finds a career just to please others.

6) Believes being busy means working hard. Doing unimportant things all day long. Running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Wonders why they are always so busy, but haven’t made any progress on their goals.

7) Close friends all have no motivation in life. All their friends wish for a better life, but never do anything. Lots of time is spent complaining about life.

8 ) Believes life isn’t fair. Nothing goes right. Always feels unlucky. Has never gotten a break. Blames others.

9) Reads only fiction books. Reading is great, but only reads for entertainment.

10) News junkie. It’s news in the morning. News all day on the computer. Night time news shows. Local and national news.

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He found success in his 40's

Last time I wrote a post about people who found success starting in their 30′s, and it got amazing feedback. Some wanted to know if hope was there for 40 year olds. There definitely is!

I just read a 2009 survey that said the average median age of 539 company founders when they started their current companies in a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, computer and electronics, health care, and services, was 40. (This is consistent with their previous research, which found the average and median age of technology company founders to be 39).

For this post, I have actors and entrepreneurs on the list. You might not want to be an actor, but their stories are inspiring. Plus being a television/movie star is one of the most difficult professions to succeed in. So to be a working, successful actor for many years is a huge achievement.

Steve Carrell

America’s favorite 40 year old virgin got his big break in his 40’s.

Earlier in his career he was a mail carrier, but fired cause he wasn’t efficient enough. He planned on applying to law school, but was unable to write an explanation why he wanted to be a lawyer on his application form.

He then turned to acting. He did some children’s theater and a commercial. He got a minor role in a movie. He had some small roles in short lived television shows.

Some fans will remember him as a correspondent on the Daily Show starting at the age of 37. That lasted for six years.

I first remember him as a hilarious news anchor in Bruce Almighty. He was 41 years old. Then things started to get better. The next year, he had a memorable supporting role in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

In 2005, Carrell signed a deal with NBC to star in The Office. Though the first season’s ratings were mediocre, they renewed the show due to the anticipate success of his first starring role, The 40 Year Old Virgin. Their guess was correct.

That movie established Carrell as a leading man at 43. It was a huge hit!

That translated to The Office becoming a hit on television. In his third year on The Office, he was paid approximately $175,000 per episode! There were 25 episodes that season, so you do the math.

Since leaving The Office in 2011, he has focused on his movie career playing comedic and dramatic roles.

Hard to imagine Steve Carrel not making audiences laugh, but it took him awhile to let people know his true comedic abilities. For him, it took a series of small roles, till he got his first starring role in The 40 Year Old Virgin that changed his career forever.

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I’ve written about making positive changes to help you live a better and more fulfilling life. I’ve inspired you with my story that you’re capable of your wildest dreams.

I’m going to be honest about my advice. They aren’t exciting or cool. They’re more mundane than thrilling.

To some, working on personal development isn’t all that sexy.

I’ve told you to cut back on television, news, gossip, and reading anything that’s not filling your brain up with clean water. I’ve told you to make a not to do list. It seems like I’m telling you to take away all your fun. I’m not.

I’m just reminding you to get your priorities straight if you want to create the life you’ve always dreamt of.

I still do all those things I’ve told you not to do, but I do it less and have replaced it with a commitment to change my life. There’s been days of just working and not leaving the house. My free time is spent reading, writing, emailing, or networking. It’s not glamourous to some.

How has it affected me? Those tiny and unsexy changes have made 2011 my best year ever. I feel like it’s just the beginning of great things too.

What is my secret in one sentence? I’ve made sure I’m putting more time towards my goals compared to doing activities that don’t. 

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