A few weeks ago, I was writing on my new favorite site, 750words.com, and made an interesting correlation between the site’s “rewards/consequences” system and a message I heard from Tony Robbin’s about getting leverage. The common theme was basically how to make a change and stick with it. That means deciding on something and keeping to your word. Not just for a day or two, but for the long term, or at least until completion. Here’s what I concluded from that correlation.
Anytime we want to make a change in life, whether it’s to lose 10 lbs, learn a new language, or just become more organized, we face numerous options to help us achieve that change. Of course, with so many options, we often end up overwhelmed and frustrated, and end up not taking action at all. Many of you know this is “analysis paralysis.” I know it very well, because I’ve been down that road many times.
Just last year, I told myself I’d become GSEC and CCNP Security certified by the end of 2012. For those that don’t know, these are two highly-respectable certifications in the IT Information Security realm. The GSEC is a single $900 exam, and obtained through the SANS Institute. The CCNP Security is 4 exams and focused specifically around securing Cisco devices. So what did I actually accomplish? Well, I managed to complete 2 of the 4 CCNP Security exams, and ended the year with 0 certifications. Yep, big fat goose egg. I had my reasons for doing them, and started studying several times, but the follow through was severely lacking. I don’t know if it was the ADHD, lack of motivation or prioritization, or the million other things I wanted to do last year. It could’ve been all of the above.
So, the question is this: How do we make a change and stay consistent with it in the face of countless possible solutions and constantly changing interests?
How do we focus on the right choices? And when we make those choices, how do we make sure to follow through? Well, with any big change, there are a few key ingredients that are necessary from the very beginning. Once you want to do something, or make a change, you have to decide that you really do want this, and you really do want to make this change. If you don’t, you’re going to lose steam really fast. After you decide you want to do it, you need to get some leverage. How can this new change give you pleasure? If you don’t do it, how much pain will it give you?
If you can attach intense pleasure and/or intense pain (both are better), then you’ll be even more likely to follow through. For people like myself with ADHD, it can be hard to follow through, since we tend to lose interest when the challenge or the fun is no longer there. However, willpower can be supplemented with a little external boost (aka, leverage), which is something that we rely on when the internal drive runs out. The external boost can be a lot of things, but from seeing results of others and from my own personal experimentation, there are a few things that work really well.
(Photo: Eugene Wei)
Here are 5 easy steps you can use to get some leverage and make a change today:
- Write out your purpose for making this change.
- Tell the world. Make sure there are people close to you that know. Find 3 people specifically that you know and have them keep you accountable.
- Get leverage. Using those same 3 people or even new people, make a bet that if you don’t commit to the change from start to finish, that you’ll pay them a substantial sum, or do something for them that will require immense effort or time. You can also reward yourself if you succeed. It can be a small reward such as a night out on the town or even a new electronic gadget.
- Make a list of all the ways that this change can benefit you. Will this help you become stronger or smarter? Quantify it with numbers if you can.
- Make a list of all the ways that this change will hurt you if it’s not completed. Will you lose money or credibility? Again, quantify it with numbers if possible.
So, let’s say you want to make the change. You know why you want this change. You know all the pro’s and con’s. You have leverage. Now, we get to the nitty gritty. What are all the possible steps that you can take to achieve this goal? List them out and prioritize them. Then, take immediate action.
Here’s an example of how I’ve recently put this into action:
For starters, I decided to complete my CCNP Security certification, of which I have only 2 exams left.
- Purpose: Build my credibility as a Network Security Engineer and create a solid case for promotion to a senior-level position
- Dear World, I plan on taking the CCNP Security VPN 2.0 exam on April 19th. Besides you, World, I have also told Rohit, Tom, and Jatin, coworkers of mine.
- Leverage: I made a bet with Rohit specifically that if I fail the exam or don’t take it by end-of-day April 19th, 2013, that I’d owe him $100. If I fail the exam, I’m also out an additional $200 for the cost of the exam.
- Benefits: Credibility, knowledge, respect, 5-10% increase in annual salary
- Cons if I fail: $300: $200 for the cost of the exam and the $100 I bet with Rohit, plus shame since it will be exposed on my blog
Steps: Book exam, purchase books/videos, allocate daily time for studying and practice, test my knowledge at the end of every week, ask coworkers for encouragement
How’s it looking so far? Well, I am scheduled to take the exam this Friday, April 19th. I’ve been studying at least 30 minutes a day, which includes watching instructor-led videos and hands-on practice in GNS3 (a lab simulator). At the end of every week, I review my notes and take a practice test to measure my progress. The stakes are high, so I can’t fail, right?
What change do you plan to make? Why do you want it? How will you stay committed?
UPDATE (4/20): Passed the 642-648 VPN2.0 exam yesterday with flying colors! 979/1000!! I plan to repeat this process shortly for my final CCNP Security exam, which is 642-627 IPSv7.0. Goes to show the power of leverage!
