Training the elite of the elite of our military, professional athletes, Olympians, executives, and celebrities, Tee Major knows success and is a force to be reckoned with. Having developed a nutrition and exercise program that has built strength and confidence all over the world, he has a following of 300,000 Facebook fans and 150,000 YouTube subscribers with over 15 million views. Once you see this half-man half-machine do 19 pushup variations in this video you’ll understand why. Be sure to watch until the end to see him do a 360-degree pushup. It is truly jaw-dropping.
Gleaned from the hours upon hours he has spent training “A-list” clients and building his own thriving business, Major shares the nine most critical things that he has learned successful people do:
1. Know their “WHY.”
People don’t buy what you do. People buy why you do it. When every company on the planet is telling you WHAT they sell and HOW you can buy it, successful people and companies are sharing the reasons WHY they do what they do, and WHY you should be a part of it. Donald Miller with StoryBrand can help you communicate your passion and your WHY.
2. Practice discipline.
Successful people like to get their day rolling before the competition, so they rise early and get started. They also read 30 to 60 minutes to keep their minds fresh and full of new ideas. They prioritize and write down daily tasks and complete them, and visualize their goals being accomplished. The results and increased success rates are predictable — yet doing these consistently takes discipline.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
When you make assumptions, you are asking for misunderstandings and can create big drama. People tend to make assumptions because they are too arrogant, or fearful of asking for clarification. This then creates a narrative in the mind to make these assumptions true, when they may not be at all. Successful people know it is always better to ask questions for clarification and avoid all that unnecessary suffering.
4. Keep things simple.
Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” When things are simple they can be easily explained, accomplished, and replicated. If you can’t explain something, then you don’t truly understand it. Successful people keep it simple so everyone can understand.
5. Exercise both mind and body.
Most successful people work out daily, specifically in the morning. Starting off with exercise gives a boost of energy and a sense of accomplishment, and prevents the tendency to flake out later in the day/night. Successful people also understand mental health is just as important, and that morning can be the perfect time to meditate or practice visualization. Taking a few minutes to visualize success in your day ahead will improve your mood and outlook on the day. Muse is a powerful tool to help your meditation practice whether you’re a novice or experienced.
6. Be mindful of thoughts, words, and actions.
A Chinese proverb says, “Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.” Successful people are aware of the chain reaction that starts with thoughts. They think before they speak, discuss and evaluate before they act, and develop healthy habits that build strong character and lead to more success. Affirmations can be a helpful tool in practicing new ways of thinking.
7. Don’t take things personally.
Successful people know that everything that happens around them and that others do isn’t controllable. We are all individuals living in a collective society, and each person lives in his or her own “dream world.” What people say, what they do, and their opinions rarely have anything to do with you. They create them according to the reality they have created for themselves. If you don’t take things personally, you are immune to the destructive energy and suffering that others may throw your way. You are not responsible for the choices of others, only for yourself. Successful people understand this and so are less often hurt by the careless thoughts, words, or actions of others.
8. Unplug.
Your mind, body, and spirit need time to rest and relax. Unplugging from work and technology is essential to doing this. Dedicated time without devices, Wi-Fi, email, or social networks is key. Creating this time is important to successful people, and they make it happen.
9. Know that systems build success.
Successful people proactively take inventory of the tasks they need to complete. They determine which activities only they can do, and where they add unique value. For other things they realize it may be faster and more efficient to delegate or outsource, and they do so. They break down their tasks into steps and processes that can be done quickly and efficiently, and even replicated as necessary. Developing systems that build on your strengths and unique talents creates success.
While these ideas may never get you to the point of doing 360-degree pushups like Tee Major, they will make you successful in whatever it is you are passionate about. Take a 360-degree look at your life and see what changes you can make to create your success. Start by doing one small pushup today, even if it is on your knees. It will build the muscles you need to support you in the success you want to create.