Life involves trade-offs. Every minute we spend at work is one minute less with our family. Every day we spend doing what we do best is one day less to spend learning something new. That’s just the way things are.
The former is one of the seven principles shared by Scott O’Neill in his new book “Be Where Your Feet Are: Seven Principles to Keep You Present, Grounded, and Thriving” (June 2021).
How many CEOs are willing to write about how they got fired or failed at starting a company? Scott O’Neil openly shares his challenges during difficult times and how the lessons he learned at the bottom helped him ultimately come out at the top.
With advice ranging from failing productively to living in the moment, it presents a few simple tips designed to help you live a richer, happier, and more successful life.
When we’re moving at 115 MPH (185 km/h), we rarely see the wall coming. But it comes for all of us, and when it does, we grasp for lessons, for meaning, for purpose. Each moment (good or bad) and each win or loss provides us an opportunity to learn, and if we choose to take it, that opportunity can change our lives and the world- for the better.
Too many of us live in a constant haze of notifications, duties, and distractions these days. We pay partial attention to everything, and we focus entirely on just about nothing.
Focus on what’s most important to you, and forget the rest. Once you know what your WMI (What’s Most Important) is, live a life aimed squarely at it – and don’t deviate, whatever people around you say.
Be a team player.
Being a team player doesn’t just mean standing up for those who are unable to defend themselves. It also means helping out in seemingly mundane ways.
In other words, if you notice a problem, don’t pass on by without addressing it: either fix it yourself or ask someone else to see to it.
If there’s a problem that needs addressing, don’t assume that someone else will take charge. Be a team player who steps up and looks out for others.
Be patient and trust the process.
The implications of the phrase “trust the process” is an invitation to believe in the power of grit, hard work, and slow, incremental progress.
The “process” refers to both your plan and your follow-through. To trust the process means to go against the values of instant gratification. In a world that wants easy solutions, it means thinking long-term and acting in a way that fits an abiding plan rather than the whim of a moment.
In the words of the author, “there are no shortcuts to the top.” A genuinely ambitious plan is always going to involve long days, late nights, and hard work. You’ll need to pay the price of success, day in and day out if you ever want to reach your goals.
A few fundamental principles underlie success at work, at home, and in the broader community. First of all, be present, no matter what you’re doing – give the issue at hand your complete attention. Secondly, live following your core values, and forget everything else. When you encounter failure, which is inevitable, learn from your mistakes.
It’s not all about yourself, though: treat others well too – be a team player, and assume everyone you meet means well. Finally, trust the process: success comes gradually, requiring a long-term plan and lots of patience.
Actionable advice:
Write down what your errors have taught you.
Learning from your mistakes can be challenging. Often we get so wrapped up in our regret and disappointment that we struggle to distill any lessons from what we’ve been through. To make it a bit easier for yourself, try getting everything down on paper. List three mistakes that are on your mind right now and what each one has taught you. Writing down the lessons, you’ve drawn from your errors will make them far easier to remember and follow.
