Personal Success

I am a huge fan of Tim Ferriss, bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, and an extremely successful blogger.

Today I came across an article about him on the Inc Magazine website, titled 19 Things Really Productive People Refuse to Do (According to Tim Ferriss and His Readers).

The article reminded me of one of Tim’s excellent blog posts, titled The Not-To-Do List: 9 Habits to Stop Now.

Anyone who follows Tim’s work knows that he puts in twelve-hour workdays, not four-hour workweeks. His book is about eliminating what distracts you from moving toward your most important goals, not about slacking off.

I will give you Tim Ferriss’s list of nine habits to stop now. You can read the whole article on the Tim Ferriss Show website.

Do not answer calls from unrecognized phone numbers
Do not check e-mail first thing in the morning or last thing at night
Do not agree to meetings or calls with no clear agenda or end time
Do not let people ramble
Do not check e-mail constantly — “batch” and check at set times only
Do not over-communicate with low-profit, high-maintenance customers
Do not work more to fix overwhelm — instead prioritize
Do not carry a smart phone 24/7
Do not expect work to fill a void that non-work relationships and activities should fill

You can read more articles about Tim Ferriss at his website.

Have you ever seen City Slickers, the 1991 western comedy ?

Mitch, Phil, and Ed are three New Yorkers in mid-life crises. Mitch has just turned 39. Phil is trapped in a 12-year loveless marriage. Ed is a playboy who recently married an underwear model, but doesn’t love monogamy.

At Mitch’s birthday party, Phil and Ed present a gift of a two-week cattle drive from New Mexico to Colorado. When they arrive for the cattle drive, they meet a tough old cowboy named Curly. Curly is their trail boss, and frequently has to rescue them from their own dangerous ineptitude. At one point, Curly humiliates Mitch in front of his friends.

Over time, however, Mitch and Curly develop a bond. Mitch learns that Curly, despite his tough exterior, is actually a very wise man. Curly meets an untimely death, but before he dies he gives Mitch the “secret to life.” He advises Mitch to discover the “one thing” in his life which is the most important to him. Discovering the “one thing” would solve all of his problems.

Curly was not the only wise person to give this advice. Others have said the same thing. General George Patton said, “Drive for the one thing on which you have decided.” Vince Lombardi said, “Success demands singleness of purpose.”

Gary Keller, co-founder of Keller Williams Realty, wrote an entire book about this concept. It is titled The One Thing. He believes that by focusing energy on one thing at a time people live more rewarding lives. They build their careers, get in shape, deepen their faith, and nurture stronger relationships. The book has been a bestseller ever since it was released.

What is your “one thing?”

Your Not To Do List: Nine Habits To Stop Now

What Is Your One Thing?