99% Is a Bitch – 100% Is a Breeze

This next article is part of an ongoing series here at TSB Magazine called The Success Principles. The series is based on the 64 principles laid out by Jack Canfield in his course of the same name. If youre new, I always suggest starting any series from the beginning.

Principle 35:  99% is a Bitch, 100% is a Breeze

In life the spoils of victory go to those who make a 100% commitment to the outcome, to those who have a “no matter what it takes” attitude.  They give it their all; they put everything they have into getting their desired result- Canfield

Some of these principles just seem to zero in on some of the exact issues that I’m going through in my life.The “no exceptions” rule is one of those principles.  I’ve been struggling lately to stay consistent with a couple new habits I’m trying to implement.  Writing this post has cleared my mind, and made me understand what I have to do.

The basis of this rule implies that successful people make 100% commitment to certain things.  This means it becomes non-negotiable.

Why is this easier?  Because if I make a commitment to wake up early every morning to go to the gym, that is it.  I never have to think about it again.  There are no exceptions.  There are no alternatives.  I don’t have to wake up every morning and think “should I start my day early today or sleep another hour” nor do I have to deal with feelings of regret or disappointment on the days I sleep in.  It frees up all of that energy normally spent on internal debate, which can now be used for more productive means of achieving success.

Anthony Robbins suggests in one of his programs to create an hour of power for yourself every day, no exceptions.  This hour of power consists of a mix of working out, goal planning, and visualizations.  If were to decide to implement this… there are no excuses.  Hung over?  You’re still doing it.  On vacation?  Still doing it.  You just do it.

I have been a vegetarian for over 7 years now.  While in Argentina recently a friend said to me, “The beef is the best in the world down here.What will it hurt if you have one steak?”

The answer was that if broke my discipline even just this one time in Argentina, it would be that much easier to break it the next time I craved meat.

This is why smokers trying to quit who try to “just smoke one cigarette” soon find themselves back to a pack a day.  Once you let yourself know you have options… you’re likely to lose the discipline you’ve built.

Whether your discipline is to read for one hour, practice the piano 5 days a week, make two sales calls every day, learn a new language, do 50 sit ups, run 6 miles, meditate- or whatever else you need to achieve your goals- commit 100% to those daily disciplines that will get you there.