This week, I had the chance to deliver a five minute talk at a Peer Mastermind on the Gold Coast. The topic: what's been working well for me this year? Here are the five things I shared.
A shift in identity
A small change in my identity has had a significant impact in the last year. I shifted my long-held mindset of getting fit simply to being fit. That subtle change has had a significant impact when it comes to maintaining a regular habit of training, resting and eating well.
Whereas I used to fluctuate and yo-yo after I got fit, now I just do it consistently because that's who I am. It's a non-negotiable part of my life and it's easy and enjoyable. It's definitely had a positive impact on nearly every aspect of my life and business, and the effects of these 1% habits seem to be compounding.
Designing my day
One exercise that has been useful for me is designing my ideal day. This is a work in progress and will naturally evolve, but for me right now it looks like this:
- A dawn surf
- Unstructured play with my daughter in the morning
- Start work at 9:30am
- Have a swim with my daughter after her sleep
- Finish work by 4pm, and go for a gym session
- Unwind with some quality family time before an early night
Recognising constraints and prioritising
By recognising the constraints of my day, I've been forced to decide what's most important with work, what can be delegated and what can be cut out entirely. I feel it's made my business simpler, and it forces me to focus.
Eliminating habits
On the flip side of the 1% habits coin, I've also asked: what can I try cutting from my life that doesn't serve me anymore or just isn't as important as the rest? One standout was alcohol. It was something I could easily do without, and its absence would no doubt make me feel and perform better. I'm now 10 months into an alcohol-free experiment, and I'm stress-free, calm and have much more energy. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.
One final mindset shift
Living in the Gain, not the Gap is a concept from Dan Sullivan and it has been a game-changer. It's about appreciating the progress rather than dwelling on where you feel you could or should be. Again it's very simple, but high-impact.
Two books
Two reads that have changed my perspective this year are:
- 10X is Easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan with Dr Benjamin Hardy. It challenges conventional thinking and pushes for exponential growth.
- Atomic Habits by James Clear. It's a deep dive into the power of habits and how tiny changes can lead to remarkable results.
This year has been about intentional living, focusing on my priorities, and aligning actions with my identity. So far it seems to be working. Does any of that resonate with you?
