The Georgia Scroll
July 1998
JOIN THE 1% CLUB –
Create a Fulfilling Life
By Rick Houcek, President, Soar With Eagles Enterprises, Atlanta, GA
Rick Houcek’s company has a single-minded purpose: To help ambitious people become successful, self-motivated achievers, which Rick does through workshops, keynote speeches, and one-on-one success coaching. He was a General Assembly keynote speaker at the Georgia Chapter HFMA Spring Institute at Callaway Gardens in May, and spoke on the tools of self-motivation for creating a fulfilling, rewarding life.
Ever wonder why some people seem to have all the success you only dream about? Were they born with advantages, silver spoons, or head starts the rest of us weren’t?
Nonsense. The real winners in life – the top 1% in any field – have the riveting focus to manage their own personal and professional goals. They are high achievers – ordinary people getting extraordinary results. They knuckle down to a few things others don’t. Here are five of the most important you can act on.
1. Get clear on your life mission.
Why are you on this planet? Ask yourself tough questions like "Who are my heroes and why?" "What would I want people to say about me at my own funeral?" "What is my most important accomplishment in my life and why?" The answers are the clues to your life mission. Once discovered, make it one sentence and easy to memorize. Recite it daily.
2. Know your core values.
What are the deep beliefs that guide your behavior and give you that queasy feeling when violated? Clues to your values are: "What behavior do you most like and most detest in other people? And in yourself? When clear, write them down. Not one-word values, but full sentences that define the boundaries of your acceptable behavior. Read them daily.
3. Set clear goals.
Use one sheet of paper. Address these points: (1) state the goal in one sentence using the SMART acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reviewable, Time-dated. (2) Identify the benefits that will come to you when the goal is accomplished. (3) Identify resources you’ll need. (4) Clarify possible obstacles and solutions for each. (5) Write down, in time sequence, specific actions steps with specific deadlines for each. (6) Sign it as you would a contract.
4. Use affirmations every day.
These are positive, present-tense "I" statements that describe something you believe to be true or would like to become true. Such as "I am committed to doing whatever it takes to succeed." "I accept responsibility – never relying on others for producing my own self motivation." Positive affirmations have an electrifying effect on us and should be read daily.
5. Have a support group and meet regularly.
Identify five serious, positive, like-minded people bent on improving their lives. Meet regularly (no less that quarterly), make meetings a priority, and be encouragers, not discouragers, for each other.
Tackle these five and you’re on your road to the 1% club. Stick with it. Your life is worth it!
Last modified: June 22, 2001