Are you ready to get serious?

Posted: June 13, 2013 | Categories: Self-Improvement

From 1980-1982, Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari starred in the TV series, “Bosom Buddies”.  In a recent interview, Peter Scolari talked about his experience of working with Tom Hanks.  He said that, although he liked Tom, it was frustrating to work with him because he was lazy and didn’t take his work seriously.

A lot has changed since then, and Tom Hanks has evolved into one of Hollywood’s most respected and highest paid actors.  He received two back-to-back actor awards in “93 & “94 for Philadelphia and Forest Gump. 

What happened to Tom Hanks is the same thing that happens to anyone who triumphs over weight control, spending habits, or smoking cigarettes.  No gimmicks.  No fancy formulas.  Just a mental resolve from deep inside that says, “This is going to happen.”

For nearly 20 years I was a facilitator for a popular course in self-development.  It was a course that met once a week for 12 weeks, and participants would often have a goal to quit smoking.  I remember those who were successful and those who fell short.  The successful ones had one thing in common:  They used a “this is going to happen” mindset, and changed their habits and thinking.  They did not need a pill or a patch.

I am amazed at how consistently these “conquerors” all say the same thing when asked, “how did you do it?’  Like Tom Hanks, they say, “I finally decided to get serious about acting”.

How about the rest of us?  Is it prospecting, being  more involved in our community, spending more time with our family, or planning for a secure retirement instead of procrastinating, or making specific goals and following through?  Are we ready to get serious about an area we need to grow?  Then remember these steps:

 

1. Decide exactly what it is that you need to do.
2. List every possible task and activity that needs to be done
3. Categorize and prioritize the list
4. Put the steps in sequence, set deadlines, and get necessary resources and help
5. Get serious about your goal.  Begin with step one and continue “one foot in front of the other”.  Hold your own feet to the fire, stay focused, and don’t allow yourself to be distracted.
6. Triumph!

Oh, and one more comment:  While you are getting serious, don’t forget to have fun along the way!

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