Flexibility

“It’s not the strongest or the most intelligent of species which ultimately survive but those which are most capable of change.”

Charles Darwin

There is no one approach which will guarantee success in every situation. Excellence requires flexibility.

But achieving flexibility can be difficult because so much of what happens in our brains is automatic and unconscious; we are hardwired to behave in particular ways.

However, if you understand a little of how your brain works, you can change your wiring and choose to be the best version of you in any situation.

Focus

focus-sweetspotTime is finite and so it makes sense to invest your energies in the activities that will yield you the greatest rewards. This is the ‘Sweet Spot’ where your interests, capabilities and opportunities overlap. 

In the following topics, we look into each of these elements.


Whatever your role and however happy and successful you are, you should periodically undertake this analysis.

More often than not, your current choices will be confirmed and you can carry on with renewed vigour.

And when change is needed, you will have a clear direction to move forwards.

Growth: Resilience, Failure and Quitting

A good plan and efficient systems are rarely enough; there is just too much happening in the world and things will go wrong and obstacles will block your way. Sometimes the only way through is bloody-minded perseverance and ‘grit’ and willpower have been shown to be amongst the best predictors of success. The good news is, these are not immutable; things that you either have or don’t have. Whatever your current level, you can develop greater resilience. As we have seen throughout this program, change the neural connections, the way you think, and you change the way you act. And I will share with you, techniques to increase your grit and willpower. 

However, heroically pushing on in the face of adversity is not always appropriate and we need to break free from conventional, misconceived, notions about ‘failure’. You will learn the critical questions to ask yourself that will help you to decide whether to persevere or quit.

Linking back to earlier modules on how your brain works, I will share with you surprising research on how your body can change your thought patterns – and how you can use simple methods to increase your productivity.

And finally, the greatest threat to your productivity: other people. I will help you to become more assertive – but without upsetting people!

Perspective

The topics in this section are intended to encourage you to look at your future plans from different perspectives – perspectives strongly associated with achieving sustainable success and happiness. They are not only focused on edge in the strict sense – they are embracing what it means to be successful in the most fundamental sense.

“I don’t believe there is such a thing as ‘work/life balance’. You don’t hear people talking about finding a ‘family/life balance’ or an ‘eating/life balance.’ IT’S ALL LIFE.”

Holly Hamann

Some of the topics may lead you to radically change your action map – so have it open ready .

ACT: Think Positively … and Negatively

I talk about being ‘happy’ and achieving ‘happiness’ in many of my videos. We can sometimes lose sight of the fact that ultimately, we do what we do to be happy. We get sidetracked and lose sight of the big picture.

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”

Aristotle

By happiness, I don’t mean ‘in the moment’ joy but ‘baseline happiness’ – how you feel about life generally. Contentment.

In a professional context, it encompasses being in a frame of mind that is conducive to doing your best work – we don’t perform well when we are anxious, frustrated, angry …”

Two Types of Happiness

In this module, we consider 4 key factors for developing personal edge: 

  • Focus
  • Intensity
  • Reflection
  • Energy

In the second section, we follow Steve Jobs’ advice and delve into how you can find work that inspires you. We will pay particular attention to ‘broken paradigms’ and the need to question conventional wisdom. 

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking … “

Steve Jobs