Did you know that only 1% of people make over 350K a year? That means that 99% make less than that. If you want to be in that top one percent, that means you have to think and act differently that 99% of people. You have to go against the grain, and that probably means doing things in a different way than most people you know and are are around.
I love this statistic because it creates a mindset shift, not only about money, but about all areas of your life. Maybe you have no desire to make 350K a year. Maybe you just want to make a comfortable living while staying home and working less. Maybe money and business isn’t your end goal at all. Maybe you want to achieve optimal health, reach a fitness goal, or get a degree. You still need to act differently than people who are not doing whatever it is you want to do.
Whatever your “end goal” happens to be, you can rest assure that going against the grain and being an “oddball” will help you get there faster.
Health
Are most of the people you know healthy? And by healthy, I mean really healthy (energized, not sick very often, at a good weight, get enough sleep, not moody, etc.)… not the American definition of healthy. Most people opt to live with mediocre health and see a doctor when they are sick, then get a shot and some antibiotics. Chances are, if you want to have optimal health, you will have to incorporate dietary, lifestyle, and exercise habits into your daily life in order to prevent disease in the first place. This may mean you choose to go for a walk instead of watching TV, eat a salad when you would rather have fried chicken, and seek the help of other health professionals (nutritionists, personal trainers, naturopathic doctors, holistic doctors, etc.). You have to go against the grain and do things differently than the majority of people you know.
Biz
In business, if you want to achieve huge success, you have to plan on being a huge success right from the start. You want to play big and reach as many people as possible. You don’t want to stay small and mediocre…everyone else is doing that!
Academic Goals
We all know of “Bill Gates” types of stories where someone quit college and then went on to open a very successful business. And, maybe for some people, this is going against the grain. But, for some professions, you must obtain a degree to have a license to work (doctors, nurses, teachers, etc.). If your goal is to finish college for whatever reason, you must do things differently than the people who are flunking classes and dropping out. This may mean that you have to spend weekends studying while others are out partying. It also may mean you sacrifice other areas of your life for just a little while to see your end goal.
If your goal isn’t to get a degree, but to advance your life and business, you still need to stay on top of what’s happening in your industry. This may mean being a part of networking groups, going to seminars, and reading related magazines and journals when you’d rather be going to a movie.
I am not saying that you should never have leisure time. On the contrary, having “real” leisure time (really relaxing and not having the crackberry and laptop out) is crucial to success. And, by the way, it’s different than what most people do. Having dedicated work time and dedicated leisure time is a must, just be sure the two don’t overlap.
You have probably heard sayings about it “being lonely at the top.” Some people may regard this statement as putting yourself above others, but what I think it means is that you are on top of your biggest goals and dreams (your hearts desire). You will not let anything or anyone get in your way. You may have to decline social events at times, get past fear, and do things differently than most people you know, but it will payoff big-time when you achieve those goals!
So the next time you find yourself at home on a Saturday night studying, leaving your family for the weekend to go to a seminar, or asking for dressing on the side of that salad while your friend has the cheeseburger, relax… and own your oddball status!
You Grow Girl!
Brandi Hamrick
www.yougrowgirl.net