5 Characteristics of the Successful Ax Murderer - Actually, it works for anyone trying to be more successful at almost anything

Why ax murders? Well, would you have read further if it was about accounting, or graphic design, or rodeo clowning?  Ok, maybe rodeo clowning, but no way you would have read further if it was about regular clowning; and regular clowns scare me. So nope, its about ax murderers, and if you’re going to be an ax murderer, would you not want to be the best ax murder you could be? What would be holding you back? A dull blade? Lack of upper body strength? A thirst to kill yet you faint at the sight of blood? Nope, most likely it would be your lack of developing successful habits, or worse, your accumulation of bad habits (that’s why the blade is dull). James Clear in his awesome book Atomic Habits, states, “you do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the levels of your systems”. He says a lot of other things too and I would highly recommend his book. Successful people are essentially those people with successful habits. So, with that in mind here are 5 characteristics of a successful ax murder:

1.     Keep the ax head sharp. Staying sharp requires managing your time, and workload. Make a habit of planning out your day. Have each hour accounted for, even when you do not have appointments. Keep it flexible, knowing that spontaneous things can pop up, but be prepared to be productive so there is no dead time, well, unnecessary dead time (insert evil laugh).

2.     Pick your target and execute. Don’t swing aimlessly at everything that comes along. Focus on what you ultimately want, have a vision and practice goal setting with long term and short-term goals. Plan your next move in a manner that brings you closer to those goals. , That might be a college degree, development of a new skill, or just getting up earlier. You know, don’t be a hack (get it? Ax – hack? Never mind, let’s move on)

3.     Take responsibility for your life. Time spent blaming others for your plight in life is wasted time. Regardless of your childhood, regardless of your parents, or your teachers, or anything else, you are in control of how you respond to outside influencers. Blame and unforgiveness only hurt you, and waste time. It is like turning the ax on yourself, which is pointless and totally defeats the purpose. Own where you are today, and own the route to a better place. To quote former Navy Seal David Goggins, “Everybody comes to a point in their life when they want to quit, but it is what you do at that moment that determines who you are”.

4.     Set your priorities. Consider conducting a self-audit where you list the things in your life you want to change, and/or new skills you want to acquire then create a system of habits that put you in the best position to succeed. Habits are formed through thoughtful repetition. Small amounts of time that are set aside to develop new skills. These small amounts of time compound over time, to very large amounts of time, but you have to start to get there.  For instance, If the ax is too heavy after two or three swings, get up 30 minutes early every day and begin a cardio and strength training routine.

5.     Surround yourself with likeminded people.  Not necessarily other ax murderers, that just sounds silly, and creepy, but those who share a devotion towards achieving, becoming better, and helping others along the way. Avoid those who waste time, complain, wake up late, and don’t achieve. You know, those who talk a good game of axing, but do nothing. Instead, surround yourself with those who inspire you to be better, and then be a positive influence around them, and surround yourself them.

If you made it this far you know this article is not really about becoming an ax murder. I live in Fort Worth and do not even own an ax. I am a subject matter expert, or so I have been titled, in several areas but not in axing, if that is even a word (spell check did not correct it so I think I am good). I enjoy creating content, and sharing about things that have worked for me in my career, my marriage, and in my family that might encourage others. There are many other things that could be added to this list and I would love to hear what you would add. Feel free to put them in the comments if you feel so inclined. 

Brett Morgan