If You Can Count to 8… You Can Live an Extraordinary Life. And Help Others Live Extraordinary Lives as Well

Far too many people major in minor things. Job seekers. Coaches. Managers. Students. Parents. Just about everyone. The out-of-work individual who needs a job to ensure the financial well-being of his family has 40, 50, or 60 hours a week to plan and execute a job campaign. So why is he only working a few hours a day? What is he doing with the rest of his time? He’s majoring in minor things - rearranging furniture, watching reruns of CSI, and spending time BS-ing on social media discussing everything except his job campaign.

In most areas of life, there are matters of great importance… and then there’s everything else. And it’s these important matters that are the ‘major aspects’ in life that require our focus. But the seductive trap is letting those ‘minor things’ distract us; betray us. This is the root cause of failure and underachievement. The key to success is avoiding minor activities and focusing on major priorities.

So how do we identify what is major and what is minor? My methodology is based on the 6-8-90 principle. 

There are 6-8 things that make 90% of the difference in just about everything in life. You just need to determine what they are and then invest 90% of your resources (time, money, and energy) on those 6-8 things.

 All you have to do is determine what the 6-8 things are that are most important to you in achieving whatever objectives you have; whatever trouble you’re navigating out of; or whatever successful pursuits you are undertaking in almost any situational life endeavor.  And once you have identified those 6-8 things, you then need to place them in a hierarchy of importance. Why? Because not all of the 6-8 things have equal value. 

For instance, both your hearing and eyesight are important to you, but one is a little more important than the other. If I were to take away either your eyesight or your hearing… what would you give up? You see, they are both very important to you, but one is a little more important than the other. And here’s the thing… we want to live, consciously or subconsciously, aligned with that hierarchy. This is what determines whether we are happy or struggling to be happy. And most people are living their lives misaligned with their hierarchy of 6-8 things in almost every area of their lives.  

The Methodology:

What is most important to me in my (?????) that makes me happy and enriches my entire life?

Ask the question, ‘what’s most important to me in my (next job, a marriage, a vacation, my health, choosing a college, my life, my career) that makes me happy and enriches my whole life?’

IMPORTANT – START WITH A BIG LIST

Brainstorm, or better yet, heart-storm. Perhaps when you ask the question, ‘what’s most important to me in my career,’ you’ll come up with 15-25 things. Once the brainstorming/heart-storming is done and you have your list of 15-25 things, whittle them done to 6-to-8. Then, once you have the 6-8 things, place them in a hierarchy of importance and simply invest 90% of your time, money, and energy on those 6-8 things. This list represents your “SIGNATURE VALUES.”

In most cases, the 6-8 things will be different for everyone and for every circumstance. You must identify what is most important to you… and then work on your list. As an example, see the list below. I have identified eight categories and place the list in a hierarchy - #1 being most important and #8 the least important – where all 8 are VERY important. 

And the best part of this exercise, in addition to understanding what Signature Values in life result in happiness and fulfillment, Signature Values and their hierarchy are also a powerful DECISION-MAKING TOOL when it comes down to making important life (and career) decisions. 

Examples:

Vacation: Rest and relaxation vacation * No passport required * Plentiful activities – rain or shine * No more than a 3-hour flight * 7 days and 6 nights * Not to exceed $2,500 * Good restaurants * Clean and well-kept hotel

New relationship: Must align with top 8 life values * Between 45 and 55 years of age * Self-supporting, financially * Comfortable in own skin * Spiritual * Honorable and respectful * Collaborative not combative personality * Manages problems in a classy, dignified manner 

What college to attend: Freedom * Small institution / classrooms * In Florida * Small city * Sports marketing major * Internship assistance * Uber friendly (to avoid DUI) * 4-hour or less drive from home

Life: Peace – spirituality; no dramas * Health * Freedom * Financial abundance * Family * Friends * Adventure activities * Respect for self and others

Career: Flexible schedule * Minimum $55,000 a year * Partial or full health benefits * Reputable company – respectful/professional boss * 45 minute or less commute * Career advancement opportunities * Product or service industry I can relate to * Able to use my creative skills

Automobile purchase: Must be off-road capable; 4-wheel drive * Sway bar and tire locking capabilities * $50k max * Lease – no more than $450 a month * 2-door vehicle * Grey or silver color vehicle * Automatic transmission * New or certified pre-owned

 Health: Weight between 175-180 * Exercise at gym 4 x week * Eat healthy – don’t overeat * Meditate daily 20-30 minutes * Hang out with positive people * Avoid negative people * Get a massage once a month * Feel energetic and engaged with life

 Summary

If you don’t know what you want, you’ll end up settling for whatever you get. And that’s usually underwhelming.  As you and your clients begin a new year – 2020 – identity the 6-8 things that makes 90% of the difference in landing a great new job (or whatever you or your clients are seeking to achieve), place them in a hierarchy… and then invest 90% of your resources (time, money, energy) on the 6-8 things. This way you avoid majoring in minor things, to achieve the success you and your clients seek and deserve.