You Need to Stop Doing These 4 Things Right Now
When I think about personal development, I often think about all of the things I need to start doing. I need to start reading more, learning more, or writing more. If you're training for a marathon, you may think you need to start walking more, or running more. But when it comes to success and leadership, what about all the things we need to stop doing?
Over the past few years, I've learned to become more intentional with my time. Through trial and error, I've learned what I should do more of, what I should do less of, and what I should stop doing altogether. While reading “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth” by John Maxwell, I asked my book club, “What should you stop doing?”
Here are some of their responses:
- Stop watching reality TV
- Stop spending time being negative
- Stop over booking my schedule
- Stop watching Teen Mom 2
I get a laugh out of that last one because it's an oddly specific thing to say. However, that level of detail is necessary if we're going to grow ourselves into the leaders and success stories we know we can be.
So, here are,
4 Things You Should Stop Doing Right Now:
1: Stop being angry. It's ok to get frustrated and angry. Anger is an emotion; it's natural. However, there is a difference between getting angry and being angry. Regarding anger, Abraham Lincoln said, “A man has not time to spend half his life in quarrels.” To one of his generals, Lincoln also gave this analogy, “Better give your path to a dog, than be bitten by him in contesting for the right. Even killing the dog would not cure the bite.” If you're going to be successful, you've got more important things to do than to be angry.
2: Stop criticizing. If you haven't watched “The Voice” on TV, you should. Not only are the singers excellent, but the coaches are just that, they're coaches. Leaders may critique but they shouldn't criticize. Yes, there is a difference. There is a fine line separating them, but a critique is delivered with the intention of making something better. Criticizing only serves to continually tear down. Help to build people up, encourage them, and help them get what they want. Carl Jung, one of the founders of modern psychology said, criticism “is capable only of harm when there is something to be built.”
3: Stop wasting time. Time is the most valuable thing in the world. Even the wealthiest of people cannot buy more time. You and I need to spend the time we have wisely. Your dreams won't become reality by themselves. You have to start working today to achieve the goals of tomorrow. Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich” said, “Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.” Stop wasting time. Start on your path to success right now!
4: Stop trying to do it all. You can't be everything to everyone. You must prioritize your agenda to serve others according to your strengths. If you've built a successful Personal Board of Directors, you have people on your team to help you achieve what you're meant to achieve. If you spend your time trying to do it all, you're destined to become a jack of all trades, while remaining a master of none. Your greatest gift to the world may be something very specific. Remember, even the strongest medicine does less good when it is diluted.
If you stop doing these four things, you'll have more time to spend on the activities where you'll have the most impact. The most successful people in life focus as much on what they need to stop doing as they do on what they need to start doing. Be positive. Be encouraging. Be intentional with your time. Even saving the world must start with saving one person.
Question: When it comes to your personal development, Is there anything you know you should stop doing today? Leave a comment below by clicking here!
Good stuff Ellory .. I am going to stop making excuses on why I can not attend Book Club … See you Wednesday.
Thank you for your comment Celinda! We’re all busy so I think we have to be intentional about our growth. I’m really enjoying the new book and I hope you’ll read it with us!
Good stuff Ellory .. I am going to stop making excuses on why I can not attend Book Club … See you Wednesday.
Thank you for your comment Celinda! We’re all busy so I think we have to be intentional about our growth. I’m really enjoying the new book and I hope you’ll read it with us!
Good post, Ellory. Lately I’ve been a little overwhelmed and that can lead to frustration and anger. Good reminder to keep it in check.
Dan, thanks for commenting and sharing. If I can help, please let me know.
Good post, Ellory. Lately I’ve been a little overwhelmed and that can lead to frustration and anger. Good reminder to keep it in check.
Dan, thanks for commenting and sharing. If I can help, please let me know.