The Overachiever vs. The Superachiever (2 of 4)
If you want to know what we’re up to, be sure to read Installment #1.
After interviewing hundreds of superachievers, many of whom you have seen grace the cover of SUCCESS magazine, I have found about a half-dozen key distinctions of superachievers.
In this series I will outline one of the BIG strategies and a 5-point plan to dramatically increase your productive output, while significantly lowering your stress and schedule burdens.
Superachiever Distinction No. 1:
It’s NOT what the superachievers DO that separates them from everyone else…
I am constantly asked, “What do Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet and the like DO that makes them so successful, productive and wealthy?”
What’s supremely interesting is that what they DO has little to do with their extraordinary success. It has more to do with what they DON’T DO.
Steve Jobs: When asked what is the thing he is most proud of what he and Apple has created, this was his answer: “I’m as proud of what we DON’T do as I am of what we do.”
Warren Buffet: When asked for the No. 1 key to his success, this is his consistent answer, “For every 100 great opportunities that are brought to me, I say ‘NO’ 99 times.”
Isn’t that interesting?!
You see, saying “yes” is easy.
Yes I have a minute
Yes I’ll take the call
Yes I’ll take on that project
Yes I’ll come out for happy hour
Yes I’ll have another drink
Yes I’ll have dessert too
Saying “no” is much harder. And I have learned it is the master skill of the superachievers and their ability to succeed—extraordinarily.
Put it this way: For everything you say “yes” to you are saying “no” to something else… and you only have so much time. For most people, the ability to do MORE is impossible, you are already overwhelmed and working yourself to exhaustion 24/7.
In a world where we are constantly being tugged on from a thousand different directions, your ability to be productive and ultimately achieve your big hairy audacious goals has more to do with all the things you DON’T do versus the things you do.
When Mark Parker started as CEO of Nike he was on a call with Steve Jobs and Steve gave the new CEO some advice. Steve said while Nike makes a lot of great and quality products, they also make a lot of crap. Steve suggested Mark have Nike stop making the crap (see the video here).
While you might produce some quality work during your day, I bet you do a lot of crap (time, energy and productivity-sucking activities) too. Take Steve’s advice, “stop doing the crap” so you have the time and creative capacity to produce more quality and on-goal results.
Peter Drucker: “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently, that which should not be done at all.”
Kenneth Cole: “Success has less to do with what we can get ourselves to do and more to do with keeping ourselves from doing what we shouldn’t.”
Doing more is not the answer. Doing less is. Say “no” to more things so you can say “yes” to the right things with greater focus and depth. This is the key to more efficiently and expeditiously achieving your goals.
Assess yourself:
Look at your calendar last week. Ask yourself, What should I have said “no” to? What took your time, attention, focus and energy, but wasn’t on target with your top few major goals?
Now, look at your calendar for next week. Ask yourself, What should I say “no” to? If it won’t move the needle on any of your top few goals “D” it—Delegate, Delete or Decline. Here is your new slogan: Just DON’T Do It!
And look at all your lists—your to-do list, project list, task list, new idea list, new features list, etc. Ask yourself, Which should I say “no” to?
What is the hardest thing you have trouble saying “no” to? What are your productivity-crushing addictions? The first step toward change is acknowledgement. You are among friends. Confess in the comments below.
Share this post
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Comments
A manager once said I could outwork anyone, but he needed me to work smarter. It’s still one of the best things he ever said.
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Great advice! Glad you still remember it… but how have you put it to use?
[Reply]
Matthew Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 6:58 pm
He would say I still need to work on it. But I sometimes stop and think what’s a better way than straight forward at top speed.
I would add that sometimes a person does this to avoid stopping and dealing with something.
[Reply]
Ah…true confessions. Sometimes I check online for the news…and well…30 -45 minutes later…yeah. Wasted time!
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Here are my thoughts on that, Hannah: http://darrenhardy.success.com/2010/03/how-to-change-the-world/
[Reply]
Yet again, another brilliant post by Mr. Hardy.
This is a key point that I find myself constantly missing.
We tend to be afraid to upset the person on the other end by saying no.
We come up with ridiculous excuses and reasons why we should be saying yes.
However, something that has been of great benefit to me in handling this sort of problem is a video done by Derek Sivers entitled “Hell Yeah or No”.
It can be found on Vimeo here:
http://vimeo.com/25496723
Thanks for writing yet another amazing post!
- Jared Silver,
The Teenage Internet Marketer
[Reply]
“Success has less to do with what we can get ourselves to do and more to do with keeping ourselves from doing what we shouldn’t.” Kenneth Cole
This statement really hit home with me! I have written it on several note cards and strategically posting them through out the house for all to see!
[Reply]
I’ve learned this recently & must give testimony that I’m LIVING SIMPLY; focusing on value systems & people. I do not get sick like most people because I pause to think and do not add too much on my plate; LIVING PURPOSEFULLY.
[Reply]
Confession: I focus too much on the easy stuff and excell at getting these things done, while leaving the “goal achieving” tasks undone. Lots of regrets in this area. While not mentioned in the blog, this is a form of procrastination that produces unwelcome circumstances.
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 5:20 pm
More on this to come, Paul… Stay Tuned!!!
[Reply]
I just got off the phone where I was complaining about a lunch meeting that seems to be more habit than helpful. Gonna say NO to more hapless lunches.
[Reply]
always believed in the power of no
[Reply]
Darren, excellent blog. Here is my answer.
What is the hardest thing you have trouble saying “no” to?
Checking email first thing in the morning can distract me from getting right into my workout and breakfast with my family.
Have a great week!
Barry
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
I’m sure you’re not alone there, Barry. So, what are you going to do about it?
[Reply]
Hi Darren, fantastic blog! Thank you!
Checking my email, text messages & stock market distracts me. So while reading your blog I left my phone in the kitchen intentionally. My top projects right now are changing to raw food lifestyle, blogging, speaking Italian, helping my husband be a winemaker, and enjoying summer outdoors with family
I say NO to overtime at work, happy hours, gossip, & news. I recently told a coworker to please do not talk to me about any gossip or complains because it’s very un-yogi.
Namaste,
Thank you and have a beautiful week:-)
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
July 19th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Good for you, Charm! How did your co-worker take you request? (Don’t forget to forward him/her this blog if you think he/she might benefit!)
[Reply]
Charm Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 10:24 am
Good morning Darren:-)
Your interview in July issue cd is great! It inspired me to be a starter and start something on the side while working even if I’ve failed in the past. Living my best year journal helps me focused. Thank you.
My coworker didn’t have much to say to me for a few days then she offered me travel
Section of LA times so we talked about her travels in Paris. I will encourage her to read Success. Success is what I’m giving for holidays. Where can we send you thank you cards Darren?
Have a healthy, happy and abundant day!
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
You can send mail to me at the magazine. Address here: http://www.successmagazine.com/contact/us Thanks!
I just recently broke the habit of checking my smartphone first thing in the morning while getting ready to go workout (actually have missed workouts trying to cover things that I should have just let sit). Bottom line, anything not in my schedule it is not an ingredient of my success formula.
[Reply]
i LOVE this!!!! thank u~
[Reply]
Thanks for the reminder, Darren. Saying “No” is being assertive. It’s not easy. We teach our kids to be assertive and it’s us– adults–who needs a lot of assertiveness training.
[Reply]
Darren- As a sales person should I take NO as move on or NO as I still have a chance??
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Steven, how many times has this person said no? How many different ways have you connected their needs/wants/hopes/desires to your solution? Have you FULLY presented your solution in a variety of ways at different times? Only when you have heard “no” MANY times and you are convinced you haven’t failed to outline benefits, then put them on a drip list (passive prospecting follow up). If they are worthy prospect never abandon, but redirect your active prospecting energy.
[Reply]
Grrrr! So simple and yet so hard to do! I need to say no to random Facebook checks, links to interesting blog posts (that link to more interesting blog posts, that link to…), new things to do that I haven’t written in that day’s to-do list, calls from friends that want to chat for an hour about nothing in particular… I can go on! I swear I’m the queen of multi-tasking and am a little ADD. Is there any hope for me?
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Of course there’s hope for you, Janeile! Stick with us here and make sure you check out The Compound Effect to help you build better habits CONSISTENTLY!
[Reply]
Hi Darren!
I have trouble saying NO to wake up earlier in the morning and checking too many emails.
Some of the things that I have managed to say NO for months now:
- watch TV (only watch on average from 0 to 15mins)
- reading sensational news crap
Have a great week!
Fazli
[Reply]
Saying no to others is not as hard as saying it to myself. Procrastination can be a big issue for some of us. I work from home and have no problem finding other things to do when there is a daunting task in the office. I need to say no to all the distractions, and just, “GET- R -Done.”
[Reply]
Hi Darren –
As usual you deliver a timely blog.
While I have learned over the years to say “no” to others (thanks to Oprah!) I still have trouble saying “yes” to myself, particularly when it comes to goal setting & taking action. A constant struggle to step beyond the daily grind and work on building the life I REALLY want. Thanks for the continued encouragement!
Have a great day!
Julie
[Reply]
EXACTLY what I needed to read today. Printing it out and carrying this with me. I am that YES person. I need to focus on the three most important things and pretty much say NO to the rest of it.
No wonder my book’s not written yet.
[Reply]
As it is commonly said “the things that matter most should never be at the sacifice of those that matter the least”
[Reply]
Good Evening Mr Hardy!
I love this post more than any post I’ve seen yet, and let me tell you why: When I work with coaching clients they always say that their dreams are not optional and then they give away their time to the vampires and focus their energy on things that don’t move them towards their goals. This is why people fail.
“Never surrender what matters most to the forces of what matters least!” Brian Tracy
Have a magical weekend!!
Corey
[Reply]
Wow perfect timing on this article. My pride and joy business I’ve owned for 2 years pooltime here in san diego is booming. My phone blows up everyday however I recently got my real estate license because I now want to make 7 figures and live in rsf. I find myself taking low paying pool repair jobs instead of being in the office building my new more lucrative business. Breaking my back doing a filter clean for $75 lousy bucks instead of floowing up on my open house leads that could potentially make me tens of thousands Great article! Perfect timing
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Keep us posted, Aaron!
[Reply]
The last 2 posts about this topic have been what I needed to hear. My wife and I opened or own practice 8 months ago and things weren’t working out like we had planned even though we were busting our tail. I kept telling myself learn to love failure and keep pushing (from another one of your lectures) but failure was taking its toll on me. We have started becoming more successful the last 3 months and this post was perfect about not doing the crap. I needed to stop being focused on what we had done and possibly worked out or not worked out and to keep looking for opportunities to hustle and get the results we are busting our tails for. I still have a long way to go but I am already repeating this in my head everyday, to not waste time when it is slow in the office and look only for the to opportunities to say yes to, and stop saying yes to everything. Thanks again.
[Reply]
Hey Darren!
Powerful word, “no;” it can change so much!
I have been working on this all year, thinking of how to stream line my life and get back to basics. I was running full tilt, constantly, and I wasn’t getting a head – with so many balls in the air, all my time and energy was directed at keeping them there, instead of progressing in any area.
I left a job for one that was closer to home, reducing my commuting time, and with a schedule that left me free on weekends. Then I set specific goals for this year (following your “Designing the 10 Best Years of Your Life” advice!), and scheduled time to work on them excusively. For example, one goal was spending more time with my kids, so now that I do not work Saturdays, this is a day I plan a fun activity with just them. Second, when I am doing something, I try to fully commit my mind to that place/activity. Instead of thinking about all the other things I need to do, or what I should be doing, or worrying about what I am not doing, I commit to the moment my full attention and enjoy it for all it is worth. I find that planning my projects and goals means less worry anyways, since everything is already set to go. I have greatly reduced my stress this way and find I am happier in general, there by able to focus more on the moment. A positive cycle!
And last, I said no to complaining. No more negative, toxic thoughts – surrounding myself with positive, and thinking about how great it will be when I reach my goals, and listening to inspiring people I can use as role-models instead of griping and whining. When ever my thoughts take a negative turn, I start counting my blessings, and remember where I am headed.
Thanks for the encouragement to say “no” and stay on track!
-Alissa
P.S. I love seeing your Sunsets on FB, it encourages me so much to keep working on mine!
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
August 1st, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Sounds like you’re making great progress, Alissa. Kudos!!! Be sure to keep us posted along the way.
(And THANKS… Glad you’re with us on FB!)
[Reply]
This is brilliant! What a great post.
Thank you.
[Reply]
Great Post!!!
Only once in while you come over this kind of great posts. Great job Darren… Thank you!
[Reply]
Darren:
Thanks for your mindful words and advice. Sometimes saying No is the hardest lesson that is taught. You remind us that it is often No, that leads to enhancement and forward progress. Thanks again.
[Reply]
Great Post Darren!
Such an important message for us all….
Deb Ingino
[Reply]
Hi Darren,
Saying No is really hard for me to do. For example, I currently live with my mom and on the weekends she is always bugging me to do this, go somewhere with her, or to come and watch T.V. with her and I get nothing accomplished. I live in Pa now and I really want to go back to Denver as soon as I can, and I just feel like I am stuck. The good thing is that I don’t have a social life at the moment, so saying no to friends isn’t hard…Because I don’t have any except for on facebook.
When I do tell her no, she gets mad and has an attitude with me and I love her to death, but I realize that I need to get out of this environment asap. I have some business opportunities but I feel like I don’t have enough privacy here, so I really don’t know what to do. I don’t have any lists started that you mentioned although I did write down 10 goals that I seen Brian Tracy do on his video. I understand that she needs me to help out and everything but sometimes I feel that she takes advantage of me and when I say no she pouts and cops an attitude.
Any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
[Reply]
Darren Hardy Reply:
August 4th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
When you live under her roof and her payroll, you are at her service. Get out on your own as soon as you can (assuming you are over 18!).
Time to become your own man… too much time under the nursing comfort of momma weakens your MoJo. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.
Leave the nest… whatever it takes. Time to fly and make yourself worthy of your name – go live VICTORiously!
[Reply]
Terrifully good info!!
[Reply]
Terrifically good info!!
[Reply]