2. NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
► PLAN “IF
THEN”
MOMENTS FOR
ACTIONS &
DISTRACTIONS
► ACTIONS
► PLAN
► OBSTACLES
► HONEST &
REGULAR
FEEDBACK
► FOCUS ON JOB
COMPLETION
► BE POSITIVE,
BUT REALISTIC
► REALIZE IT
WILL NOT BE
EASY
► EMBRACE THE
NEW AND
UNFAMILIAR
► ALLOW
YOURSELF TO
SCREW UP
￭ Avoid distraction
and grab
opportunities
before they slip
through your
fingers.
￭ Decide in
advance when
and where you
will take each
action to reach
your goal.
￭ Make a list of “if
this happens,
then I will do
this” related to
your goals, being
as specific as
possible.
￭ Include if-then
related to
scheduling a self-
monitoring of
your progress
towards goal.
￭ Know exactly
what you want to
achieve.
￭ Think about the
specific actions
you need to take
to reach your
goal.
￭ Remove the
possibility of
settling for “good
enough”.
￭ Get specific about
the obstacles in
your way.
￭ Picture yourself
and imagine the
feeling of
achieving your
goal.
￭ Go back and forth
between targets
and obstacles.
￭ Honestly and
regularly monitor
progress made
or not made –
daily, weekly, etc.
depending on
goal duration.
￭ Keep self-
monitoring to a
minimum if you
are learning
something totally
new.
￭ Focus on what’s
left, not what
has been done.
￭ Avoid premature
sense of
accomplishment.
Avoid confusion
and slack from
seeking
“progress
balance” among
“other”
important goals.
￭ Success does not
happen to you.
You make it
happen.
￭ Don’t visualize
success; visualize
the steps you will
take to make
success happen.
￭ Engage in lots of
positive thinking
about how likely
you are to
achieve your
goal, without
underestimating
difficulties.
￭ Do no believe
you will succeed
easily. Effort,
careful planning,
persistence and
the right
strategies will
take you there.
￭ Don’t focus on
goals that prove
to you and
others that you
are already good
somewhere.
￭ Develop and
acquire new
skills. It will
reduce your
anxiety when
facing challenges
and improve
your overall
ability to reach
goals.
￭ Think in terms of
progress, not in
terms of
perfection. There
is a learning
curve and it
takes some time.
► COMMIT TO LT
GOALS AND
PERSIST
► CHANGE IS
POSSIBLE
► CHALLENGE
YOURSELF, A
BIT MORE EACH
TIME
► AVOID
TEMPTATIONS
► DON’T KID
YOURSELF
► PLAN FOR
BEHAVIOR
REPLACEMENT
￭ Your ability is
malleable. It
changes with
effort and
experience. All
you need is
courage and
resolve.
￭ Don’t give up in
the face of
difficulty. Try
harder.
￭ Believe you can
succeed. It is
critical to
examine your
beliefs, and
when necessary,
challenge them.
￭ If you think you
are not good at
something, tell
yourself you are
not good at it…
YET!
￭ Take on a
challenge that
requires you to
do something
you’d honestly
rather not do.
￭ Start with one
activity that fits
with your life and
your goals.
Something that
requires to
override an
impulse or
desire. Make a
plan for how you
will deal with
troubles and
temptations
when they occur.
￭ When under
temptation, think
about people
you know who
have a lot of self-
control.
￭ Don’t put
yourself in
harm’s way,
exposing yourself
to temptations
that you assume
you will be able
to handle.
￭ Avoid pursuing
two goals that
require a lot of
self-control.
￭ Think about
when you are
most likely to
feel vulnerable
and make a plan
to keep yourself
at harm’s way.
￭ Think about the
behaviors that
sabotage your
success. Do not
focus on them in
terms “I will not
do this”. Rather,
replace them
with other
behaviors.
￭ Plan how you
will replace
counter-
productive
behaviors with
more
constructive,
profitable ones.
Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

3. ►ACTIONS
►PLAN
►OBSTACLES
￭Know exactly what you want to achieve.
￭Think about the specific actions you need to take to reach your goal.
￭Remove the possibility of settling for “good enough”.
￭Get specific about the obstacles in your way.
￭Picture yourself and imagine the feeling of achieving your goal.
￭Go back and forth between targets and obstacles.
Get specific

4. Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
What is my goal? <my goal is to…>
How will I know when I
have succeeded?
<describe the moment when you will know that you have reached your goal>
Rewrite goals using this
info
<my goal is to …>
Two positive aspects of
reaching my goal:
1.
2.
Two obstacles that lie
ahead:
1.
2.
<Positive aspect 1> <write a few sentences about what it will be like to experience it>
<Obstacle 1> <write a few sentences about why this is a problem>
<Positive aspect 2> <write a few sentences about what it will be like to experience it>
<Obstacle 2> <write a few sentences about why this is a problem>
What are my next steps?
1. <Step 1>
2. <Step 2>
3. <Step 3>

5. ►PLAN “IF THEN” MOMENTS
FOR ACTIONS & DISTRACTIONS
￭Avoid distraction and grab opportunities before they slip through your fingers.
￭Decide in advance when and where you will take each action to reach your goal.
￭Make a list of “if this happens, then I will do this” related to your goals, being as
specific as possible.
￭Include if-then related to scheduling a self-monitoring of your progress towards
goal.
Seize the moment to act on your goals

6. Seize the
moment
to act on
your goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
Which are the CRITICAL
ACTIONS I need to take to
reach my goal? When and
where should I take them?
What are the critical
situations?
Critical actions When and where it should be taken
1. <critical action 1> <when and where>
2. <critical action 2> <when and where>
3. <critical action 3> <when and where>
If-then statements on
critical actions:
1. If <when and where>, then I will <critical action 1>
2. If <when and where>, then I will <critical action 2>
3. If <when and where>, then I will <critical action 3>
OBSTACLES – temptations,
distractions, events – and
reactions
Temptation, distraction, event How I will react
1. <temptation, distraction, event, …> <my reaction>
2. <temptation, distraction, event, …> <my reaction>
3. <temptation, distraction, event, …> <my reaction>
If-then statements on
obstacles:
1. If <this obstacle comes along the way>, then I will <react in this way>
2. If <this obstacle comes along the way>, then I will <react in this way>
3. If <this obstacle comes along the way>, then I will <react in this way>

7. ►HONEST & REGULAR FEEDBACK
►FOCUS ON JOB COMPLETION
￭Honestly and regularly monitor progress made or not made – daily, weekly, etc.
depending on goal duration.
￭Keep self-monitoring to a minimum if you are learning something totally new.
￭Focus on what’s left, not what has been done.
￭Avoid premature sense of accomplishment.Avoid confusion and slack from seeking
“progress balance” among “other” important goals.
Know exactly how far you have left to go

8. Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly
how far
you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
How often will I assess my
progress towards my goal?
I will check on my progress every <…>
Where will the information
on progress come from?
To know where I stand, I need information on <>
How will I get this info? I will get this information from/by <…>
What kind of
support/tool/material will I
use as a reminder to
perform a self-assessment?
I will use <calendar alarm, post-its, memo, etc.> to remind me to perform a progress assessment.
What will I do after the self-
assessment?
At the end of my assessment, I will stop to think about what still needs to be done in order to reach my goal. I
will focus on how far I have left to go, not on how far I’ve gone.

9. ►BE POSITIVE, BUT REALISTIC
►REALIZE IT WILL NOT BE EASY
￭Success does not happen to you.You make it happen.
￭Don’t visualize success; visualize the steps you will take to make success happen.
￭Engage in lots of positive thinking about how likely you are to achieve your goal, without
underestimating difficulties.
￭Do no believe you will succeed easily. Effort, careful planning, persistence and the right
strategies will take you there.
Be a realistic optimist

10. Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
If am doubting myself, then I
will remember this
Remember the time I <achieved a goal> by carefully addressing and working on <problems, constraints,
issues>.
What are the obstacles,
difficulties, and setbacks I am
likely to face?
I know that on the road to success, I will be confronted with:
1. <problems, issues, setbacks, etc.>
2. <problems, issues, setbacks, etc.>
3. <problems, issues, setbacks, etc.>
I am confident because I know
that if problems arise, I know
who I will tackle them – also
with my “plan B”.
Problem, obstacles, difficulty How I will react and tackle them
1. 
2. 
3. 

11. ►EMBRACE THE NEW AND UNFAMILIAR
►ALLOW YOURSELF TO SCREW UP
Focus on getting better, rather than being good
￭Don’t focus on goals that prove to you and others that you are already good
somewhere.
￭Develop and acquire new skills. It will reduce your anxiety when facing challenges and
improve your overall ability to reach goals.
￭Think in terms of progress, not in terms of perfection. There is a learning curve and it
takes some time.

12. Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
Am I proving I’m already
good or am improving?
What is this initiative I have taken? Am I doing something just to prove my self and others that I am already
good at something? What for?
Or am I taking on a new challenge to add a new skill to my talents and learn something new? Something that
will stretch myself?
Remember that something
new is a challenging
journey
If I am facing a difficult project, if it is unfamiliar, that’s great. I know I will need some time and that I will make
some mistakes. But it’s ok. I know I’ll succeed in the end.
Who can help me? Remember there is no shame in asking others’ help. They will probably enjoy giving you a hand.
Who are you comparing
yourself to?
Don’t compare yourself and your current performance to others. Compare yourself to your past performance?
Are you improving. That’s the only thing that matters.

13. ►COMMIT TO LT GOALS AND PERSIST
►CHANGE IS POSSIBLE
￭Your ability is malleable. It changes with effort and experience.All you need is courage and
resolve.
￭Don’t give up in the face of difficulty.Try harder.
￭Believe you can succeed. It is critical to examine your beliefs, and when necessary,
challenge them.
￭If you think you are not good at something, tell yourself you are not good at it…YET!
Have grit

14. Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
Which are the aspects of
your job that you feel you
are not good at?
I am not good enough at
1. …
2. …
3. …
Remember:
Improvement is always possible. It is a matter of courage and resolve. It is about determination and exercise,
exercise, exercise.
How can you improve
your abilities in this
areas?
I am not good enough at this, yet: How I can improve
1. 
2. 
3. 

15. CHALLENGE YOURSELF,
….A BIT MORE EACH TIME
￭Take on a challenge that requires you to do something you’d honestly rather not do.
￭Start with one activity that fits with your life and your goals. Something that requires to
override an impulse or desire. Make a plan for how you will deal with troubles and
temptations when they occur.
￭When under temptation, think about people you know who have a lot of self-control.
Build your willpower muscle

16. Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
Choose an activity that fits your
life and goals, something you
want to improve and requires to
override impulse or desire
..
What will I do if I fall under the
temptation to go against my
goal?
If I think I am going to fall under the temptation of doing something that is against my goals…
… I will think about <a person who has a lot of will power>
…and/or I will <do something that will take me away from the temptation>

17. ►AVOID TEMPTATIONS
►DON’T KID YOURSELF
￭Don’t put yourself in harm’s way, exposing yourself to temptations that you assume you will
be able to handle.
￭Avoid pursuing two goals that require a lot of self-control.
￭Think about when you are most likely to feel vulnerable and make a plan to keep yourself at
harm’s way.
Don’t
tempt fate

18. I am going to tackle one
willpower challenge at a
time
1. First of all, I want to resist the temptation to <temptation/goal>
2. Once I feel confident that my willpower will be strong enough, I will take on my second big challenge:
<challenge>
…and/or I will <do something that will take me away from the temptation>
Which are the times and
situations in which I am
most vulnerable to
temptation?
How can avoid them?
I am most vulnerable to go against my goals
and fall into temptation when…
As soon as I realize that I could be falling
into temptation, I will…
1.
2.
2.
Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY

19. ►PLAN FOR BEHAVIOR REPLACEMENT
￭Think about the behaviors that sabotage your success. Do not focus on them in terms “I will
not do this”. Rather, replace them with other behaviors.
￭Plan how you will replace counter-productive behaviors with more constructive, profitable
ones.
Focus on what you will do, not what you
won’t do

20. Seize the
moment to
act on your
goals
Know
exactly how
far you have
left to go
Be a
realistic
optimist
Focus on
getting
better,
rather than
being good
Get
specific
Have
grit
Build your
willpower
muscle
Don’t
tempt fate
Focus on
what you
will do, not
what you
won’t do
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
NINE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY
Reframe a stopping goal in
terms of starting, deciding
what you will do instead
Instead of doing this, and if I feel the urge
of doing this,
I will do this instead:
1.
2.
3.