Celebrating My 52nd Birthday: The Power of Routine, Goals, and Affirmations

August 5, 2024

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Today marks my 52nd birthday, and as I reflect on my morning, it struck me how the routine I follow daily continues to shape my life. I started my day by opening presents and cards, enjoyed a nice cup of coffee, and then delved into my daily ritual, writing down my goals and affirmations in my journal. This practice remains unchanged regardless of the day, be it my birthday, Christmas, or any other day of the year. The only exceptions are when I am traveling or on a plane, which requires slight adjustments.
When I first encountered the concept of having a routine for entrepreneurial success, I was skeptical. My initial exposure was through the book “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, which delves into the law of attraction. For those unfamiliar, “The Secret” suggests that through the power of your mind, you can attract what you desire. This idea fascinated me when I first read it in my early thirties. It seemed like a straightforward path to achieving my dreams. However, I soon realised that merely thinking about what I wanted was not enough.
This realisation led me to another pivotal book in my journey: “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Unlike “The Secret”, Hill's approach is more scientific and entrepreneurial. He combines the law of attraction with practical, actionable steps. This blend of mindset and method resonated with me and began to make more sense.
In my daily routine, I write down my goals using a specific formula. I’ll share a link below to a goals poster I use, which I sent out in an email earlier this year. This process involves affirming my goals and maintaining a clear vision of what I aim to achieve. For instance, I create a vision board each year and keep it in my wallet and on my desk. This constant visual reminder helps me stay focused.
One of the best birthday gifts I received today was a new journal from my daughter. It’s a perfect gift as it means I can continue my practice in a fresh, new book. But how does this routine translate into real achievements? Here are two examples from my life.
First, I had a fun goal this year to go on a road trip around Europe in a particular car, a bucket list item. Writing this goal down every morning helped me plan meticulously and ultimately take this fantastic trip a couple of weeks ago. It happened because I paid daily attention to it and turned my goal into reality through consistent effort.
Another example is my relationship goal for this year. I aimed to have six trips away with my wife. Given my frequent travels, fitting these trips into our schedules is challenging. However, by focusing on this goal every day, I am making progress. These trips are crucial for our relationship, and my daily habit of writing down this goal keeps it top of mind, ensuring we make time for each other.
The essence of this practice is creating habits that pre-program our unconscious mind. As Napoleon Hill suggests, our unconscious mind drives 95% of our thinking. When we constantly focus on our goals, we are more likely to take the necessary actions to achieve them. Action is the key, a point that “The Secret” misses by not emphasising the importance of taking tangible steps towards our dreams.
Whatever you aspire to achieve in life, consider incorporating these tools into your routine. They may seem a bit "woo woo" initially, but they are grounded in common sense and science. Reflecting on my career and life, the times I neglected this practice were the times I fell short of my aspirations. It’s not magic; it’s a systematic approach to success.
Set your goals, make it a habit to write them down daily, and your brain will naturally steer you towards taking the necessary actions. And remember, if your goals are ambitious, even if you don't fully achieve them, you’ll get much closer than if you had set modest ones.
For more insights on goal setting and personal development, check out Blam.TV on YouTube and follow me on Instagram @grandstaincom. Here’s to achieving your dreams!
https://www.blam.online/download-goals-poster  See you on the next one!
To your success,
Grant

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