Principles from Denzel Washington
Succeeding Together: The Transformative Influence of Support and Collaboration
Estimated reading time (3 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
Principle of the Week
"To achieve your dreams, you must apply discipline, but more importantly, consistency. Without commitment, you never start, and without consistency, you never finish." by Denzel Washington.
One story that exemplifies Denzel Washington's commitment and discipline is related to his preparation for the role of Malcolm X in the film of the same name. To accurately portray the iconic civil rights leader, Washington immersed himself in extensive research and preparation. He spent months studying Malcolm X's speeches, reading his autobiography, and conducting interviews with people who knew him personally.
In addition to the intellectual preparation, Washington also physically transformed himself for the role. He gained weight, learned how to imitate Malcolm X's distinctive voice and mannerisms, and even grew a beard to match his appearance. Throughout the process, Washington maintained unwavering discipline and commitment to capturing the essence of Malcolm X on screen.
This level of dedication and attention to detail is a testament to Washington's commitment to his craft. It showcases his belief in thoroughly understanding and embodying a character to deliver an authentic performance.
Another notable story that exemplifies the principles of consistency and commitment in achieving dreams is Elon Musk’s Space X story.
Throughout his career, Musk has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his ambitious goals and a remarkable level of consistency in pursuing them. For instance, when SpaceX was founded, the goal was to revolutionize space travel and make it more accessible. Musk remained committed to the vision despite numerous setbacks and failures and consistently pushed forward. SpaceX faced multiple launch failures before achieving success with the Falcon 1 rocket in 2008, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey.
The story of Elon Musk serves as a powerful example of how consistency and commitment can propel individuals toward achieving audacious dreams. It highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of obstacles, maintaining focus on long-term goals, and staying committed to one's vision, even when faced with adversity.
Question to Ponder
What projects or business ideas have you started but didn’t finish? Or wanted to start but didn’t? Do you know why?
Call to Action
Take a moment to evaluate your current situation:
Reflection and Inventory:
Take time to reflect on the projects or business ideas you have started but didn't finish or wanted to start but didn't.
Create a list of these projects and ideas, noting down the reasons why they remained unfinished or were not initiated.
Root Cause Analysis:
Apply the "5 Whys" technique to dig deeper into the reasons behind the unfinished or unstarted projects.
Start with the question "Why didn't I finish/start this project/business idea?" and continue asking "Why?" for each answer you generate.
Repeat this process of asking "Why?" at least five times to uncover underlying causes.
Identify Common Patterns:
Look for patterns or commonalities among the projects or ideas that were not completed or initiated.
Identify recurring themes such as lack of time, fear of failure, inadequate resources, competing priorities, or unclear objectives.
Prioritization and Evaluation:
Assess the potential value and feasibility of each unfinished project or unstarted idea.
Prioritize them based on personal interest, market demand, potential impact, and available resources.
Goal Setting and Planning:
Set specific and achievable goals for the selected project or idea you want to pursue.
Break down the goals into actionable steps, timelines, and milestones.
Use techniques like SMART goal setting (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
Mitigating Obstacles and Risks:
Anticipate potential obstacles or challenges that hindered progress in the past or may arise during the new project.
Develop strategies and contingency plans to address these obstacles and mitigate risks.
Seek advice or mentorship from experts with experience in the relevant domain to gain insights and guidance.
Accountability and Support:
Share your goals and plans with an accountability partner or mentor who can support and hold you accountable.
Regularly review your progress, seek feedback, and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.
Remember that each project or idea is unique, and the reasons for not finishing or starting can vary. By following this action plan and applying scientific frameworks, you can gain valuable insights, address underlying issues, and increase your chances of completing or initiating projects in the future.
Video of the Week
“Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship” by Denzel Washington
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 140 - The First 100 with Bethany Stachenfeld, the co-founder of Sendspark
Episode 141 - The First 100 with Devin Bostick, the co-Founder of Lucky Truck
And that’s a wrap for now!
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