World Copywriting Blog: How I Can Explain My Success By Daily Habits... Or Lack Thereof?

This morning I got the head's-up from Joe Vitale that Aaron Potts has challenged other bloggers to list the top 5-10 things they do every day to be successful -- and to post the list today.

That's funny because I had a dream about Joe Vitale about an hour earlier. He was at my house asking me for some advice, and one of my classmates from The University of Phoenix was there, too. Joe left and my classmate asked who Joe was. I explained that Joe had just been on Larry King! My classmate was impressed, to say the least.

So I could conveniently start my list by saying "I pay close attention to my dreams," and while that's true sometimes, it's not what I do on a daily basis.

For years I tried time management systems and other systemization systems to get myself into regular habits, but nothing ever seemed to stick. Things got done, mind you. But not on an even-keel, regular basis. More like in a "heated rush," to quote the lyrics of the Pointer Sisters in the song Slow Hand. Not so much that I would rush through things, but that there would be periods of focused intensity, followed by free-form periods which to my annoyance and amazement, nothing much seemed to get done.

This pattern might have tortured me all my life if it weren't for a Google AdWords ad that popped up to the right of my gmail email system (no, the address is private and you can't have it). It was for a book called The DaVinci Method. I bought the book and read it with entranced fascination. Suddenly, I understood something about myself that there was no explanation for before.

My life and the pattern haven't changed much since I read that book, but my peace of mind about not being at one with a DayTimer does.

In other words, most of my days are unique and different from each other. I pay attention to what's in front of me. I don't make a lot of plans. I get done what needs to get done.

But there are a few things I do worth mentioning:

1) I take supplements. The best one I've ever come across is called Max GXL. I get it through a network marketing company. If you're interested, email me at my regular email address and I'll send you info -- it's all online. I'm also a huge fan of Dr. Dave Woynarowski's supplements, and I take five of those: Monster Multi, Fish Oil, Instant Einstein, Immune Boost, and sometimes Sleep Wizard.

2) I exercise. Mostly, walking. I bought a rebounder and started using it, then stopped. I'm going to start again soon.

3) I follow my intuition. This has not been an easy habit to get into. First, I've had to learn the difference between messages from my intuition and emotional impulses. That's taken a long time. Secondly, intuition provides information but rarely instructions on what to do with the information. Learning how to interpret and follow up on that information is an art in itself, and requires quite a bit of left-brain (logical) discernment and finesse, in my experience.

4) I follow the Warren Buffett Triad. That's my term. I did a lot of research on Warren last year for an article I wrote for Denny Hatch's Business Common Sense ezine. Warren (the world's second richest man) claims he only does three things all day: He reads. He talks to other people. And he thinks. That Triad suits my temperment pretty well -- although I do other things each day as well.

If by now you're saying... "Gee, David. I didn't get much out of this post to help me with my own success!" ... I'll give you the one piece of advice that I can't quantify or label as a daily habit, but it is a continuous theme for me. Learn. Keep learning. Learn to learn better and faster. That's what I do and have done and I would say, bottom line, that is the entire secret to my success.

David Garfinkel
Publisher, World Copywriting Newsletter

Comments

What a fun article.

Posted by: Darlene | April 18, 2007 at 07:07 PM

When I understood the power of daily habits and how they determine the course of a person's life, it totally changed my life and business. For me, to enhance my professional skills, I study my craft daily and I read good literature. Personally, I think literature written during our grand-parents' time and before is best. This enhances your ability to critically-think, and craft well-thought out content that flows. Another item I would encourage, is to always have a daily to-do list. I would even advise putting up a chalk board or some kind of board where you can write on it with a marker so you can plan out your week. Hope this helps.

Posted by: Mike | May 01, 2007 at 03:11 PM

Thanks, Mike. It doesn't help me much as I have done and periodically do all of the things you mention, but not on a daily basis. I have found daily habits simply don't work for me. Period. After extensive testing and experimentation. Which was the point of my post.

For others, though, the things you mention may or may not be very helpful. I appreciate your sharing them with the community.

David

Posted by: David Garfinkel | May 02, 2007 at 03:35 PM

Hello

I have a bad daily habit that I'm trying to eradicate. I go to bed too late and get up too late.

I've resolved to put this right and, hopefully, become more productive.

Thanks for a great blog that's always worth reading.

Posted by: Mike Bell | May 07, 2007 at 04:01 AM

David,

I appreciate you taking the time to participate in the Simply Successful Secrets project, and I apologize for taking so long to swing by to check out your list.

I personally found it very valuable, especially what you said about the difference between your intuition and your emotional impulses. That is a critical difference that I think many people could learn from.

I'm winding up the Simply Successful Secrets project and I will be posting a master list of all of the secrets as well as a link back to the website of everyone who participated. Swing on by my blog on May 16th to check it out!

- Aaron
http://www.todayisthatday.com/blog/

Posted by: Aaron Potts | May 11, 2007 at 02:56 PM

Thanks, Aaron. No need to apologize as I see it; I'm glad you could come by and would like to commend you personally for launching this ambitious and inventive project!