Bruce Lee's Top 7 Fundamentals For Getting Your Life in Shape

You Don’t Have to Chase Perfection to Become Perfect

When I was young, I once saw this rainbow. It was the closest I had ever been to one. It was really amazing. I could actually see it end in a clearing in a lush green park. Without a second thought, I began running towards it. But the closer I got to the rainbow, the more I noticed it fading before me. And when I finally got to where I was certain it ended, it disappeared! After relentlessly trying to find it and having no luck, I naturally gave up looking for it.

In life, I believe it is important to have a clear vision of your ultimate goals – that is, see the rainbow. But sometimes that goal might become too large or overwhelming that we end up procrastinating and lose motivation. 

They say “an inch is a cinch, but a mile is a trial.” Have big goals and a clear vision of where you ultimately want to be, but do not dwell there and wait for it to come to you. Set smaller stepping stone goals, and your ultimate goal will seem very easy to achieve.

For example, when you run a marathon, and your body is at the stage where it is passing its threshold of exhaustion, and you look up and try to see the next 4km you have left, the run would seem near impossible. Your body and mind would want to breakdown. But if you simply focus on making it to that street pole two meters away, then the next, and the next, you will finish the 4km before you even realize!

A big goal without smaller plans is simply a daydream. Having a big goal is not enough to get you there. It simply gives you a direction to head towards, but it’s the small steps you take and the smaller goals you achieve that drives you to where you want to be. By achieving each small goal, you build motivation and momentum. Your confidence increases and all of a sudden, the big goal will seem highly attainable.

But what if you don’t know what the smaller steps are? Sometimes a goal is so big that we simply have no idea how we will get there.

Every goal we have in life, small or large, we have to accomplish one or all of 3 things – to BE, DO or HAVE. So to figure out what you need to do, ask yourself:

Who do I need to BECOME before I ultimately become who I want to be?

What do I need to DO to be able to do what I want?

What do I need to attain or HAVE first before I can have what I want?

For example, if you want to become a healthier person, who do you need to become; what actions do you need to start taking; and what knowledge or resources do you need to have? By answering these, questions, you become clearer on what needs to happen before you achieve your ultimate goals, and hence you are able to set the smaller goals to help you get there.

Now, here’s the last key...

Some people have the motto “to strive for perfection” in what they do. The thing is, the pursuit of perfection is a pipedream, but the pursuit of doing each single action perfectly is NOT. As superstar Hollywood actor, Will Smith aptly said, “When building a brick wall, you don’t set out to build the greatest wall ever built. You simply lay one brick down the best that a brick can be laid. And do it again and again, until you have a great wall.”

Focus on what you can do right now and do it to your utmost ability in the QUALITY it needs to be done in; the QUANTITY it needs to done in; the TIME it needs to be done by; and the SUCCESS it needs to be done with.

If you do that, success is a cinch… 

If You Have A Dream, Protect It

The road to success is not normal. It is different. But if you do what most people don’t, you’ll have what most people won’t. There are numerous books written about this fact, including the aptly titled, “When they Zig, you Zag” by Simon Reynolds. 

Take a look around. Are the people around you leading successful and fulfilled lives? If not, then it’s time to start doing things differently for yourself. 

But here’s the catch, when you reach for your dreams, your journey will be lined with negativity and doubt. And to make things worse, most of them will come from your close ones, like friends, family and relatives. When people say you can’t do something, it is not because they don’t think you can do it, but it’s because they don’t think they can do it themselves. The limitation is so ingrained in their beliefs that they settle for what is “logical’ or “realistic.” And the dangerous part is that they will unknowingly try to impose their own limitations onto you. One reason why they do this is to protect you, without realizing that they are actually limiting you in life. Every time your parent says “come down from there; don’t touch that; don’t run; don’t climb that,” they are trying to protect you, but at the same time, they are also preventing you from discovering new things you are able to do in life. 

It is inevitable. You will get a lot of negativity. And some of them would sound like they really make sense or are very believable. Therefore the test is whether you can hold true to yourself and your dreams. And not be swayed by their reasons, logic and doubts.

When I began thinking of ideas for Invincible Worldwide, I got really excited and I would tell a lot of people about it. I’d share my dreams about making the brand big, being worldwide and also making a positively influencing people. All I got in return was negativity, doubt and reasons why I can’t do it, and why I would fail. But this is understandable. So not once did I feel resentment towards them. The reason why people doubt you is because deep down they doubt themselves. They don't think your dream is possible because they do not have the courage to pursue their own. I would often try to open their minds and motivate them to their potential, but without much result. I then came to the decision that the best way to motivate people and help them is to simply inspire them through your own actions and your own results. This was what I'd decided to do. 

Eventually, I realized the more negativity I got, the closer I was to success, as it meant I was on a different road to the majority.

See, when we were young, we never settled for anything less than what we wanted. Babies would cry relentlessly to get what they want. But as adults, we settle. We tolerate. We accept the idea that “this may not be what I wanted, but it’s good enough.” “Good enough,” “content,” and “satisfied” are some of the most dangerous words, even worse than “fear.” When you have fear, you are acknowledging something new and unknown. But when you become complacent, you stop trying, you stop reaching, and you stop growing.

Think about your life, what is it that you truly want in your life? What does your heart truly desire and long for? Decide what this is and set your mind onto it. And do not settle for anything less. That is the key to leading a truly successful and fulfilling life.You don’t necessarily need to know exactly how you are going to achieve your dream. You just need to know why you want it. If your ‘why’ is big enough, you have leverage, and the ‘how’ will come. And remember, the more negativity you get on your journey of success, the more you know you are on the right track, because you are doing what most people don't so you will have what most people won't. 

Are You On The Road To Success?

Success is a habit. Success is living in a certain way day in and day out. But how many of us are truly on the road to success with our habits?

We all say we want to be successful, but most of you want sleep more than you want success! 

Every time you know you are supposed to do something; when you should get up early; when you should work on that proposal; when you should prepare for that exam; but most of these times, there's a little voice inside that says "maybe later" or "there's always tomorrow."

See, every time you procrastinate and delay doing what you need to succeed, you are actually chipping away your success in your subconscious mind. Every time you tell yourself "maybe later," your subconscious interprets your decision as a sign that you do not want this bad enough. That is, whenever you take part in actions that are not conducive to where you want to go, you are actually self-sabotaging your success.

On the other hand, every time you do not feel like doing what you are supposed to do, but you do it anyway, you confirm to your subconscious your commitment to yourself. Every time you wake up that little bit earlier; every time you push yourself a little bit harder; every time you get up and do what you don't feel like doing, you are bringing yourself closer to success on a number of different levels.

Firstly, by doing what you need to do, you actually get it done! Hence, you move forward with your road to success.

Secondly, you develop one of the core traits of successful people – self-discipline. Unfortunately, some people never develop this skill throughout their whole lives. A study by the World Institute for Development Economics Research at United Nations University found that the richest 10% of the world accounted for 85% of the world's total assets. It is those with the most self-discipline who can achieve the success they desire. 

               

On another level, you affirm to your subconscious and your self-identity that you are capable of keeping your own words and getting things done. This in turns impacts on your self-concept, which numerous psychologists and success coaches believe is the root of all our results in our lives. 

So in each moment of your life, ask yourself, "are these current actions taking me where I want to go?" Success is your small daily habits, not the leaps and bounds.