Creating a Better Life

How to “Make It Great!”

Usually when I lie down in bed to read, I know what’s going to happen. No matter kind of book I have, whether it’s a novel or a personal development book, my eyes start to droop, the words get blurry, and I’m out like a light. There must be some connection in my brain that says “If you are reading and lying down, it’s time to go to sleep.”

Phil Gerbyshak’s book, 10 Ways to Make It Great!, somehow broke that neurological connection, and I finished it in one sitting (laying).

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I got my copy of “10 Ways to Make it Great” by pure luck. I participated in a group writing project by Phil, who asked his readers to either comment or write an article listing their 3 favorite books. He would then pick one random entry and send that person a copy of his book.

Guess who won.

I’ve actually been pretty backlogged when it comes to writing my thoughts on books and products (only two more left!). I honestly wish I’d have read and written about his book sooner, but maybe it happened at the perfect time. This post was a long time coming, but really reading and digesting the book was worth the wait.

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In the book, Phil outlines his 10 ways to Make it Great!

1. Begin at the End and Work Toward Today
2. Learn About Yourself as Much as Possible
3. Use the 80/20 Rule as a Key to Your Success
4. Never Stop Learning!
5. Surround Yourself With Those Who Can Help You
6. Feed Your Frendlies
7. Dream Big Things, Do Big Things!
8. Work Hard Now… or Work Hard Forever!
9. Recharge Your Batteries
10. Finish What You Start… and Just Get Started
11. Go the Extra Mile (get it ? He goes to eleven in version 2.0)

Along with each of these topics, Phil has 22 Action Steps you can take to help you put each of these principles into practice. Because we all know that just reading this stuff isn’t going to help, right? Right???

The principles that stood out most for me were “Surround Yourself With Those Who Can Help You” and “Finish What You Start… and Just Get Started”.

Surround Yourself With Those Who Can Help You

I’ve still got a bit of a lone wolf mentality. It takes a lot for me to say “I need help.” Many times I’ve been dragged kicking and screaming (call me Paris Hilton - sorry, I couldn’t resist) into my own better life by people who did for me what I couldn’t do for myself. But if we live alone for too long, and shun the company of others, we are going to end up… well, alone. While I still value my individuality and personal freedom, there’s a lot to be said for things like teamwork, friendship, and mentoring. Phil has some great suggestions for developing relationships and getting people to know you, rather than you just knowing them.

Finish What You Start… and Just Get Started

I’m more guilty of the first than the second. I love to start things, but after the initial fire has burned low it’s really easy for me to say “Hey, look at that, I want to do that now!” Other’s may have trouble just starting things up. This principle is about consistency and completion - in general, if you start something, consider that a promise to yourself that you are going to see it through. Of course, that isn’t always possible, but I’d be willing to bet that most of the time we say we have to quit, we really don’t have to - there’s another reason behind it - fear and boredom are big boogeymen for me. Push through the fear and spice up the boredom… I know from experience that when I do get something done, even when (especially when) I didn’t want to, the psychological rewards alone are well worth it.

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I usually don’t end my thoughts on books with what the copywriters refer to as a call to action - the statement that’s supposed to send people off in droves, waving their money around and wanting what you’re selling. But I’m going to change that this time:

Go Buy This Book.

Now.

(going to be) Making It Great!

A couple of week’s ago, I participated in Phil Gerbyshak’s Three Books that Changed your Life Contest.

And I won! A copy of Phil’s Book, 10 Ways to Make it Great!, is on it’s way to me.

There were some really great entries by Kirsten Harrell (Psy.D.), Rick Cockrum, Priscilla Palmer, Henok, and Jason (of Kim and Jason). Be sure to check out the original contest post for some great summer reading ideas!

Thank you again, Phil. You truly are, well, um… great!