What’s Your Story?

All of us tell stories about ourselves. Stories define us.

To know someone well is to know her story – the experiences that have shaped her, the trials and turning points that have tested her.

When we want someone to know us, we share stories of our childhoods, our families, our school years, our first loves, the development of our political views, and so on.

So what will be your story in 2014?

Let’s fast-forward one hundred days to April 10th and think for a moment about the story you are going to tell yourself and repeat numerous times to others.

Will it be a story of:

Redemption and how you turned things to go from down-and-out to being successful again.

Or…

Massive Success and how you started 2014 so fast and focused.

Or…

Regret about how you let so many opportunities slip by for yet another year.

Or…

Excuses and how hard it was to get anything done in the first 100 days because life kept on getting in the way.

You must accept this reality…in 100 days, a story will have been written about your life. The great news is that you control that story.

The narrative of that story will be a direct result of your inner dialog and corresponding performance.

Will You Be a Buyer or a Seller?

The FACTS are simply this; when it comes to the meat of your story, you are either buying or selling. If your story is one of redemption and massive success, then you are a seller.

You have sold yourself on the importance of starting the New Year fast, focused and fully prepared to take on a small number of big challenging goals.

You have sold yourself on the importance of discipline, commitment, and fortitude, and have stayed focused on driving results in spite of the world of options, and temptations that circle you all of the time.

And, you have sold yourself on the idea that perseverance is ultimately a physical, emotional, and spiritual demonstration of how badly you want to succeed and that no obstacle or setback will stand between you and victory.

If your story is one of regret, excuses, and under-performance, then you are a buyer.

The harsh truth is that you have bought the same excuses that have led so many others down the pathway of mediocrity.

The things you buy are procrastination; lack of discipline, the nonsense they masquerade around on TV and newspaper about how bad things are, and whatever else is your poison of choice.

Excuses are personality defects, a symptom of mediocrity, and a character stain in need of removal.

You Can Make Big Things Happen

To start 2014 with a bang rather than a whimper, you must become a seller. You must sell yourself on the power of your goals, and you must be willing to compete at the highest level.

To expect more and better results in the New Year requires that you push and demand more from yourself, because if the goal doesn’t challenge you, it cannot change you.

To be clear: You must begin working on a bigger, better and bolder story!

Why?

Because the clock is ticking. The importance of how you execute the first 100 days of 2014 cannot be overstated.

You must use the first 100 days to make major strides toward achieving your goals, because if you don’t, you’re going to be playing catch-up the remainder of the year and you will regret getting off to a slow start.

If last year’s performance was not stellar, then you must be honest with yourself and acknowledge that your existing strategies are not working.

The great game of 2014 is now on. It’s the perfect time to set the pace, build momentum and secure pivotal early wins.

Your ability and willingness to start the New Year strong is ultimately about choice and character. It’s about deciding that it will be so, then turning a flashlight to your soul to inspect yourself for will, courage and commitment.

The first chapter of your 2014 story is waiting to be written…

Is it going to be seen as the sad consequence of neglect, poor character, lack of direction and ambition, or will it be an inspiring example of talent put to good use in the intense pursuit of clearly defined year-end goals?

The 100-Day Challenge was created with a single purpose; to show you how to get more done in the first 100 days of the New Year than most people do over the course of 10 years. If you take the challenge, then we can begin re-writing your story to have the happy ending you want and deserve.

Shall we start writing your story?

Tell us here what you plan for it to say in 2014.

[Editor’s Note: Gary Ryan Blair helps business owners, corporate executives and sales professionals manage their time, set their priorities, and stay focused so they can achieve their goals, grow their business, enjoy more success and greater freedom. Click here to join Gary Ryan Blair’s 100 Day Challenge so you can make big changes in your life.]