I just loved the counterintuition in this book.

“The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure” by Grant Cardone is about a powerful approach to setting and achieving goals. The premise of the 10X Rule is that you should set targets that are 10X higher than what you initially thought possible, and then take 10X more action than you previously believed necessary to achieve them. Cardone argues that by adopting this mindset, you can achieve extraordinary success.

Many people tend to overestimate what they can do. They take on commitments until they are so full they can’t deliver. Technology makes it worse by creating the illusion we can increase our goals without an increase in effort, time, and resources. But if technology is so awesome, why are mental health issues and cardiovascular diseases on the rise everywhere technology is advanced?

Get rid of commitments that are neither important nor urgent.

See, energy is finite; effort can exhaust that energy and sap our joy. Cardone’s counterintuitive idea is that yes, but if one’s goals were BIG ENOUGH, the opposite happens: you get tired, but the sense of fulfillment will make you want to jump out of bed the next day to do it all over again.

But we must be willing to take massive action. We must be willing to go above and beyond the ordinary effort required, relentlessly pursuing our objectives, and constantly pushing ourselves to do more.

The 10X Rule requires that you face the fears and obstacles that stand in your way. Do not, however, think you have to unleash a tsunami: a small but constant trickle will cut ravines into mountains.

Your commitment and dedication must not waver.

Commitment and dedication require you to take full responsibility for your own success. Opportunities will never be handed to you on a plate, but blame will be heaped on you. So what. Take ownership of your mistakes. Another counterintuitive idea: owning one’s mistakes motivates because you admit you have power.

So, here’s Cardone’s kick-a** advice:

Think BIG. Identify your personal and professional goals, then multiply them by ten. This will push you to think bigger and aim higher than ever before.

Make a plan. Outline the steps and the actions you must perform to achieve your massive goals. Be realistic about the effort required and be prepared to invest significant time and energy.

Take massive action. Commit to taking 10X more action than you first thought necessary. You may have to work longer hours, invest more financial, technological or emotional resources, and get out of your comfort zone.

Track your progress. Assess and adjust your plan of action as needed. Hold yourself accountable for your achievements and setbacks. Tracking massive goals have great power to motivate and inspire creativity.

Persist. Stay determined and committed especially in the face of setbacks. Stay focused.

Embrace responsibility. Take ownership of your success. Seek out opportunities. Recognize that your achievements are the result of your own efforts.

The hard part, of course, is execution. I will write about that in my next blog.

(Q.C. 230406)