Ray Dalio is one of the most successful people alive. Time magazine says he’s one of the 100 most influential people on the planet while Fortune magazine says his company (Bridgewater Associates) is the fifth most important private company in the U.S. and Forbes tells us he’s one of the 100 wealthiest people alive.
How’d he achieve that extraordinary level of success?
Well, in his book Principles he walks us through precisely how he does it. In fact, he shares a “5-Step Process to Get What You Want in Life.” Let’s take a quick look.
First, let’s step back and look at a complementary framework Dalio shares. He tells us that the whole point of life is to evolve and he draws these beautiful upward spirals (see below) to capture the essence of a good life.
In short: We start with an audacious goal. Then we FAIL. Then we learn. Then we improve. Then we set even more audacious goals. And we repeat the process. Forever.
Now, our 5-Step Process to Get What You Want in Life mirrors that higher-level process of evolving. The five steps: Goals. Problems. Diagnosis. Design. Doing.
It goes like this:
Step 1. We need Goals. What do you want? Get clear. Visualize it. Know your why.
Step 2. Identify the Problems you’re facing that are preventing you from reaching your goal. Most (unsuccessful) people (with a fixed mindset) like to pretend that they’ll be able to achieve their goals without hiccups. The best among us, Dalio tells us, KNOW they will face obstacles and use them as fuel to evolve.
Step 3. Diagnose the problem. What’s at the root of your problems? Get clear.
Step 4. Design a solution to the problem. What do you need to do to solve the riddle? As Dalio would put it, build a “machine” that will solve your problem.
Step 5. Get to work Doing what needs to be done.
So, again. Goals. Problems. Diagnosis. Design. Doing.
It’s a REALLY robust model that reminds me of our WOOP process only crafted by an uber-practical authority on making dreams a reality. I highly (!) recommend you try it.
So… Today’s +1.
What’s your #1 Goal? Walk yourself through the 5 Steps and go make it happen.
(Then spiral up and repeat with a more audacious goal. Forever.)
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