#858 You: Athlete + Scientist + Director

In the Mastery component of our Heroic Coach program, we recently spent three weeks chatting about Algorithms.

In Part 1 we focused on the Big Picture and how important it is to, as I like to say, use our Willpower wisely to install Habits that run on autopilot via Algorithms.

(In many ways, our sessions were an interactive, super-practical integration of my latest thinking on the topics we cover in Habits 101, Willpower 101 and Algorithms 101—which happen to be three of my favorite classes. I kinda like crushing it. This wisdom might be my secret sauce. 🤓)

So…

At the end of Part I, we encouraged our Coaches to do an exercise in which they shined a bright light on the habit-algorithms currently running their lives—challenging them to identify 100 “If… Then…” algorithms.

Then we encouraged them to identify the 10 most powerful algorithms. And then to rank order them. (Kinda like we did in our 100-Question Exercise.)

Then we had them identify THE #1 habit-algorithm they could INSTALL that would have THE most positive impact on their lives and THE #1 habit-algorithm they could DELETE that would have the most positive impact on their lives.

Part 2 was all about INSTALLING that #1 positive habit. Part 3 was all about DELETING that #1 negative habit. Basically, the art and science of how to Install keystone habits then the same basic wisdom on how to Delete the kryptonites.

All of which gets us one step closer to the point of Today’s +1.

As part of Part 2’s discussion on how to Install the #1 habit that could change our lives, we talked about how to make it REALLY easy to win.

One of the key ideas was to get your mind right regarding HOW to develop the mastery to not just install any given habit, but how to master the whole PROCESS of installing habits at will. (← Secret sauce!!)

I suggested we approach the process like an Athlete, a Scientist and a Director.

How does an Athlete get good at their chosen sport? Ask any 6-year-old named Emerson at the Johnson House and he’ll tell you: PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE.

Of course, if we want to master habit-building (or anything else) we may want to consider remembering this wisdom.

How does a Scientist approach an experiment? With a (real and/or metaphorical) lab coat on, a clipboard in hand, and goggles on. Ready to collect data. It’s not about the experiment “succeeding” or “failing” per se. For a true scientist, it’s ALL JUST NEUTRAL DATA. No need for emotion. Just analyze the data. Run another experiment.

Of course, if we want to master habit-building (or anything else) we may want to consider remembering this wisdom.

How does a Director approach his or her movie? Does she say, “ACTION!” on scene one and then just roll the film for two hours until she gets to “CUT!” with one long, perfect movie done in one long, perfect take?! OF COURSE NOT. There are a lot of mis-takes. Lines are flubbed. Scenes don’t quite work. It’s ALL PART OF THE PROCESS. Just try again. Retake that mis-take. (As many times as it takes!)

Of course, if we want to master habit-building (or anything else) we may want to consider remembering this wisdom.

Athlete. Scientist. Director.

That’s Today’s +1.

Trying to master anything in your life?

Try those personas on Today?!

🏃‍♀️ 👨‍🔬 👩‍🎨