Powerful Acronyms for Focus, Persistence, and Committment
Power Acronyms 22-28
Hey!
So much has happened in the last several weeks that has caused me to delay the email recap of the Power Acronyms I’m recording and sharing every day on social media so it feels good to be back in the flow!
I’ll be posting Power Acronym 51 today and continue sending email recaps for the other sets of 7 over the next week or two to keep them sequential.
It has been great fun recording and sharing these, and I’ve truly appreciated the support so far.
This week’s Power Acronyms have a common thread of focus, persistence, and commitment. I hope you find value in them and the additional resources below each.
Links to additional resources via the Heroic app are affiliate links as part of my certification as a Heroic Coach and Ambassador. Purchases made after the provided 30-day free trial provide me with a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Power Acronym 22: P.R.I.D.E.
Pride is defined as a deep pleasure or satisfaction for one's own accomplishments.
As with any virtue, there are vices we should be aware of so that we live with a sense of pride that benefits us and others.
Beware of the vice of deficiency, where you don't celebrate how far you've come or own the wins you've experienced.
The vice of excess will take us to the realm where pride becomes one of the deadly sins; an inflated view of our own importance.
This Power Acronym helps us strike the right balance:
Personal
Responsibility
In
Daily
Excellence
When we approach our quest to pursue excellence while taking personal responsibility no matter the result (good or bad) it keeps us in balance with what Aristotle would call the "virtuous mean".
Thanks to my former football coach Bervin Brown for sharing this one!
Learn More about Personal Responsibility:
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
Be Proactive (aka Response-ability) +1
Power Acronym 23: F.O.C.U.S.
I wrote this Power Acronym years ago and have refined it over time.
Fundamentals - Any goal, no matter how big can and should be broken down into a series of small steps that will result in the result you desire.
Obstacle Optimism - Be ready for the obstacles that will attempt to shift your focus or test your perseverance. When the resistance appears, greet it with bold action.
Consistency - You don't need to know exactly how many hammer swings it takes to break through to the reward on the other side - just keep your attention on the process.
Understanding - Every action you take will better clarify how to improve your approach. Stay aware of what you're learning and apply it with each subsequent act.
Solution - Keep the solution at the forefront, not the problems you're facing. There's always an angle or shift that can be made as you pursue your end result.
Then start again!
Learn more about Focus:
Focus by Daniel Goleman - Philosopher’s Note
Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey - Philosopher’s Note
Power Acronym 24: W.I.N.
This is the most important question to ask yourself if you're looking to live and work intentionally, on purpose, and with skill.
What's Important Now?
Asking yourself this question moment to Moment, day by day, all the time is a powerful practice to focus your mind.
It's how you WIN consistently.
Launch yourself into a winning mindset by bringing your fully activated self toward this question.
Then DO something about it.
I heard this Power Acronym for the first time from a coworker and recently discovered that Michael Phelps cites it in his book, No Limits.
Learn more about W.I.N.:
No Limits by Michael Phelps - Philosopher’s Note
Power Acronym 25: S.W.A.G.
Fun acronym, real message.
Swag is commonly understood as the bravado, the peacocking, and the show...but what happens when it gets dark?
That's what this Power Acronym is about.
When we face real-life challenges in our relationships, our businesses, our communities...when real life humbles us...that's when S.W.A.G. means something more.
Strength
When
Adversity
Grows
It's about facing fear, pushing through the hard times, and discovering the stronger you in the face of adversity.
Stay strong 💪 S.W.A.G. on 😎
Learn more about Strength in Adversity:
The Obstacle is The Way by Ryan Holiday - Philosopher’s Note
Power Acronym 26: O.C.E.
You either have it your you don’t:
an Obsessive Commitment to Excellence.
This is either three letters and three words...
Or it's
Obsessive - the only thing I think about (is the next Power Acronym, for example)
Commitment - Persistent through resistance (I'm going to do at least 101 days of Power Acronyms)
to Excellence - I will ensure they are encouraging, enriching, and most of all, POWERFUL.
Now it’s time to answer the question this PA creates for us:
What is your obsession?
What are you committed to?
What does excellence mean to you?
Hat tip to Matt Soltys (@upgradedinvestor) for introducing me to this one.
Learn more about Obsession:
The Champion’s Mind by Jim Afremow - Philosopher’s Note
The 10X Rule by Grant Cardone - Philospher’’s Note
Power Acronym 27: P.P.P.
Sharing this because I need to concretize it in my own mind.
I'm ambitious, driven, and approach life with a desire to get better every day. But life will humble you. Remind you how much more work there is to be done.
These three P's for mental peak performance are helpful reminders when it's hard to focus and the weight of the world seems heavier than normal.
I'm reminding myself to focus on
the PRESENT
the POSITIVE
the PROCESS
it doesn't make the path less hard.
But it does give some solid footing.
Keep moving.
Learn more about Trusting the Process:
One Percent Better by Brian Cain - Philospher’’s Note
Stick with It by Sean Young - Philosopher’s Note
Power Acronym 28: N.D.C.Q.
Early mornings. Problems to solve. Stress. Setbacks. Tests of will. Failure. Growth. Surprise thunderstorm ⛈️ that knocks power out for the entire area.
What next?
Not my best video but it's all I could muster for 60 seconds as life reminds me we are just getting started.
NDCQ is a mantra former Navy SEAL Richard Machowicz repeated to himself as he endured hell week in training.
Not Dead, Can't Quit.
It can be much, much worse.
I could still be sleeping past the beautiful quiet of sunrise, aimless in my approach and mission in life, without much to lose or to gain. I could have no experiences or opportunities in front of me. My house doesn't have power but it still exists and so does my entire neighborhood.
Is it hard sometimes? Yeah. Is it worth it? Hell yeah.
Not Dead. Can't Quit.
Won't quit.
Tomorrow isn't promised but if I live to see it, I'll be ready.
Learn more about Persistence:
Unleash the Warrior Within by Richard Machowicz - Philosopher’s Note