Work Ethic and The Magic Number 10,000

Keep in mind that work ethic is a vital key to goal achievement. Whatever you do requires a great deal of effort to master. In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell writes about research that shows that it takes 10,000 hours to master something. In that case, you better love what you want to master. It’s a lot of work, but it shouldn’t be too much work.

Million-Dollar Question:
What do you love to do so much, you would do it free, but you do it so well that they will pay you?

(Adapted from Get ALL Fired Up! About Living Your Dreams – Excuse #19)

Q & A: How Do You Forgive?

Q: hi! Mr. Duncan, I think I’m at the right place at the right time. I told myself that I will learn how to forgive myself and other people and live in peace with them. But it is so hard and I don’t know what to do anymore. —Doreen, South Africa

Duncan Nugget® #178: They Say It, But They Don’t Live It

They say “I want financial independence” but, they don’t live financial responsibility. 

They say “I’m a christian” or “I’m a Muslim” or whatever religion but, they don’t live the true principles.

They say “I want a good man or woman” but, a lot of times they don’t live the life of a good man or woman.

They say “I want to be successful” but, they don’t live a life based on success principles and service. They don’t grind.

A lot of people say it, but…most don’t live it.

Million-Dollar Question: 
Do you live what you say?

Q&A: Your Amazing Words of Truth

Q: Hey Mr. Duncan, I was recently at two of your motivational speakings and I didn’t feel comfortable asking my question aloud. So here it is:

You got my attention when you spoke about what you’ve been through. I’ve also been through a lot, one exactly like you. And I’ve never told anyone about it, not even my mother.

I am an A+ student but I feel so much pressure to be better than average from others. I get up and down, my grades slip but I always manage to pull off a good grade. I plan on attending college and I know that I won’t always be able to pull off this stunt in college. I have dreams and the people who pressure me the most always throw me down by telling me I can’t or you think so… I explain everything, but I really need some of your amazing words of truth.

—Michelle J., Alpha School

The Unstoppable 5%

Statistics show that 95% of the people who make New Year’s Resolutions give up on them by January 15th? Not cool.

Million-Dollar Question: 
Are you part of the 95% or the unstoppable 5%?

Duncan Nugget® #163: The Difference Between a Hero and a Coward

The difference between a hero and a coward is not the lack of fear. It’s the lack of action.

The difference between someone who is making a difference and someone who is merely a bystander is not the lack of fear. It’s the lack of action.

Everyone from heroes to cowards; from difference makers to bystanders experience the same emotions of doubt, anxiety, and worry. Everyone has problems and issues—some greater than others.

When they are your problems and fears they can seem greater and more stressful than others because…they’re YOURS. Difference makers, however, refuse to allow any of those things to keep them from taking action. Cowards and bystanders don’t even know the meaning of action.

Million-Dollar Question: 
What is keeping you from taking action and what are you going to do about it?

The Difference Between Quitting and Giving Up

I recently talked to someone who had just quit her unfulfilling, dead-end job. She said to me, “Al, I am really upset. I feel bad. I have never quit on anything before.”

I felt her pain. I could feel where she was coming from. But two minutes after she said that, she was feeling a lot better.

Why? What happened? I helped to her understand the difference between quitting and giving up.

“Quitters never win.”

Garbage.

Sometimes quitters do win. Quit smoking? You win. Quit being lazy? You win. Quit blaming others for your mess? You win.

Quit a dead-end job and you will definitely win.

Some people quit because they give up. Some people quit in order to move up.

Million-Dollar Question: 
Are you giving up or moving up?