Robert Channing is an amazing man. Robert makes a living as a “speed painter,” mentalist, and motivational speaker (he also founded a speaker’s bureau, called Power Performers), and he knows a thing or two about decision making and taking action quickly.
When Robert is on stage at a business conference in front of thousands of people, it usually takes him 4 minutes to complete a painting on whatever subject the audience tells him. But when the producers of the television show “America’s Got’s Talent” asked him to paint live, they told him he only had 90 seconds to complete the act.
Says Robert: “The opportunity was too great to pass up. In a split second, I made a decision that could change my life. I made the decision not based on fear, I made it based on success. I can do it and I could do it. In a split second, I decided to rise to the challenge and not run from it.”
Thus, Robert told the producers: “Absolutely! I can do it”
You can see the result below:
In his book, “The Art of Split-Second Success,” Robert Channing reveals the lessons he’s learned by acting quickly and creating positive results “now.” Here are some of Robert’s tips for perfecting the art of split-second success.
Strategies to make decisions thinking about success, not failure.
1. Get up first to get the upper hand.
What would happen if you started your day 20 minutes earlier? How many more sales calls could you make per week, per month, and per year? How many projects could you work on pro-actively (as opposed to re-actively)? Acting first is one of the secrets to faster success. So get out of bed earlier and get on track with your goals.
2. Do the things that scare you first.
Do you have trouble getting things done when you sit at your desk each morning? According to Alok Bhardwaj, founder of startup Hidden Reflex, doing the “worst” things first increases your productivity for the rest of the day. Try it. When you start your working day, don’t start by answering emails or browsing the web; instead, start with the tasks you fear the most. Suddenly, the rest of your day will seem clearer and you will be able to attack your responsibilities with more energy and good spirit.
3. Create an “action” environment.
Where are you most likely to take action? To find the perfect environment, you must know what works for you. You must also be clear about what you are trying to accomplish. The perfect environment to repair your car is probably not the same to have a meeting with your suppliers. Your productivity will soar when you immerse yourself in the action environment that’s right for you.
4. Do homework.
Having all your tasks identified will let you know which one to execute to speed up your project more quickly. In the end, that time invested pays big dividends. Life works the same. Do the tasks of discovering what your big project will be and execute it.
5. Persist pays.
Sir James Dyson is the inventor of the Dyson vacuum cleaner. When asked about his new creative approach to cleaning surfaces, Dyson replied: “I made 5,127 prototypes of my vacuum before I got to the right one. There were 5,126 failures but I learned from each one. That’s how I came to the solution. Don’t pay attention to failures.” You may be one failure away from making it, one rejection of the opportunity of a lifetime, or one painting away from your masterpiece. Do not give up due to fatigue, depression or lack of motivation. Persist and keep moving towards the ideal outcome.
6. Press play!
You are more likely to take action and succeed if you are having a good time. For example look at vendors. People who like people do better in sales because they are willing to shake someone else’s hand or talk on the phone.
Following your natural inclinations gives you an advantage (and money in your wallet). Breaks are also an advantage if you have long projects to finish. After working for a long time, treat yourself to some fun.
7. Lighten the load.
If you want to capitalize on opportunities and build momentum in your career, stop “carrying your stuff” everywhere. Perhaps your “stuff” is your fixation on a promotion, or your concern with getting the latest technology for your job. Those worries drain your energy and divert your focus from what is really important. The lighter your load, the faster you’ll harness split seconds of clarity and power.
8. Multiply your results.
Use the latest technology to advance your goals. If you are a business advisor, use your smartphone to take videos of your meetings, conferences and workshops. Enable them for download, share them and reach a bigger audience. If you’re a chef, build your brand on a YouTube channel with fun videos where you teach people how to cook simple dishes in the comfort of their homes. Taking advantage of the speed offered by new technologies to get your product to consumers, you are accelerating your profits.
9. Say “no” more often.
Learning to say “no” frees up your concentration for the activities that produce the best results. Since there are so few hours in the day, the fastest way to get results is to invest time in the activities that get us to the end of our goals. Do not allow yourself to fall into the drama of others, or take other people’s problems as your own. You are the star of your reality show. Set limits and stick to them. You will earn their respect and you will be ready to act and create results quickly and when you want.
And remember, if you are really interested in creating your own business, you can purchase our book “How to create a company while working: Discover how to manage your time, manage your money and motivate yourself while creating a company and working for another” , where you will find all the information you need to found your own company, without having to leave your job.
