From the outside, 1% success looks like a selfish act, but it’s truly one of the most selfless things you can do. On your path to this next level, be a role model… an example of what can be done when passion, discipline, and commitment come together. Teach others, by your own example, what it looks and feels like to achieve more than once thought possible.

Share this exciting time with those around you. Help them see their own hidden potential. Write about it, talk about it, video your steps. Your personal roadblocks, once shattered, may help a stranger’s potential roadblock never come to existence.

Look at your picture from THEIR point of view. How will their experience change after witnessing your amazing breakthrough? Lives will be altered, most of which you’ll never hear about. Know this, though: Your passion for greatness will spark others’ motivation for more.

1% success isn’t for your touch only … it’s meant to be passed along. So, remember, during your many selfish moments of struggle … a life will be touched tomorrow by your actions of today. As sweat and frustration show on your face, know it’s this process that will ultimately affect the next person who dares to strive past his comfort zone.

It’s easy to get lost in your own moments of achievement, often forgetting how decisions and actions will affect those around you. Never forget. You ARE an example. 1% is meant to be shared!

It’s 6:00 p.m., and game time starts at 7:00. I’m in the locker room getting changed into my uniform. The smell of the freshly washed #10 jersey creates an instinctive excitement I’ve had since I began playing basketball in 3rd grade. 9 years later, here I am getting ready to play in a Southern California All Star game with some of the best players in this part of the state.

I finish folding my khaki pants and dress shirt that was mandatory to wear to game nights, and put them in my locker. After putting on my uniform and sweats, I look down and notice I forgot to take off my dress socks. The nerves have officially taken over. This specific locker room is especially hot … or I’m especially nervous. Either way, sweat is already pouring down my face in anticipation of tip-off.

“I need a backup plan … just in case I fail.”

That way of thinking guarantees you won’t make it. I achieved the most success when I had nothing left to “fall back on.” This type of desperation created a focus for me that would’ve been unattainable if a safety net waited below. When I had no other options, I took action I never would’ve taken. The backup plan would’ve taken away all need to achieve.

Not having a safety net was a bit scary, but it awakened survival instincts inside me I never knew existed. It’s counterintuitive, I know, to create a plan of action without having a backdoor, “just in case…” Trust that you’ll respond with detailed precision you didn’t know lived inside.

Before making this type of commitment, you first must totally commit to the process in front of you. Getting bogged down in “what-if’s” will kill all action. Becoming immersed in the excitement of the journey will free you from worry.

Backup plans eventually become your ‘now plan.’ Wanting to achieve isn’t enough. As prior posts have repeated… “You must want success as much as you want to breathe.” There must be a willingness to sacrifice all that gets in your way of attainment. Failure is never an option. When you create a backup plan, failure not only becomes a possibility, but it also becomes a probability.

Risk it. Dive off the cliff, not knowing how you’ll survive the fall. Develop a plan of action on the way down, knowing you’ll land successfully.

What does it look like? How does it smell? Is there a taste? Can you feel the texture in between your fingers? Is it painted with a specific color? Who will be the first person you call when it’s achieved? Will there be tears or strictly laughter and excitement. Releif may take over, but will you forget how hard you worked?

Have you planned a celebration after you reach the end? Do you understand there’s no such thing as the “end?” What needs to be done, that isn’t now? Do you go to bed focused on what it looks, smells, and tastes like? When you wake up in the morning, is your mind consumed with attainment? What will you be wearing?

What strengths have become even stronger during this process? Have your weaknesses turned into strengths? Has your confidence graph shot upwards? How will your friends and family react when you give them the good news? Will you thank the naysayers for fueling your fire?

Right now, what’s missing from the #1% equation? Why is it missing, and what will you do to change it? Are there excuses hanging around? If yes, when will they disappear? If no, congratulations … that’s a huge success in itself.

When you think about this amazing accomplishment, does your forehead sweat from anticipation? Do you need to wipe your palms off on your pants? Does your heart race and breathing get deeper? Are you losing sleep yet?

Details of your visual will either speed up the process, or create a holding pattern for your success. As always … you choose!