This is the landscape for a Focus Map:”

“

High-Impact Behaviour (very effective at helping me)

No (I can’t get myself to do this behaviour)

Yes (I can get myself to do this behaviour)

Low-Impact Behaviour (not effective at helping me)

A serious problem with reactive language is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. People become reinforced in the paradigm that they are determined, and they produce evidence to support the belief. They feel increasingly victimized and out of control, not in charge of their life or their destiny. They blame outside forces—other people, circumstances, even the stars—for their own situation.

Without involvement, there is no commitment. Mark it down, asterisk it, circle it, underline it. No involvement, no commitment.

The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. And this can best be done in the context of the week.

My friend,” I said, “you can’t talk your way out of problems you behave yourself into.