Don Kowalewski
Writer. Ad Sales and Marketing. Social Media Content Creator. Aeropress Coffee. Makes the best salsa in the world.
The Don Daily – What Successful People Do
I’ve spent the last three years, and actually the decade before that, reading about successful people, reading books by people who research what successful people do, and listening to audio books and Podcasts daily and . . . like many people like me who read, attend seminars, and listen to audio books and Podcasts . . . I’m not successful.
That’s difficult for anyone to say about themselves, but when I look at my life and my career, I’m not too proud to say it. I’m. Not. Successful.
“But, Don,” you say, “you’re being to hard on yourself.”
Am I?
Successful people exercise. Successful people eat healthy. Successful people wake early. Successful people have seven habits. Successful people have clear goals, written down, and achieve those goals. Successful people work hard. Successful people work long hours chasing their dreams. Successful people meditate daily. Successful people have clear priorities.
Now, let me ask you . . . am I being too hard on myself?
I work every day at my job from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. That’s 9 1/2 hours. If I ask myself, Don, do you maximize those 9 1/2 hours? Guess what my answer would be? Ahem. Hardly.
I set my alarm every day for 5:15 a.m. In a seven day week, how many days do I pop outta bed, take the dog for a walk, and then come home and write (for myself) until 6:30 and the daily routine starts? Ahem. Hardly. Most often I lay in bed listening to a silly Podcast, dozing in and out of sleep until I absolutely have to get up at 6:30.
I know something about myself, if I do not eat anything after dinner, that I can pretty much lose weight super easy. Do I avoid snacks after 6:00 p.m.? Ahem. Hardly.
I know something else about myself. I am better, mentally, when I get 7+ hours of sleep. I almost always have a good day when I spend the time on my morning walk meditating while praying the Rosary (for a specific person, idea, or area of worry). See above. If I set my alarm for 5:15 a.m. and have admitted I hit the snooze until 6:15 a.m., and if I’m about to admit I sabotage my sleep by staying up too late …what do you think is the answer whether I mediate and pray daily.
I know I am highly effective when I get 7+ hours of sleep. So, with a wake-up time of 5:15, it would stand to reason I go to bed at 10:00 pm. Check my math, please. Do I go to bed at 10:00 p.m.? Ahem. Hardly.
So, again, I’m not defining “success” by my income (though, truth be told, it’s not where I wish it was), but by my ongoing battle to do simple things for myself that I tell myself I’m going to do.
If I ever really start doing the things that I know successful people do, I’ll have a better answer.
Don Kowalewski 