The Difference Between Those Who Do and Those Who Might Have Done

What makes the difference between Those Who Do and Those Who Might Have Done?

1. Putting In The Hours. If you don't put in the hours, you won't get the outcome you desire.
2. Working On Things That Matter. You can do many things. But you do not have the time or money to do all things. So, work on the key opportunities available to you, the key problems that confront you, the things that really matter.
3. Actively Contributing. Spend time spent on making something happen. Merely thinking, consuming, reading, planning and learning accomplishes nothing on its own. One needs to take action.
4. Being Proactive, not merely Reactive.
5. Being Daringly Ambitious. The willingness to tackle gigantic, intimidating feats that nay-sayers protest "can't be done".
6. Completing Projects. Working till pay-off. Disciplining oneself to complete existing projects before starting new ones of a similar or lesser importance.
7. Being Narrowly Focused. Ruthless concentration on key objective. Ignoring all distractions.
8. Taking Calculated Risks. Life's uncertain. To play in the game of life, one must live with that uncertainty. Those who do not, are condemned to sit on the sidelines whilst the risk-takers collect their reward.
9. Piggybacking on Others Achievement. Using the work of others as your foundation. Seeking the help of talented, experienced and the knowledgeable experts. Entering strategic partnerships. Get the job done, without attempting to reinvent the wheel.
10. Accepting No Excuses. Never allowing obstacles, bureaucracy or lack of resources to be used as excuses. Nor letting office politics or image building divert from your main objective.
11. Being Self-Confident. You are capable of being world-class, and of thrashing your thoroughly mediocre and complacent competitors.
12. Trusting Own Judgment. Disregarding the skepticism of coworkers, industry pundits and friends who say all your new venture is pointless and doomed. They're too risk-averse, unambitious, pessimistic and short-sighted. To achieve great things, one must be willing to ignore the nay-sayers, and silently say to oneself  "no, you're wrong. Watch me and I'll prove it".
13. Always Searching For Opportunities. For under-served market niches and major new trends. For new technologies that could meet existing needs better, faster or cheaper. Drop less important tasks to seize these opportunities.
14. Being Decisive. Making a decision, then taking action.
15. Being Pragmatic. Working with the system, not wasting time and goodwill fighting bureaucracy, unhelpful people, incompetence, unfairness, limited budgets, unrealistic deadlines, office politics and government meddling.
16. Knowing How To Sell Ideas. To get major projects achieved, one must get ones boss, colleagues, investors, staff, and customers to buy into the idea. Don't leave this to luck. Sell them on the idea.
17. Picking Heroes and Mentors Wisely. Do-ers inspire and motivate themselves by looking up to those who have accomplished a great deal, raising their sights beyond the normal comparison peer-group of friends, coworkers and old school mates. Experienced, talented and knowledgeable mentors can help you avoid many pitfalls.
18. Continually Learning. Always increasing knowledge, to increase capabilities and productivity.
19. Being Reflective. Taking time for 'blue sky thinking', to identify trends and keep yourself aware of the bigger picture.
20. Working Smarter, Not Just Harder. Leverage technology, outsourcing, research, best practice, the experience of experts and commercially-available solutions.
21. Looking Ahead. Anticipating and preparing for future problems, opportunities and challenges.
22. Investing Time In Key Relationships. Your success can be helped or hindered by your boss, your colleagues, your employees and your customers. Build and maintain good relationships with all those whose help you may need. 

So, there are many factors that explain why some people accomplish far more than others. Contrary to popular opinion, high-achievers' success isn't just down to luck, backstabbing and workaholic tendencies. There are other factors at play.

The big rewards in life go to those who get things done, whilst working on things that matter. If you want that big house, that great car, and all the other trappings that go with it, you've got to learn to be someone who get things done. And you've got to systematically put that knowledge into regular use.

Grab a pen and paper, look through the 22-point list, and think about your work, examining where you have room for improvement. I suggest you come up with a list of next actions, and schedule them into your diary.

Learning to accomplish more isn't just about the money. Your time is finite, and every hour you invest in your work takes you one hour closer to your death. You owe it to yourself to make that time on this earth count.