4 Steps to Creating Your Extraordinary Life

Blog
Written By

No one sets out to live an ordinary life. Not you, not me. Deep inside each of us is a desire to make our mark in the world; to live an extraordinary life.4 Steps to Your Extraordinary LifeSomewhere along the way something happened and you ended up settling for ordinary. Possibly because you felt that extraordinary was out of reach or not for you. I love this insight from Brené Brown, “People would rather live disappointed than be disappointed.” People lower their expectations and silence their dreams, all in hopes of managing disappointment.That’s no way to live.It doesn’t have to be that way. An extraordinary life is within your reach. Some may doubt that it’s possible, but extraordinary is still available. If you have life and breath, there is still hope and time for you to live an extraordinary life.Before sharing how you can live an extraordinary life, there are two myths that need busting.

Busting Extraordinary Myths

Myth 1

Extraordinaries are born that way. They are the “endowed ones’, the naturals. You know them as “those people” with special gifts, talents, or abilities. Included in this group are actors, athletes, and artists as well as singers, swimmers, and superstars. They arrived on Earth with an extra something that others just don’t have. They were destined for fame and fortune.This myth leads people to believe, unless you arrived as an extraordinary, you are predestined to be ordinary.Here’s the truth: Everyone has at least one special gift, talent, or ability. Everyone! You may see it (your gift, talent, or ability) as ordinary because you are so close to it, and it comes so effortlessly, that you don’t see it as extraordinary. But it is! Your challenge is to identify your gift, talent, or ability and begin to embrace and improve them.

Myth 2

Extraordinaries are lucky and had overnight success. These are the people who just happened to be at the right place at the right time and boom! the world instantly recognized them as extraordinary and conveyed celebrity status upon them. They didn’t have to work for it; they just showed up, and it happened.Really?Myth buster: Most “overnight successes” did not happen overnight. They did thousands of ordinary "things" (whatever their thing is), usually in obscurity and way below the radar screen. Then, all of those ordinary things reached a tipping point, and suddenly, everyone knew their name.It’s like the 10,000-hour rule from Anders Ericcson that Malcolm Gladwell popularized in Outliers. The idea is that mastery comes after 10,000 hours invested toiling away often in anonymity. You work off the grid for years and steadily progress to the point you become an overnight success.Now that we’ve addressed those myths, how does one go from being ordinary to becoming extraordinary?I am so glad you asked![clickToTweet tweet="Becoming extraordinary requires extra effort, but it is fully within your reach." quote="Becoming extraordinary requires extra effort, but it is fully within your reach."]It’s the idea of gradually, then suddenly. Like compound interest, it builds slowly at first and then reaches a point of critical mass, becoming both notable and noteworthy.Becoming extraordinary requires doing more than the absolute minimum. It’s attention to detail, concentrating on the little things that others overlook. It’s the personal touch. It’s follow-up. It's a lot of small ordinary things done with extraordinary care and love that create a magical moment.Then, as you string together a series of magical moments, you reach the tipping point. When that happens, your ordinary life ceases to be ordinary and is “suddenly” extraordinary.If becoming extraordinary is so easy, why are so few people willing to pay the price? That's a great question. It led Roger Staubach to this conclusion.

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.

4 Steps to Transform the Ordinary

Here are four things that, when consistently practiced, will transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. They are Intention, Awareness, Connection, and Action.Intention[clickToTweet tweet="#Intention is the seedbed for all #extraordinary achievement. " quote="Intention is the seedbed for all extraordinary achievement. "]Your journey to extraordinary begins with an intention. Decide that you will not settle for ordinary as long as extraordinary is possible. Identify the mindset you need to create the masterpiece life you want to live. Develop a daily routine that grounds you in your desire and creates the fertile ground for the extraordinary to occur.Paulo Coelho described the result of intention in The Alchemist.

And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

AwarenessOnce you have set your intention, open your eyes to the opportunities around you. You will be amazed just how many opportunities await you. They were there all along, but you missed seeing them because you had not made yourself available to them.[clickToTweet tweet="#Opportunities are amazing: #intention attracts them, action multiplies them." quote="Opportunities are amazing: intention attracts them, action multiplies them."]ConnectionConnecting with people is the single best way I know to transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary encounters. Every single day we have multiple opportunities to connect with people: both in-person and on-line. Open your eyes to the possibilities for connection; when they arise, invest richly in the relationship. With increased intention and awareness, connections occur naturally, perhaps even supernaturally.[clickToTweet tweet="Connection begets conversation which begets relationships. Relationships fuel growth. " quote="Connection leads to conversation, conversations build relationships, and relationships fuel growth. "]ActionIntention, Awareness, and Connection all set the stage for action. You started out with an intention to make a difference for someone; through awareness, you discovered an opportunity. You seized the opportunity to connect. Through the connection you found a way to make a difference — it could be something as small as a kind word. It might be facilitating an introduction or investing in some pay-it-forward action.[clickToTweet tweet="Intentions are great, especially when coupled with an affinity for action." quote="Intentions are great, especially when coupled with an affinity for action."]

The Ball is in Your Court

If you have not declared your intention to live an extraordinary life, then that’s your starting point.

You are surrounded by opportunities to be extraordinary, AND you have everything you need.

Get started. If you do not have a morning routine that sets you on the path for extraordinary days. Start now!Determine now how you will start your day tomorrow to set you on the path to be extraordinary.Once you have set the intention, cultivate habits to increase your awareness of those around you. Put your phone away. Be aware of the people on your path and avail yourself of opportunities.When opportunities arise, connect. Speak a kind word to the barista, cashier, flight attendant, whoever crosses your path for more than a nanosecond. Be genuine and authentic, not plastic or dramatic. If they are wearing a name tag, call them by name. It’s a way to jump start the connection and conversation.And remember to take action. What kind of action is best? Whatever is most relevant at the moment. What do you see when you look at their face and eyes? Are they having a bad day? Looking stressed out? Offer a word of encouragement. Extend a sincere compliment for a job well done. Perform a small act of kindness clothed in compassion. Treat everyone you encounter with dignity and respect.If you follow these simple steps, you will end your ordinary days. Ordinary interactions will become extraordinary encounters that will grow like compound interest. Gradually, then suddenly you too will become one of the Extraordinaries.

Supporting Your Extraordinary Journey

Previous

Awakening to WHY
Next

The Problem of Ordinary