The Achievement Habit

Stop labeling the world and start creating your own path to success.

1. Achievement Begins with Action

Many people stagnate because they focus too much on trying instead of doing. The difference may sound simple, but it’s the key to translating goals into results. Trying often involves hesitation and can paralyze progress. Doing, on the other hand, means committing fully to an action without second-guessing.

Life is filled with problems, but these are actually opportunities to learn and grow. The book suggests adopting the mindset that nothing is beyond change, including ourselves. By seeing problems as challenges to solve rather than dead ends, you create momentum to overcome hurdles.

For example, Oprah Winfrey’s experience shows how failure can fuel action. When she was fired from her first job as a TV anchor, she didn’t let it stop her. Instead, she used the experience to pivot toward becoming one of the most influential figures in broadcasting.

Examples

• A person launching a business decides to act on an idea instead of endlessly researching.
• A student struggling in a subject sees exams as a way to learn rather than as punishment.
• Oprah turned rejection into motivation for growth.

2. Meaning is Malleable

Meaning isn’t fixed or universal; it’s subjective and open to reinterpretation. If you see failure as final, it becomes a barrier. But if you view it as a lesson, it becomes an opportunity for growth. Understanding this empowers you to rewrite the narrative of your life.

The book highlights a story of two families dealing with Alzheimer’s. One family stayed positive and focused on making enjoyable memories, while the other let despair consume them. Their perspectives shaped their experiences, proving meaning is subjective.

By shedding unhelpful labels, you stop holding yourself and others to rigid definitions. Instead of viewing labels like “failure” or “loser” as permanent, you treat them as meaningless and move forward.

Examples

• Reframing a bad breakup as an opportunity for self-reflection.
• Viewing job loss as a chance to explore new career paths.
• Allowing room for personal and professional reinvention.

3. Excuses Hinder Change

When things go wrong, it’s easy to blame external reasons, like traffic for being late. But acknowledging that these reasons are often just excuses is the first step toward true accountability and change.

Excuses are an unconscious way to avoid tough decisions. Techniques like the Gun Test help overcome this. By giving yourself 15 seconds to decide, you avoid overthinking and act on what you likely already know deep down.

All decisions lead to the same inevitable outcome—life unfolds in its own unpredictable way—so rather than wasting time rationalizing, it’s better to focus on moving forward and learning along the way.

Examples

• Starting a personal project despite apparent time constraints.
• Accepting responsibility for lateness and planning better next time.
• Using the 15-second Gun Test to decide which career path to follow.

4. Reframing Problems Leads to Breakthroughs

Many problems appear insurmountable because we don’t define them clearly or see them from the right angle. By reframing the issue, you uncover alternative solutions or approaches.

For instance, if your bed is broken, the problem might not be fixing the bed but getting sleep. This shift in perspective leads to simpler solutions, like buying a new bed. Similarly, language plays a role—the way we describe problems influences how we tackle them.

Words like “but” often create unnecessary conflicts. Switching them to “and” can dissolve these blocks. For example, “I want to go out, but I have work” becomes “I want to go out, and I have work,” which feels less constraining and invites balance.

Examples

• Redefining “I can’t afford it” to “How can I make this happen?”
• Focusing on sleep quality instead of bed repairs.
• Changing “but” into “and” to open creative opportunities.

5. Success Requires Collaboration and Contribution

No one achieves great things in isolation. Learning from others and building authentic connections pave the way for personal and professional growth. Observing both the strengths and weaknesses of others can also teach valuable lessons.

The book uses Gandhi as an example. While he was an inspiring leader, his family noted his personal shortcomings. This duality shows how you can learn from someone’s successes without blindly idolizing them.

Genuine relationships, not superficial networking, are key. Sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration instead of competition can cultivate a supportive environment where everyone thrives.

Examples

• Learning teaching skills from Gandhi’s public leadership role.
• Building better work dynamics by fostering trust and openness.
• Exchanging creative ideas with colleagues rather than hoarding them.

6. See Yourself as an Achiever

Achievement begins with self-image. By identifying as someone who gets things done, you’re more likely to behave in ways that align with that identity. It’s about owning this perspective and actively shaping it as an adult, instead of passively accepting what others say about you.

A simple yet powerful exercise is asking five friends for your defining traits and comparing this to your own self-assessment. This helps you see overlaps and inconsistencies, which you can address to reshape your perception.

Long-term goals need flexibility. While it’s important to have a broad sense of direction, rigid plans often limit you. Embracing change as part of the journey sets you up for sustained achievement.

Examples

• Rewriting self-perception to say "I am resourceful" rather than "I am unlucky."
• Regularly revisiting personal goals to ensure they still align with your values.
• Adopting a mantra like “I am an achiever” to influence daily actions.

7. Align Language with Intentions

How you speak about your plans affects how you approach them. For example, saying “I want to do this” creates a sense of agency, unlike “I have to do this,” which implies obligation. These subtle shifts can greatly impact motivation.

Simple changes in language not only help clarify your goals but also make them feel more achievable. Positive phrasing also encourages others to support your plans and promotes collaboration.

Clarity in communicating what you desire helps strip away confusion, making execution faster and more focused.

Examples

• Swapping “I have to work” for “I want to achieve.”
• Using affirmative language in team settings to inspire action.
• Replacing “but” with “and” to dissolve perceived conflicts.

8. Failure is Part of Progress

Failure is often feared, but it’s an essential part of the learning process. Oprah’s firing early in her career shows how failure can redirect you toward opportunities you might not otherwise consider.

Changing your perspective on failure from fear to curiosity allows you to extract valuable lessons. If you treat failure as temporary, it doesn’t define your worth or capability.

Understanding that everyone fails helps normalize setbacks. It’s a reminder that failing doesn’t mark the end—it’s simply a step toward improvement.

Examples

• Oprah embracing setbacks to build future success.
• Entrepreneurs leveraging failed ventures to refine their strategies later.
• Learning a new skill despite early missteps to eventually master it.

9. The Journey is as Important as the Goal

While end goals provide direction, being too rigid can make you blind to alternative opportunities along your journey. Life is unpredictable, and success often comes from adapting to new paths.

Leaving behind a profession or project that no longer aligns with your values can feel difficult but rewarding. Checking in frequently with your motivations ensures you’re on the right track.

Questions like “Who am I?” and “What do I really want?” help you stay aligned while leaving room for flexibility.

Examples

• Changing careers mid-life to discover more fulfilling work.
• Letting go of relationships or jobs that no longer serve your growth.
• Taking detours that offer unexpected learning opportunities.

Takeaways

1. Identify one label or belief that holds you back and reframe it in a positive light.
2. Practice replacing “but” with “and” in your daily conversations to open up new perspectives.
3. Ask five people to list traits about you and compare them with how you perceive yourself to identify areas for growth.