Thank you for returning to "How to Be an A-Performer" course.

In this lesson, you will be guided on how to create Action Steps that will help you improve your performance. You will also be able to save or print your Actions Steps. You will not need to read any articles, write any essays or redo the Analysis.

However, if you would like to redo the entire lesson again, click here.

To increase your grit, you need to DO at least seven Action Steps in the real world.

Action Steps are things you go out and do. These steps are specific. You know when you start them and when they are done.

For example, deciding to have more courage is good, but does not give you more grit. Facing your terrible neighbor bully and asking him to turn down the noise is an Action Step. It gives you more grit to face your fears because you actually do something.

More examples of Action Steps:
1. Take a 30-minute walk every day.
2. Meet this week with Chris and resolve our disagreement about the money he owes me.
3. Learn how to get Accounts Receivable reports from our billing system.

Examples that are not Action Steps:
1. Whenever I feel afraid, try to conquer it.
2. Be more positive.
3. Help others whenever possible.

As you saw in the video, grit has seven characteristics. Let’s work out one or more Action Steps for each of these characteristics.

1. Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Grit is sticking with your goals, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for the years to come.

To help you start improving this first quality, write your answers to these three questions in the box below.

1. What is one of your goals?

2. Using your imagination, write down what it will be like when you reach this goal.

3. Write down at least one Action Step that you will do today or this week that will take you one small step closer to this goal.

2. Grit includes physical ability. You can pick up heavy boxes, trim bushes and clean up garbage.

How can you have more physical ability? 

Write down at least one Action Step you will do this week. You can also select one of these three Action Steps.

1. Make a list of physical changes you need to make at work or home. Pick the easiest and get it done ASAP.

2. Exercise for at least five minutes today and every day this week.

3. Write down something you can do this week that will make you dirty or sweaty.

3. Grit is living life like a marathon, not a sprint. You skip short-term pleasures to enjoy long-term success.

How can you act more on your long-term success instead of short-term pleasures?

Write down at least one Action Step you will do this week to work on your long-term success. You can also select one of these three Action Steps to do.

1. Make a list of skills that if you mastered, would increase your income. Which one is easiest? What can you do this week to start mastering that skill?

2. Make a list of all the tasks you need to do. Which one will give you the longest-term benefit? What can you do this week to work on that task?

3. Make a list of your bad habits. Which one can you break right now? How will you do this?

4. Grit means you face the hard, cold facts when necessary. You do not live in a cloud of theory and wishes.

Are you able to look at things as they are, not as you wish they could be? Could you get better at facing the facts? 

Write down at least one Action Step you will do this week to improve your ability to face the facts. You can also select one of these three Action Steps to do.

1. Write down the name or initials of someone you wish would change or improve. Plan to look at him or her this week newly, not as you wish them to be, but as who they are.

2. Write down something that is not going right for you. Make a plan to not just hope it will improve on its own, but how you will look for the real reasons why it is not going well.

3. Write down an opinion you have that is not shared by others. Consider the possibility that you are wrong. What action can you do to examine the facts until you find out the truth about your opinion, right or wrong?

5. Grit is courage. You face and handle disagreements, difficult people and threats. You protect everyone around you.

Everyone can be more courageous. How can you have more courage?

Write down at least one Action Step you will do this week to improve your courage. You can also select one of these three Action Steps to do.

1. Write down one of your fears. Find a way to face it this week.

2. Write down a disagreement you need to resolve. Work out a plan to clear it up.

3. Is a difficult person interfering with your job or life? Write down a few steps you can take to handle them.

4. Are you bothered by a threat? If so, write down a step or two that you can take to lessen the threat this week

5. Is there anyone you need to protect? If so, write down what you should do to protect them.

6. Grit includes understanding. You find out what others need and want. You help them on a daily basis.

Do the following three steps.

1. Write down the names or initials of 1-3 people you want a better relationship with.

2. Next to each name or initial, write what you will do to improve your understanding of them. For example, ask questions, resolve a disagreement or spend more time together.

3. Write what you will do to help each person on a regular basis.

7. Grit means you make things go right. You do whatever it takes to improve, expand and succeed. No matter how large the obstacles, you never give up.

What is one really difficult thing you will do this week, despite the obstacles and excuses?

Summary

You now have at least seven things you need to go and do. By acting to improve these seven characteristic, you will have more grit and move closer to being an A-Performer. Many people never try to improve themselves, but you can and will, right?

You will also see the value of taking Action Steps. You will have real-world experience and will know what to do to write more valuable Action Steps for yourself. You can constantly improve.

By DOING these seven steps this week you will make a small improvement in how you operate in life. It will also make a small improvement in what you get back from life. Small improvements lead to bigger improvements, right?

As you go through this online course, all these small improvements will add up.

Do it!