When I was young, my grandmother would always say to me, “Grandson, you are rotten to the core!”

Then she’d laugh.

It was a term of endearment that meant I was spoiled.

I think of her often and all that she taught me.

The other day I was reminiscing about one of those times.

I was thinking about the phrase “rotten to the core” and the tremendous lesson there is in those four words.

My grandmother may not have been intentionally teaching a life lesson all those years ago.

But friends, she hit the nail on the head.

Everything in life begins at the CORE.

From physical fitness to mental health.

From relationships to results.

Everything comes down to the very CORE of who we are…

And aspire to become.

I believe there is a formula.

Core Values + Core Disciplines + Actions = Outcomes

Let’s look at core VALUES first.

These can be different for everyone.

When I think of core values for me, this is what I focus on.

1. Countability

2. Ownership

3. Resolve

4. Excellence

I want to be COUNTABLE to the people around me. I want them to know they can count on me in good times and bad. Being countable to those around us is a superpower. It creates an environment of loyalty and trust at work and in life.

I believe OWNERSHIP is the cornerstone of high performance. To own our attitude, our actions, and results. To take 100% responsibility for what I do…or don’t do is the essence of ownership.

RESOLVE to me is the equivalent of grit and resilience. It’s what I learned on the streets about survival and having an unwavering commitment to doing better and being better.

EXCELLENCE is that one recognizable quality in all great performers. There is unrest when it comes to their work. Always searching for a slight edge. Looking for an advantage, an opportunity to be better than their last performance. They care about their reputation and will do whatever it takes to deliver excellence every single time.

Now let’s look at CORE Disciplines

In my life, I look at four areas.

1. Connections

2. Optimism

3. Restoration

4. Education

CONNECTIONS are the lifeblood of a healthy life and business. We become like those around us. We rise or fall to the level of those we associate with. The great ones are hyper-focused on their inner circle, and they protect their core connections at all costs.

At the very core of achievement is the discipline of OPTIMISM. The ability to see life not as it is but as it can be. To understand that things are not always as they seem. That we have a choice in how we choose to see the road before us. We can choose our attitude about roadblocks and obstacles. We can flex the muscle of optimism to see a path forward where others cannot even see a path at all.

Recovery is vital to world-class performance. Great athletes and achievers know that the RESTORATION of mind, body, and spirit is essential to growth in our physical and mental strength. Taking time to recharge, refuel and recover is a powerful tool that so many miss in our crazy, busy lives.

They say that knowledge is power. Of course, most of us know that the truth is, applied knowledge is power. The ability to act on what we know is the key to making things happen. But the pursuit of EDUCATION both formal and non-formal is a hallmark of superhuman achievers in life. “Leaders are readers and readers are leaders” a mentor once told me. And it’s true. Greatness always makes time to learn. Not occasionally but every day.

When my life is out of alignment and my personal “check engine light” comes on, I can tell you with absolute certainty that my core values, core disciplines, and actions are out of sync.

When I am not getting the results, I desire personally or professionally, I go to work on my CORE.

I begin by asking CORE VALUE questions.

1. Am I COUNTABLE to myself and others?

2. Do I take OWNERSHIP of my results?

3. Do I have the RESOLVE to finish what I committed to?

4. Am I executing with EXCELLENCE in every area of my life?

Next, I look at CORE Discipline questions.

1. Am I CONNECTED to the right people and adding value to them?

2. Am I living and working with OPTIMISM every day?

3. Am I doing the work to RESTORE my mind, body, and spirit?

4. Am I pursuing EDUCATION that will help me grow and have more to share with others?

One of my favorite quotes is from the movie Batman Begins.

“It’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.”

And so, it is with life.

Intentions are only as good as the actions that support them.

I believe you are amazing to the CORE!

Success is what you value, what you focus on, and what you ultimately do to serve others.

I want to encourage you this week to stay in alignment.

Stay disciplined.

Stay focused.

Be mindful.

And be the best possible you.

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