AlexShalman.comPractical Personal Development

As you guys know, I’ve recently started NYU Dental School. I’m surrounded by a lot of brilliant students and faculty, and as I’m meeting everyone I’m keeping my ears open for life lessons.

Last week my classmate and future dental-superstar Damoon Yashar told me about his life philosophy. Go hard, or go home. He meant this in the context of focus and effort, and said that if he’s going to study, he’s going to give it 100%, if he’s going to go to a social event, he’s going to be 100% present there.

This philosophy really resonates with me. I’m a fan of books like the Power of Now, and Landmark Education has a strong focus on being present as well. It’s just a more interesting and constructive way to look at life, when all your energy, power, and attention is on what you’re doing.

Let’s look at ways that you can ‘Go Hard or Go Home’ in any area of your life.

10 Ways to Go Hard or Go Home

1. Go home. If you’re not going hard, maybe it’s because you don’t really love what you’re doing. If that’s the case, don’t waste your time and your precious life energy on doing something that bores you to tears– quit.

2. Isolate. Sometimes we want to go hard, but distractions keep popping up. In that case, isolate yourself. In my apartment I have no TV, and I generally keep e-mail and twitter off while I study, so that the only thing in my attention is my classwork.

3. Do Less. If your mind is constantly wandering to other things, maybe it’s because you’ve committed yourself to too many things. Do less, and spend more quality time doing those things with excellence.

4. Breathe. I have been actively doing breathing exercises to get my mind focused. I simply inhale all the way in 4 seconds, and then slowly exhale over 8 seconds. I repeat this for a couple of minutes, get Oxygen to my brain, and Go Hard!

5. Worst, First. You know that task on your to-do list that you’ve been thinking about, incessantly, but not doing? Finally sit down, and trudge through it, and then let your mind focus on more pleasant things.

6. Plan, Organize. Sit down in the evening, and take time to plan out your next day, and the order of events. I do this daily. This way you can get your priorities done, instead of wasting time wondering what’s next.

7. Go Hard, and Stop. When you’re loading up your to-do list for a certain day, you have to give yourself a realistically achievable amount. As a reward for working hard and diligently, don’t add anything else to that list– stop.

8. Muscle Fuel. You can only go as hard as your mind and body will allow. I’m giving you some tricks to psych your mind up, but you also need to remember to exercise — this is going to make all the difference in your energy levels.

9. Challenge Yourself. Look at your projects, and your life in general as fun challenges. Make it your goal to improve, every single day, in everything that you do. You’ll soon develop the constant-and-never-ending improvement habit.

10. Get accountable. Have some people in your life that keep you accountable. Literally ask them to call you daily, and ask you about specific items that you said you would do. They’ll remind you, and hopefully get you off your butt to get it done. Nothing wrong with some external motivation from time to time.

I would love to know some of the things you do to psych yourself up and get into the zone. How do you go hard, and when do you go home?