why i demand the fundamentals from my clients
Personal development is much like constructing a sturdy and well build house. Without a solid foundation, even the most ambitious homes (read: goals) remain unstable and exposed to imploding. Many of us rush toward advanced techniques, the “flashy” quick turning behaviors, and quick fixes while overlooking the basic building blocks that create lasting and seamless impact.
I get it. The fundamentals might seem tedious, but they're the elements that aid in mastery and successful completion of goals.
A few things happen when we skip fundamentals in favor of shortcuts. We often find ourselves stuck in a cycle of temporary progress (which feels good, I know) followed by frustrating setbacks. It aids in confusion on how exactly to progress forward, often followed by decision paralysis. We stop communicating with ourselves, and lost the plot.
The power of fundamentals lies in their compounding effect. Each basic skill built into your foundation becomes a steppingstone for the next level of growth. It gives you clear purpose, vision, and a WHY behind what you are doing.
Here are three examples of small but powerful actions you can take today to strengthen your fundamental foundation:
1. Create a Morning Alignment Practice: Spend five minutes sitting quietly and setting clear intentions for the task at hand. This helps you move through life with purpose rather than living in a reactionary state. Start with simply five minutes – consistency and dedication to the habit matters more than duration.
2. Practice Mindful and Peaceful Transitions: There is POWER IN THE PAUSE. Pause and take 3 big breaths as you move between different activities throughout your day. This basic awareness practice helps prevent the unconscious rushing that often leads to stress and flustered decision-making.
3. Reflect, Reflect, Reflect: Take three minutes to write down three things you did well and one thing you could improve tomorrow. This fundamental practice develops self-awareness and continuous improvement mindset, while also training your brain to recognize progress rather than fixating on the negative. Take this feedback as NEUTRAL and information that you can leverage for the future.
Life isn't about finding the perfect hack or shortcut. It's about showing up consistently and honoring the fundamentals that form the rock solid foundation of lasting change. We have to build from the ground up. Mastering fundamentals gives you the opportunity to make excellence look effortless.
