+1: #795 Agency, Agency, Agency

In our last little flurry of +1s, we had some fun with Mel Robbins's 5 Second Rule. Have you tried it out yet? 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… - GO!!! That might be THE most elegantly efficient Tool we've discussed to help close the gap between who we're CAPABLE of being and who we're ACTUALLY being. (Operationalizing Areté for the win!) Now, one of the key themes of Mel's book and reasons why that tool is so powerful is the fact that, in addition to getting us to take action RIGHT NOW on what matters most, her 5 Second Rule also builds something that scientists call "agency." (Mel actually doesn't use the word "agency" to describe it; she focuses on a parallel idea called "locus of control." We'll save that idea for another time.) Agency. It's a beautiful word. One of my favorites in fact. Science says it's one of the secret sauces to Optimizing. So, when I fortuitously stumbled upon a book called The Power of Agency on Amazon, I immediately got it and read it. It's written by Paul Napper and Anthony Rao—two leading consultants and clinicians who have both held academic positions at Harvard Medical School. In their great book, they define agency as "the ability to act as an effective agent for yourself—reflecting, making creative choices, and constructing a meaningful life." In the book, they provide practical, scientifically-grounded wisdom on, as per the sub-title: "The 7 Principles to Conquer Obstacles, Make Effective Decisions, and Create a Life on Your Own Terms." We'll explore a few of the most powerful, practical Ideas on how to BUILD our agency over the next several days. Today I just want to make the connection between DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE and cultivating a strong sense of personal power (aka agency). Well… That and I also want to have a little fun. Imagine that you're a Secret Agent. (DoubleO-You perhaps. Short for OptimizingOptimusYOU, of course!) You work for your Daimon. What mission is he/she asking you to carry out? Have you chosen to accept it? What's your next step? Get on that! This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… - GO!