Play a Bigger Game E-Book

Rowdy McLean

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 196

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

Have you ever had the desire to achieve something remarkable? Would you like to be better or do something absolutely awesome? Have you ever thought about having much more than you have right now? Are you ready to play a bigger game? Play a Bigger Game will help you smash your goals. Whether you're an individual or part of a large organisation, this practical guide to getting what you want will enable you to achieve real results, no matter what! One of Australia's leading speakers, Rowdy McLean is well known for his simple, hard-hitting, no-excuses approach to motivation. He believes that success is not just about setting goals but actually kicking them. In this definitive guide you'll find: * useful processes to help you define what you want * practical tools and resources to turn your dreams into reality * inspirational stories of people achieving real success * unique chapter-specific videos accessible by QR codes. Play a Bigger Game has everything you need to gain more from life.

Leseprobe

HOW TO ACHIEVE MORE BE MORE DO MORE HAVE MORE

Rowdy McLean

First published in 2012 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064

Reprinted with corrections 2016

Office also in Melbourne

Typeset in 11pt/13.5pt

© Rowdy McLean 2012

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

Author:

McLean, Rowdy.

Title:

Play a bigger game: how to achieve more, be more, do more, have more / Rowdy McLean.

ISBN:

9780730344810 (pbk.)

Subjects:

Self-realisation.

Conduct of life.

Dewey Number:

158.1

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.

Author photograph by Shae Style Photography

Printed in Australia by Ligare Book Printer

Disclaimer

The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

This book is dedicated to my mum, Chrissy, for encouraging me to play a bigger game in my life, for her belief that I could do it and for the reality checks when I got too big for my boots. This is also for all the mums who give so much of themselves so their children can achieve more, be more, do more and have more.

Foreword

This book is the real deal: let me tell you why.

Okay, you bought the book. Big deal. I stopped long ago being impressed with people who buy books. Buying a book won't make you better. It might make you temporarily feel better but your life won't change much. I have written five bestsellers and sold hundreds of thousands of books and I can assure you that not one person who ever bought one of my books is any better off simply for buying it.

But you didn't just buy the book. You actually took the next step. You opened up your book and are now reading the foreword. Good for you. You are further along than many but you are still just pretty average. I say that because the average person who buys a book gets this far. So I'm still not impressed. The average person will read the front and back cover, the foreword and even get through the first couple of chapters, and then their interest tapers off. They get busy doing other things. Then they lay the book aside with the intention of getting back to it … someday. Bottom line: they give up and quit. It's not the book's fault; it's their own fault. That's because the average person just can't stick with anything long enough to enjoy the results.

Average people get average results because they do average things. And on average, most people will start a project — a diet, a plan, or even a book — and after taking a few steps in the right direction will then slide off the path.

They never achieve what they set out to achieve. They never reach their dreams. They never get rich. They never have amazing relationships. They never do incredible things.

I can't stand those people.

Too many people have settled for less than their best and it makes me sick. If you give something your very best effort and then end up with average results, then I will cut you some slack. But I don't believe that's how it works. I don't buy that average results come from anyone's best effort. Yet that is what people accept and settle for. So here's a word of advice for you: don't.

Do not settle. Don't accept less than your own personal best. Don't be average. Instead, right now, make an above average decision: decide to make it all the way to the end of this great little book. Decide to stop talking about success and actually become successful. Decide to play a bigger game!

That's what you are ready to do, right? You are ready to play a bigger game so your life will look better going forward than it has been when you look backward. At least you said that was what you wanted when you bought this book.

I can assure you that you have come to right place. This book can give you what it takes to reach the top. It can move you from average to outstanding. And it's written in such a way that you won't have any excuses left when you reach the end.

This is not your typical ‘I'm going to teach you how to be successful' crap by a guy who isn't successful. Rowdy is the real deal. And, best of all, Rowdy actually plays a bigger game! He lives it. It shows in everything he does. It's the very essence of who he really is. I admire that: a guy who walks his talk. And trust me, there aren't many people I can say that about. Rowdy is the real deal.

So if you are tired of average, tired of having less, being less, doing less and achieving less, it's time to get ROWDY! Rowdy can put energy back in your life. He can give you the insights and the plan to put mediocrity behind you and play a bigger game!

Larry Winget

Five-time bestselling author and television personality

Author of The Wall Street Journal #1 bestseller, Shut Up,Stop Whining and Get a Life

CONTENTS

About the author

QR codes

Setting up for success

Introduction

Chapter 1 Break out of the cotton wool society

My game plan (don't skip this — it's important)

Chapter 2 Play a bigger game!

Chapter 3 You are awesome!

Chapter 4 Change is a good thing

Three laws of reality

Clear out the clutter

In a heartbeat

Chapter 5 Play to your potential

Chapter 6 You

can

do it

Example 1:

am I good enough to apply for that promotion?

Example 2:

can I save $5000 in the next three months?

Strategies for dealing with the results of the can/can't matrix

Example 1:

am I good enough to apply for that promotion?

Example 2:

can I save $5000 in the next three months?

Chapter 7 Stretch the boundaries

Comfort zone

Learning/ability zone

Fear zone

Impossible zone

Making the impossible possible

Chapter 8 Five great lies — don’t be misled

Lie 1: not enough time

Lie 2: too old or too young

Lie 3: too busy

Lie 4: not enough money

Lie 5: not enough knowledge or information

Chapter 9 Beware the dream stealers

Fear

Labels

Excuses

False achievements

Chapter 10 Make it happen

Where will you be in five years?

Do goals really matter?

Chapter 11 Get your priorities right

The false ranking process

Chapter 12 Make it real – paint the picture

Chapter 13 Real reasons for success

Chapter 14 No action, no results

Element 1: the time frame

Element 2: support

Element 3: be aware of the obstacles

Chapter 15 Work smarter, not harder

Peer group

Search for the heroes

Three paths to unhappiness

Path 1: expectations

Path 2: comparisons

Path 3: judgements

If you are going to fail, fail fast

Chapter 16 Invest in yourself

Chapter 17 Be proud

Testimonials

Advert

EULA

List of Illustrations

Chapter 5

Figure 5.1

: potential versus time

Chapter 6

Figure 6.1

: the can/can't matrix

Figure 6.2

: the risk versus reward matrix

Chapter 7

Figure 7.1

: the zones of experience

Chapter 10

Figure 10.1

: the play a bigger game matrix

Figure 10.2

: the play a bigger game matrix goals section — your 90-day goals

Chapter 12

Figure 12.1

: your vision of your priority goal

Chapter 14

Figure 14.1

: three critical action steps

Guide

Cover

Table of Contents

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About the author

Playing a Bigger Game has been Rowdy McLean's life story. A successful, yet down to earth, entrepreneur and business leader, Rowdy retired at 34, became bored and got back in the game, creating new companies (that he still owns and runs today) and turning others around.

He now helps organisations, teams and individuals play a bigger game, in business, leadership and life.

As an international keynote speaker Rowdy presents at conferences and events across the globe as well as running corporate immersions, single or multi day master classes, executive mentoring programs and facilitating offsite meetings and retreats.

Rowdy has spoken to over 250 000 people in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. His book Play a Bigger Game has been published in 7 countries.

An adventurer at heart, Rowdy has climbed Mt Kilimajaro, kayaked in Antarctica and tracked gorillas in Rwanda. He has played professional rugby league, run marathons, spent time on the Serengeti with the Masaii warriors and regularly takes leaders up into the heart of Arnhem Land.

Rowdy has a Masters Degree in Business Administration and is a graduate of the Disney Institute. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, the Customer Service Institute of Australia, and recipient of the Certified Speaking Professional designation (the highest honour awarded to speakers across the globe).

QR codes

As a bonus, an exclusive video has been developed for each chapter of the book.

To help you get the most out of Play a Bigger Game we have provided a QR code at the end of every chapter. These codes are linked to exclusive videos and other resources. If you want to know more about QR codes, simply scan the code below with your phone or visit our website:

www.playabiggergame.com.au/play-a-bigger-game/qrcodes.

If you don't have a QR code compatible mobile phone, you can still access all the extra features by visiting the URL — for example, for chapter 1, www.playabiggergame.com.au/chapter1.

The QR code, or Quick Response Code, is a mobile phone readable barcode. Some mobile phones come equipped with QR code; others require you to download a QR reader app. The easiest way to test if your phone has a pre-installed QR code is to point your phone's camera at the QR code. If the device has decoding software installed, it will fire up its browser and go straight to that URL. If not, simply download any QR reader onto your phone then pass the phone's camera over the barcode.

Setting up for success

You have probably picked up this book believing that it contains information that will help you get more out of life. Let me assure you that it will do exactly that, but there is something you can do that will greatly boost your chances of getting what you want from this book, and from life. You need to prepare yourself for what's inside.

Playing a bigger game is all about seizing the opportunity to achieve more, be more, do more and have more than you ever thought was possible. Let's take just a few minutes to explore what that means. It won't take long and will increase your chances of success tenfold. So grab a pen and a pad and get set to make some quick notes. It has been shown that 60 per cent of people who purchase a personal development book never finish it. Even fewer do anything with the information. I want this book to be different. That's why it's short and to the point, and broken down into simple steps that anyone can follow. The reason most people fail to follow through is that they fail to prepare properly. A few minutes' preparation will make a world of difference to your results, and results are what matters.

To prepare for the journey this book will take you on, you need to understand your goals: specifically in what ways do you want to achieve more, be more and do more, and what exactly do you want to have more of? If you are not sure of the answers to these questions, how can you possibly create a plan to go out and get it. So let's look at them in more detail.

Achieve more

Achieving more is about success. It's about what you would like to be a winner at. Success means different things to different people. To someone with no money it could be getting a job; to someone with a million dollars it could be turning that into 10 million. It could be winning a trophy or becoming a champion, employee of the month or head of your department. It could be winning the race or just running the race. You know what success means to you at this stage of your life. Take a minute to jot down some notes about what achieving more, or success, means to you.

Be more

We play many different roles in life. Being more is about how we show up in these roles. Consider for a second all the roles you play. You may be a parent, partner, friend, colleague, employee, employer, boss, neighbour, community member, to name just a few. Write down the roles that are important to you and why you would like to be more in that role. Perhaps you don't spend as much time with your kids as you should or maybe you are disconnected from your friends. Describe what needs to change.

Do more

All of us have at some time made a new year's resolution or a bucket list of all the things we would like to do. Doing more is about the experiences you want to have and the things you want to do. Make a list of the things you would really like to do in the next 12 months. It could be to go to Paris, learn Spanish, run the New York marathon or give up smoking. You get the idea. Quickly write down your bucket list for the next 12 months.

Have more

Having more is about ownership, or what belongs to us. So it could relate to how much money you want to have in the bank, the type of car or house you own, the clothes or jewellery you wear, your boat or even your pets. What are the things you would like to have in your life in the next 12 months. Ownership is not just about material things, though. We also ‘own' our reputation, for instance; indeed, for some people their reputation is more important than any material possession. What sort of reputation would you like to have? What would you like to be remembered for?

So that's it. If you have completed that quick exercise you are ready to play a bigger game and have massively increased your chances of success. In fact, if you really did complete the exercise give yourself a pat on the back, as you are already playing a bigger game, because I can assure you that most people didn't do it. If you didn't do it, go back and do it now. It will be worth it!

Introduction

We all want more! More money, more fun, more love, more time, more friends, more adventure, more holidays. This book is for those people who want more, and want it now!

If you have reached a state of supreme happiness. If you have all the material possessions you could possibly muster. If you are absolutely the best person you can possibly be. If you are in the peak of health. And if every single one of your relationships is full of all the respect, trust and love you could hope for, then close this book and put it back on the shelf or pass it on to someone else.

If, on the other hand, you are in search of more freedom and fulfilment, if you want to raise the bar, push the boundaries and reach a higher level, then keep reading.

This book is about giving you the simple tools and strategies to achieve more, be more, do more and have more. If you use these tools and strategies you will be able to play a bigger game — a much bigger game. I can promise you that if you follow the strategies in this book, if you actually act on them, rather than just reading about them, you will get more out of life than you ever imagined.

Playing a bigger game is

                choosing to stretch yourself.

Life is a wonderful adventure. Note that I use the word adventure — I don't say life is easy. To get more out of life, you are going to have to stretch a little, or maybe a lot. You're going to have to go through some pain, give up some of your current comforts and put in some effort.

I can guarantee that, if you really want it and are prepared to put in the effort, absolutely 110 per cent, it will be worth it. The wonder of life is in the adventure. The journey is marked with events and milestones that teach you to be better, to be stronger and to be more courageous. It is in the journey that we learn to achieve more, be more, do more and have more — and, trust me, you can and you will!

It is in the journey that we learn to achieve    more, be more, do more and have   more — and, trust me, you can and you will!

But let's take a reality check right here, right now. If you don't really want more out of life, if you have everything you want or need; if you have made your mark in life and are happy with how your contribution will measure up in history; if you have made all the big plays, participated in the biggest games and are satisfied with the outcomes, then give this book to a friend or colleague or someone that needs it more than you. If, on the other hand, you still have a desire to do things, go places, make a difference and realise your maximum potential; if you are prepared to push the envelope, squeeze every last drop out of the game of life; if you truly want to play a much, much bigger game, then read on.

And you have permission to be confused at times. In fact, confusion is the highest state of learning. If at any stage in the book you find yourself thinking, ‘I just don't get it!', that's good because something in your mind is vibrating around the problem, ‘How do I get it? How do I sort this out for myself?' It means you will actually be learning as you read. So feel free to be confused sometimes. I guarantee all the pieces of the puzzle will come together long before the end of the book.

Who wants to be average? Definitely not you or you would not have picked up this book in the first place. I have written Play a Bigger Game knowing you will not want to settle for less than what is truly possible in your life. After lots of mistakes and some not so good experiences in my life, I now know the rules to playing a bigger game, and this book has given me an opportunity to share them with you.

The path to an awesome life is playing a bigger game.

Playing a bigger game means continually looking for the very best version of you in everything you do. It's looking for opportunities, developing your potential and growing in awesome ways you never imagined possible. It's taking every aspect of your existence and refining, reviewing and reinventing it. It's not sitting on the sidelines wishing you were in the game. It's getting on the team and being the most valuable player and creating an end game that will make you proud of the score line.

So come with me as I show you how to play a bigger game in your life and how to achieve more, be more, do more and have more.

Rowdy McLeanMay 2012

Chapter 1Break out of the cotton wool society