Secure a Stronger Foundation

Building a strong foundation means creating a strong basis for security. It is a tool that will help you to create a cushion for error against unexpected occurrences because a mountain isn’t going to be destroyed by a windstorm. It will also allow you to develop further than if you hadn’t secured a strong foundation in the beginning because you can’t build a skyscraper on a 3 inch slab of concrete. No, a skyscraper is built by first digging deep into the earth and the deeper and wider the foundation of the skyscraper, the taller and wider the skyscraper can be when it is finished. Always remember that success built on a strong foundation is the only success that lasts.

So how do you build a strong foundation? Here are some techniques:

Master the Basics First

Whenever you are attempting to master a new skill, seek to master the basics before mastering the more complex and advanced techniques. When you attempt to use the fancy techniques that the pro’s use in any given skill when you are first starting out, your foundation is weak and you will inevitably fall on your face. Practice the basics and work your way up to the level of the pro’s in order to make your foundation strong.

Use, Create and Do Positive Things That Last

The more positive things that you can use, create and do that last a long time, and have a high lifetime value for you, the more you will begin to create a compounding benefit for yourself, and create exponential growth in your life. If something that you use, create or do only has a short term benefit for you, then it won’t be there to help you in the long term. When you use, create, or do something that will help you for a long time, it will be there for you in the future to keep you supported and on your feet. This also applies to the intangible principles and techniques that you learn and use. In general, seek to use principles and techniques that are tried and true and that you may personally know to be effective. Study the people you want to become like and find out the principles and techniques that they use. Of course, always be open to try something new and experiment. An example of doing a positive thing that lasts, is to get corrective eye surgery if you have bad eyesight. This is something I have done and which I know can be expensive, but you have to factor into you decision all of the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses every day if you will wear them for the rest of your life. If you don’t care about the energy and money wasted using glasses and contact lenses (not to mention that you can lose them) then at least consider the loss of your valuable time in doing so.

Secure One Thing at a Time

If you try to secure too many things at once, then just like juggling too many bowling pins, you will probably end up dropping them all and getting nowhere. The best way, and the most secure way for your long term benefit, is to attempt to secure one thing at a time and focus all your energy on that one task to completion. Multi-tasking can be very inefficient, both mentally and physically, and the best thing you can do is to focus on one thing at a time, and drive each task to completion. If you don’t agree with this view on multi-tasking, read the article here that describes how the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s college London found that that multitasking may be worse for your ability to concentrate than smoking marijuana.

Simplify

Your foundation doesn’t have to be a huge complex mess. It should be simple, like the ancient pyramids, and built on solid benefits that you have secured in your life. An example of this, is mastering a valuable and rare skill that others will pay you for, or obtaining an asset that will give value to you on a regular basis. The more complex your foundation, the more likely you are to lose understanding and control of how all of the parts work together, and like an apartment complex built out of cards, the whole thing will eventually come crashing down.

Create Safety Nets

Create security and a cushion for error, by creating safety nets to catch you if you fall. You probably have heard the sage advice; “expect the good but prepare for the bad” and “better safe than sorry.” Heed this wise advice and secure what you already have. An example of creating a safety net is to get health insurance to protect you financially from disease or physical injury, and to get home insurance to protect you financially from a fire or a space ship falling into your house. Learn how to defend yourself physically, and carry a self defense device, such as pepper spray, to protect you or your loved ones at all times. Secure your home by keeping your doors and windows locked at all times or install a home security system and install and regularly test fire alarms in at least every floor of your home. Finally, keep a reasonable storage of food, water and blankets in your home in case of natural disaster or other emergency. Prevention is always the first thing you should focus on, but after you have prevention taken care of, put the safety nets in place.

Use Tools Rather than Machines

If a piece of a machine breaks, the whole machine can be rendered ineffective, but if you are using tools, if one tool doesn’t work, then you just find another tool and use it. In general, tools can be much more efficient and effective to use in order to solve your problems or achieve your goals. I have designed these principles that I am teaching you now with this concept in mind. Each technique is primarily designed to be used as a tool, because circumstances change and having tools, as opposed to set formulas (intangible machines) and knowing how to use them, will help you to build a strong mental foundation.

Here are some techniques that I use or have used effectively to build a strong foundation for my health, my finances and my dating and social life:

Example #1 - Build a Strong Foundation for Your Health

Build a strong foundation for your health by eating as high a percentage of raw and organic foods as possible, and drinking as much purified water as possible. Eat what sounds good to you and eat when you are hungry and drink when you are thirsty. Brush your teeth every morning and brush your teeth and floss every night to help protect your gums from gingivitis. Every morning, drink green tea with vitamin C, eat a healthy breakfast, such as low fat vanilla flavored yogurt with berries and exercise for at least 10 minutes of aerobic and strength exercises. I regularly use these techniques and I haven’t been sick in almost 3 years.

Example #2 - Build a Strong Foundation for Your Finances

Build a strong foundation for your finances by reducing your expenses (buy in bulk, reduce consumption, live modestly, ride a bicycle or electric vehicle when possible, use the library or internet primarily for your information consumption etc.) increase your income (become more valuable, master a rare and valuable skill, give them what they need using your unique abilities etc.) and finally invest in or create assets that either put money in your pocket on a regular basis, or appreciate in value (rare metals, stocks, antiques, real estate etc.).

Example #3 - Build a Strong Foundation for Your Dating and Social Life

Build a strong foundation for your dating and social life by going out and meeting new people on a regular basis. Just show up to social events (like dances) where you know you will be forced to interact with people. I personally prefer ballroom dances and ballroom dance lessons, where partners rotate and you get introduced to a new partner every couple of minutes. This is a great way to practice your social skills, create a connection and build a relationship. At a social event, you can even just walk up to friendly looking people and ask them “How’s it going?” to jumpstart a great conversation. Of course, don’t do anything that doesn’t feel right to you and help you to feel excellent. Just let go, loosen up and have fun. As Tony Robbins says, “Repetition is the mother of skill.”

Now go out and build a strong foundation for your guaranteed success!