The Million Pound Question... or is it?

The Million Pound Question by Sunil Bali, 19-08-12.
Most people have dreams and make plans. It's an easy thing to do. But few people execute their plans because they lack the self-discipline to do so. If you're procrastinating or unable to get an important task done, ask yourself the million pound question:

If you were given a million pounds to complete the task within 24 hours, could you do it?

If your answer is yes, it means that it's possible for you to complete the task. If you subsequently don't complete the task, then any reason you give for not completing the task is simply an excuse for not being disciplined, and you can't be serious about what you want to achieve.

As Larry Page the co-founder of Google says, "Inspiration isn't enough. Success is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration."

PS. When it comes to my kids getting great exam grades at the end of the year, I've found the iPhone question very successful.

"Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task" - William James of Harvard.

"Procrastination is opportunity's assassin" - Victor Kiam.

"I wasn't the funniest guy growing up, but I was the guy who worked the hardest on being funny" - Chris Rock (comedian)

About the Author:
Sunil is an expert in human behaviour, and how you can increase both your happiness and income by consistently living your DNA and expressing your authentic self.


You know, when I first read this article I thought it was a great thought provoking piece, and likely to encourage a quick and honest reality check. I realise Sunil was talking about a single task which may indeed be a stumbling block to be overcome with a little extra gusto, but the more I thought about it, the more I began to question the point.

Valid though it undoubtedly is, would you really go all out for your dream if someone magically offered you the financial resources to overcome a task which was holding you back? I doubt it.

For starters, most of us fear our success more than failure, but using someone else's money to achieve your goal would undoubtedly devalue its achievement. We may have the result, but we're not benefiting from the journey and lessons learned to get there. What's more, how many of us would simply spend the money?! Come on, be honest! I remember a story where a start-up successfully made their case to a bank for start-up funds, and promptly spent £30k on office furniture!

So, although the point is sound, and should help us identify valid reasons for what's holding us back, the dream or goal is all the more sweeter if we have won our own battles and grown as individuals along the way - and that doesn't happen overnight. See Larry Page and Chris Rock above - their successes took considerable time and effort in their own words, and yours likely will too.

There are many unscrupulous people out there with their eyes firmly fixed on your wallet telling you otherwise. Take stock by all means. Write out 100 reasons why you will succeed, keep your word around your commitment and watch what happens.