Dan Clark : The Art of Significance

I liked the concept. Good stuff. Is it significant? (Like Shu Hattori's work, or Scott Adams' "How to Fail at Everything and.." or "Fall in Love with the Problem..:" by Uri Levine?) No 😊 Because he doesn't give you enough practical advice you can readily apply in your daily life - or not enough. There is a bit - like don't honk or be mad at someone doing a bad-traffic thing. Good concepts. Just not sticky enough because the hard work of identifying where you can do something differently in the life you know hasn't been done - something very few people do by the way. So, all told. great book.

Allen Iverson and Antoine Walker (NBAers) went broke despite earning more than $100m during their playing years, went broke. AW's story is here : he wanted to have it all - like the hip-hoppers Jay-Z and Puff Daddy - so didn't rein in his spending. These guys will get an NBA pension of about $100k a year once they hit 45 or so. In Iverson's case, one of his sponsors set up a trust fund in anticipation of a bust, so that fund now being so rich, is able to release $1m a year to him.

DON'T PURSUE SUCCESS, PURSUE SIGNIFICANCE - FOCUS ON LEGACY - How you're helping out, making a difference and what you can build that will continue to serve after you're gone.

Kareem Abdul Jabbar says his most significant asset is his mind. 

1. Make a comprehensive list of everything you're thankful for. Visualize what you're charged with mastering. From him to whom much is given, much is demanded. Document the long range impact of your proposed endeavors and honestly and completely answer why you should do them.
2. If you believe that it can be done (the power of self-suggestion) and minimize risk through preparation, it surely will be done. Create an itemized plan with a timeline of preparation checkpoints. Regard setbacks as teaching moments. Life is made of lessons, not mistakes.
3. Work around obstacles. Eat the elephant one bite at a time. Many give up when they are close to success.
4. Make a list of at least three people who accomplished exactly what you are attempting to do. Research details of their initial plans (yeah, like you can grab them out of thin air😊) and setbacks they encountered and how they proceeded. Start visualizing the celebration you're going to have when you do what they did. 

For learning to stretch

1. Come to grips with reality - you're here! Changing the scene doesn't change anything. You're still you.
2. Create your own personal Board of Directors made up of at least six people of all ages and professions, men and women, representing at least three religions. Approach them with the humble request to become your physical therapist of the mind.
3. With each of your mentors, make a list of only one thought and action in each of the nine areas that you can and will work on immediately - physical fitness, continuous education, deeper spirituality, emotional stability, social networking, financial responsibility, family togetherness, leisure fun and charitable giving. Document where you are and set a passionate goal to improve.
4. Each time you stretch and improve in one of these areas, commit to sustaining this new level.

To experience harmony

Think of a successful person whom you know or know about. Did you think of yourself? Why not? List 10 qualities or attributes of this person that you think makes them successful. Now, think of a person who you consider significant. What qualities does this person have? Are there any that overlap?

Choose or one of the qualities that appear on both lists in step 1 and commit to incorporating it into your life.

Analyze the two selected and admired individuals in step 1 and figure out what matters most to them and then think about what matters most to you. Remember, love of money, not money is the root of evil.

Small everyday reminders can help - make plaques of the following sayings - "Because your urge to continue is stronger than your desire to quit, and because there is a difference between temporary defeat and failure, when plans fail, you will substitute other plans but never change your purpose. You can always get more of what you want because you can always become more of who you are. No matter what your past has been, you have a spotless future."  (2) "When we identify ourselves in terms of what we do, instead of who we are, we become human doings instead of human beings - unacceptable of the significance we seek" (3) "Saying YES brings success. Saying NO brings time and room for us to perfect and enjoy the art of significance".

Dan's 12 laws

#	Commandment	Meaning
1	Practice Obedience Instead of Free Will Agency
2	Exercise Perseverance Instead of Patience
3	Proactively Stretch Instead of Change	Incremental improvement goes a long way - provided you're focuing on what's important
4	Trust Predictability Instead of Hope and Faith
5	Know the Whole Truth Instead of Believing What You Think
6	Focus on Winning Instead of Team	The true measure of whether you gave your best - did you focus?
7	Do Right Instead of Seeking to Be Best
8	Experience Harmony Instead of Forcing Balance
9	Accept Others Instead of Judging Them
10	Love and Be Needed Instead of Romanced and Used
11	Establish Covenants Instead of Making Commitments
12	Forgive Instead of Apologize

For a change, chatGPT was WAY off :

Here are the 12 Laws of Significance as outlined in Dan Clark's book:

1. Law of Purpose - Discover your purpose in life and align your actions with it.
2. Law of Vision - Create a clear and compelling vision for your future.
3. Law of Character - Develop strong character traits, such as honesty and integrity.
4. Law of Courage - Be willing to take risks and face your fears.
5. Law of Commitment - Stay committed to your goals and never give up.
6. Law of Contribution - Make a positive impact on others and the world around you.
7. Law of Excellence - Strive for excellence in everything you do.
8. Law of Influence - Use your influence to inspire and empower others.
9. Law of Mindset - Cultivate a positive and growth-oriented mindset.
10. Law of Action - Take consistent and purposeful action toward your goals.
11. Law of Gratitude - Practice gratitude and appreciate the blessings in your life.
12. Law of Persistence - Persevere through challenges and setbacks to achieve your goals.

I hope this helps!