Why do we do the things we do? If you're like me, you may have spent some time over the Christmas holidays reviewing 2023 and planning for 2024. The task seems simple enough: review the past, plan for the year, and execute the plan. Yet, as we look towards the execution phase, the complexities become apparent. Why do some individuals effortlessly achieve their goals while others stumble along the way? It's a question that extends beyond personal growth to the very fabric of our society.
In the realm of business, the contrast between success and failure often boils down to execution, a concept eloquently explored by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan in their seminal work, Execution. Companies that seamlessly weave together strategy, goals and people tend to thrive. But can this principle be translated to the individual level? Tony Robbins introduces a compelling perspective suggesting that our choices can be categorized into four classes of experiences, shedding light on the factors influencing our willingness to execute plans.
It is worth looking at from several perspectives; personal goals, our political leaders’ abilities to make good long-term decisions and our willingness as a society to say ‘no’ to some of the nonsense going on.
Class 1 experiences stand as the pinnacle of human existence encompassing actions that feel good, are good for us, benefit others and serve the greater good. Picture the neighbourly act of shovelling snow from your neighbour's walkway — an act that aligns harmoniously with all four criteria. The resonance of such experiences is undeniable creating joy, fulfillment, and communal well-being.
Intriguingly, Class 2 experiences diverge from the expected, as they don't provide immediate pleasure. However, they are good for you, good for others, and serve the greater good. Choosing the challenging path of personal growth or making sacrifices for the collective benefit falls into this category. The paradox here is that while these experiences may lack the instant gratification of class one, they often yield the most profound joy and fulfillment in the long run.
Class 3 experiences, in contrast, offer immediate pleasure but come at a significant cost. While they feel good, they are not beneficial for us, others, or the greater good. Robbins suggests that these experiences may bring momentary satisfaction but inevitably lead to the erosion of our quality of life, causing enduring pain.
Lastly, Class 4 experiences defy logic. They neither feel good nor contribute positively to our well-being, society, or the greater good. Engaging in such activities may be attributed to peer pressure, conditioning, or outdated belief systems. It is within this realm that many vices find their place – actions that defy reason and self-interest.
Understanding these classes of experiences provides a roadmap for evaluating our choices and actions. It prompts us to question why we might gravitate towards short-term pleasures at the expense of long-term fulfillment.
According to Robbins, the secret of a happy and fulfilling life is learning to convert class two experiences into class one experiences. By consciously choosing actions that align with the greater good, even when they don't feel good in the moment, we stand poised to achieve personal growth, collective well-being, and a society that executes its plans with purpose and resilience.
