Ideas behind "The Zorro Circle"

• Research shows that when we feel that we’re in control of a situation, we’re happier and able to perform at a higher level.
• When a task is very large, we lose the feeling of control and influence, we feel overwhelmed, our brains are hijacked by fear and stress, and our abilities plummet.
• You take control of the situation by starting with small, manageable steps.
• Once you’ve mastered one small area, you expand that mastery outward.
• Keep expanding outward until you’ve achieved your goal.

Instead of setting the goal of fighting an entire army at once, fight within your Zorro Circle. As you successfully defend your Zorro Circle, —that is, as you conquer each task toward the achievement of your goal–, you’ll be ready to expand your circle.

Examples

• Clutter. If your home is cluttered and disorganized, instead of setting the task of decluttering your entire house, draw a Zorro Circle around an area of your home that you use on a regular basis. As an example, you could choose the kitchen sink. Clean and clear the kitchen sink. Then, actively guard that area from any and all clutter. Even if the rest of the house is a mess, you have to make sure that the kitchen sink is always spotless.
• Stress. Start getting up a few minutes earlier each day. Streamline your morning routine. Pack up your breakfast and eat it at your desk instead of having it at home.
• Finances. Make a list of all your debts and then draw a Zorro Circle around the debt with the smallest balance. Throw everything that you can at that debt. Concentrate on that debt until you’ve completely paid it off.

What a Masked Vigilante Can Teach You About Goal Achievement - The Zorro Circle -