There could be people around us who lack intensity in their lives. They are lukewarm and overly patient, establishing detailed timetables, and long-term plans for the goals that may be achieved in less than a year. This lack of urgency prevents individuals from making progress on even basic tasks, resulting in frustration, overthinking, and procrastination. The cheat code to success in my life was learning how to increase my intensity. In this blog, I will discuss with you how I accomplished it.
A story on the power of intensity.
Almost a decade ago, Facebook paid $1 billion for Instagram. You, like majority of the individuals must be aware of this. However, the way Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, made this happen is what is interesting.
Kevin Systrom, who had previously worked at another company with Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, founded Instagram. When Instagram gained popularity, Jack offered Kevin $500 million to purchase it. Kevin and Jack were buddies, so it appeared to be a smooth transaction.
When Mark came to know that Instagram might be sold, he texted Kevin to set up a meeting. Kevin was afraid it might offend Twitter. It was Easter, but Mark insisted on meeting at his house on Good Friday, when the Twitter team was quiet and Jack was busy. Mark was determined not to go without a contract. Jack offered to match $500 million offer made by Kevin, but he declined. Mark then increased his offer to $1 billion, a record at the time for a mobile app. It was a massive offer for a company with no revenue and only 20 employees.
Mark and Kevin spent their Easter weekend working on the deal. Mark even hired lawyers to draft the deal over the holiday, which typically takes much longer. By the end of the weekend, Instagram had been sold to Facebook for $1 billion. Twitter was surprised when it lost what looked to be a simple transaction due to a lack of haste and passion.
The power of intensity may cause the impossible to happen as quickly as anything. If you are interested in knowing more, listen to Shane Puri, an entrepreneur, who discussed this on his podcast.
You need intensity, not mentors.
I never thought of myself as the best writer or as having an informational advantage when I reflect on my writing career. However, over the past three years, I have written on a regular basis with passion, and this commitment has led to substantial results.
Intensity is a decision. However, to be effective, you must have the right goal. A lot of individuals struggle with this because they have too many interests and ideas, so they distribute their efforts across several ventures, resulting in no traction.
Focusing on a goal enhances your intensity. I started out wanting to write, and like the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger, who dedicated himself to bodybuilding, in his prime, my desire turned into a passion.
I read about the history of the founders of Stripe, John and Patrick, while doing research for one of my writing projects. One story from their early years stood out to me. They approached various entrepreneurs and asked if they needed help collecting payments. If someone expressed interest, they would immediately help them set up Stripe on their laptop. They didn’t wait or send email pitches; they acted fast.
Intensity creates a rush, which helps overcome obstacles and gain momentum quickly.
You think you have time.
When you experience so many failures, you frequently find yourself in a scenario where you don’t know where to go or what to do next. Then you come across people who respond to problems in a way that changes your perspective on life. What is the problem, then? The problem is you think you have time.
When you become fatally ill, your view of time changes. A decade seems insignificant, and 30 days feel like 30 seconds. Why? As a result of the invisible countdown timer that is ticking away, time is running out. Facing death makes you live more intensely.
Stop assuming you have time. It is now or never. You might not retire. A lot of people aim to start later, assuming that work will be less chaotic, yet the world is becoming busier. Employers frequently assign more work, not less.
You have time right now—before and after work, on weekends, and on vacations. Either you make time for your passions, or you die with regret. There is no middle ground.
Final Thought
The individual who is the most determined will win. Stop dabbling in passions, hobbies, and hazy future ambitions. Get serious about what you desire. Make actual decisions. When you are totally focused, there is no competition.
You are in a league of your own, accomplishing things most people can only dream of. Big victories demand intensity. Is there a cheat code to success? Tell us in the comments if you believe in the power of intensity and why.
Sana Ahmed Khan is a life coach and author of multiple books from Islamabad, Pakistan. As a certified life coach and author, Sana is keen on helping women from all walks of life. Sana empowers you to overcome self-doubt, find balance, and become your best self through her guidance focused on mindful living, social skills, and personal development.
