March Forth. In FM.

Today. March 4th. March Forth. Life is better in F(orward) M(otion).

Because our brain is tuned to the radio station WIIFM— scanning the environment asking What’s In It For Me?

“Pain is a signal to move. Movement is medicine.”
(Thank you, Carrie– two powerful quotes from fitness entrepreneur Carrie Wightman, a source of daily inspiration to me.)

March Forth: Today’s date is a powerful metaphor, a command (Commandment? more on that below!), a reminder that momentum matters. Movement motivates. Action beats overthinking. Optimism fuels performance.

Science backs this up…. When we feel optimistic, our brains release serotonin and dopamine—chemicals that enhance confidence, learning, and resilience. They are called “the molecules of more”.

“Optimism is a performance-enhancing drug that’s both legal and free.”

(Thank you, Shane Parrish– I am inspired each Sunday by Shane’s Brain Food newsletter.)

The Science of What Matters

Living in FM: 7 Mantra’s for Motivation, Decisions and Results

Years ago I began using a single personal mantra to push through tough times. Times like when our infant daughter was on life-support (Devon turns 26 this year. Mahalo, Lord); or that six-month stretch 25 years ago when retinal detachments in both eyes required 30 eye surgeries without which I’d be blind today (another Mahalo)… as I continued to study the science and psychology of achievement I added an initial 7 to the Living in FM Mantra List.

Adding an 8th FM as a bonus suggested by Ed Horrocks, my dear friend and purpose-based branding expert.

Got one more to add? I’m inviting you to suggest a few more and we can get this list to 10– it seems like Ten is a historically good number to give to guidelines on living… (thank you, Moses).

7 Mantra’s for Living in FM.

FM Mantra Number 1 is the big one:

1. Forward Motion. A thing in motion stays in motion, the key is starting. Small actions create momentum. “Every day in every way I’m getting better and better.” Incremental improvement leads to exponential growth.
2. Force Multipliers. Belief and enthusiasm amplify effort, the military uses the term “Force Multiplier” and there is a chemical basis to confidence, it is catchy. One person on a team infects 5 others and they pass it on to… you get it, now go do it.
3. Forcing Mechanisms. Cues and routines shape decisions, habits and outcomes. What we see in our environment triggers behaviors. Want to get something done? Give it a Deadline. Deadlines are one of the three most powerful forcing mechanisms,
4. First-Class Mode. Engaging with the best creates more options than you realize, especially when things go wrong. (I blew two tires at 8 PM driving home from the airport, called my Porsche dealer at home and he had a tow truck dispatched for me in minutes—try that with a dealer you chose because they were the cheapest.)
5. Friction Minimization. Remove obstacles before they slow you down.
6. Framing Mechanisms. Nothing is absolute; everything is relative to what we compare it to. You have the power to change how people (including yourself) see and feel anything based on the framing you create. Think you got a big boat, or that your housing market is expensive? Visit the Hamptons in July.
7. Focus Modulation. What we focus on directs our attention and our energy. Sound, visuals, and environment influence attention, mindset, and performance.
8. BONUS… suggested to me on Sunday as I was riffing off this concept with my friends… Find Meaning. People will do anything for the right reason, the right “why”. Find Meaning and you will find motivation– for yourself, for your Team, for your customers, for your community.
9. …  suggestions for number 9?
10. … and ten?

🔸 Forward Motion – Small actions create momentum. The key is starting.

Modern psychologists refer to this as the Commitment and Consistency Bias… in 1687 Newton described it as a natural law “A thing in Motion will stay in motion” and in 350 BC Aristotle wrote “Well begun is half done.”

It is one of the 26 YESENTIALS® that are a core part of the YESCALATE® Sales Optimization Program.

It’s the way we do anything, the way we learn anything – little by little, then all at once: it’s the way we fall in love, learn to play an instrument, become skilled in a field. Research shows that learning and engagement start small and then it builds.

The key to all of this? Keep moving forward.

Our yearly reminder: March 4th, March Forth.

Keep moving. Keep optimizing. Keep getting better.

Keep Living in FM.