Dr. Phil Life Laws Series: Law # 1 — You Either Get it, or You Don’t


Starting this month, I would like to introduce to you, Dr. Phil’s Ten Laws of Life. Long before he had his own TV show, Dr. Phil McGraw authored a book called Life Strategies. I can say without hesitation that this is the finest self-help book that I have ever read. In this book, Dr. Phil introduces the reader to each of the ten life laws and explains how these laws play a significant role in our lives.

Each month for the next 10 months my plan is to highlight one of his Life Laws in this column. So lets get started this month with the very first of Dr. McGraw’s Ten Life Laws.

Life Law # 1 — You Either Get it, or You Don’t. Your strategy: Become one of those who gets it.

It’s easy to tell these people apart. Those who “get it” understand how things work and have a strategy to create the results they want. Those who don’t are stumbling along looking puzzled, and can be found complaining that they never get a break.
You must do what it takes to accumulate enough knowledge to “get it.” You need to operate with the information and skills necessary to win. Be prepared, tune in, find out how the game is played and play by the rules.

In designing a strategy and getting the information you need—about yourself, people you encounter, or situations—be careful from whom you accept input. Wrong thinking and misinformation can seal your fate before you even begin.
Now what do we need to do to make sure that we find ourselves among those who do get it?

First and foremost, we need to take assessment of where we are right now. Are we doing things each and every day to position ourselves for a better life? There is and old saying that goes something like this, “Success in life is kind of like going up a hill, as long as you keep moving forward you are progressing toward the top. However, if you stop, it won’t be long before you’re back at the bottom.”

Very few people continually remain on the same plain, you are either getting ahead or you are falling behind.

So, take inventory of yourself. What did you do today to show that you get it?

If you are not striving to better yourself at work, or pursuing that training or education that you really need, or breaking bad habits, or seeking a job if you don’t have one, or saving money for a better future, or forming a winning strategy than you just might find yourself at the hill’s bottom.

Let’s make sure we “get it.”