Several years ago i cycled with a partner from cape town to the uk covering a distance of 13 000 kilometers, visiting 21 countries, travelling for 14 months. nature nailed me with three attacks of malaria and 87 punctures. The wheels went round 17 000 000 times.

Fifteen years later the experience lives with me every day because of the big lesson i learned: doing what you say gets you what you want.

I did what I said and got what I wanted. i had realised a simple formula that i have turned into my guiding philosophy. I have made it my mission to help people to do what they say, because, to me, it is the greatest piece of useful, practical wisdom there is for transforming this planet.

What would happen if you did what you said consistent with what you wanted on a regular basis? If you did the right things right, but also had compassion for yourself if you didn’t?

It sounds pretty simple, right? Sure, but if it was, i wouldn’t be writing this article and i think our world would look very, very different. So, why do human beings not do this? You, me, friends, family, colleagues and politicians? It is deserving of a longer answer, but the bottom line is that we either do what we say, or we give reasons, excuses or justifications and trot off to more courses, shrinks and bookshops to find the missing piece.

It takes courage, tenacity and discipline to do something that we say we will, especially when it challenges us. It is easier to make excuses to ourselves and others than confront the fact that we gave up.

So, try this: watch your word very closely. If you say you are going to do something, do it. (Start small if you are beginner!) if you do it, congratulate yourself. If you see yourself going off track, get in communication early. If you break a promise, clean it up quickly.

Try this actively for a month and see what happens. Please email me with any victories or challenges. Good luck.