My friend Nick shared an article about the new iPhone 5 that explored what users were most likely to upgrade their current phones to the newest technology.

While I’ll be talking about phones for the next few sentences, my larger point is to contrast the mindset of ‘Upgraders” with the mindset of most everyone else.

Okay, before delving into it, let me put the question to you…

Who do you think is most likely to upgrade to an iPhone 5?

A. iPhone 4 owners?
(phones that are less than 1 year old)

or

B. iPhone 2 and 3 owners?
(phones that are between 2 and 4 years old)

.

.

.

The correct answer is A. People who own the practically new iPhone 4 are more likely to upgrade, and by a significant margin.

At first, I found this to be counter-intuitive. After all, one could reasonably expect that people with older phones would be more ready to upgrade than those with a practically new phone, right?

However, the more I interpreted though the lens of Upgraders (instead of merely cell phone consumers), this finding makes perfect sense.

I know Upgraders well for a couple reasons…

First, I am one. Second, Upgraders are the people who keep me in business.

Upgraders are clients, my club members, and the good people who invest their dollars in my books and products. (You are appreciated.)

Inspired by the iPhone article, I have come up with a baker’s dozen of distinctions between Upgraders and everyone else, aka “The Herd.”

(While I believe that there is no right way to live, I am an unabashed fan of living as an Upgrader. I freely admit that I have trouble relating to people who lack the desire to live the best life they can.)

By sharing these, I hope to get you thinking about whether you make the cut as an Upgrader.

 

1. Upgraders consistently move toward something better, quickly.

The Herd moves slowly and toward no clear destination.

 

2. Upgraders love to learn new things.  Especially about themselves and how to get out of their own way.

The Herd allows their sense of curiosity to dull.

 

3. Upgraders invest in getting better.

The Herd does not understand the concept of investing in themselves; they see only expenses.

 

4. Upgraders show up.

The Herd has good intentions and excuses for why they couldn’t be there.

 

5. Upgraders seek out and surround themselves with other Upgraders.

The Herd hangs out with those in close proximity.

 

6. Upgraders decide.

The Herd waits for decisions to be made around them.

 

7. Upgraders choose their destiny and believe that they can get what they really want.

The Herd takes what they think they can get.

 

8. Upgraders are consistently creating something new.

The Herd creates more of the same.

 

9. Upgraders want to thrive.

The Herd wants to survive.

 

10. Upgraders practice optimism.

The Herd thinks of themselves as optimists but let the same old fears dictate their outcomes.

 

11. Upgraders are not willing to settle or suffer.

The Herd is not aware there’s an option.

 

12. Upgraders change, evolve, and improve their results.

The Herd continues to deal with the same issues (money, relationships, health, happiness, etc.) year after year after year.

 

13. Upgraders are considered abnormal, in the very best way.

The Herd is just like everyone else.

 

I share this perspective as a coach, sure. I naturally want the best for people.  But the deeper truth is that the profession of coaching attracted me because I have been living as an Upgrader for as long as I can remember.

If you know me personally, it’s no big secret that it drives me crazy to see people settling in their lives. I have little tolerance for people who are not interested in getting better. (I have even less tolerance for those who are interested, but do nothing!)

I have a gift (a gift I’ve cultivated), for being able to guide people to an easier way of getting what they most want. The thing is, the adjustments most people have to make are really no big deal… a tweak here, some clarity there, a new habit or two… and voila! An exponentially better life! Lots of cool new things happening with a lot less effort.

That said, I understand that most people are not interested in working with a coach (see Distinction #3). Some people get it (like every elite performer or athlete you can think of); most other people do not. And that’s cool. I’m long past trying to convince or persuade anyone who’s not interested in what I bring to the table. (Not only do these attempts inevitably fail, it’s waaay too much work.)

A significant number of people on my mailing list will not bother to click the link and read this post. (Hey, you made it!)

Of course, I’m not writing to those people…

And I’m not writing to the people who read this and go “oh, that was kind of interesting…” and move on with their day.

No, as these distinctions poured out of me, I realized I was writing them for the person who’s been asking for something even better than their already-very-cool-life and are inspired to UPGRADE.

If that’s indeed you, act.

Decide to become one of the “abnormal ones” and surround yourself with other Upgraders.

 

 

* * *

How do you immerse yourself in the Upgrader mentality?

I suggest you begin by investing in my stuff…

Read my book.

Join my very cool, private coaching club… (a sweet deal)

If you’re really ready to go, this is the last call for my live retreat in Burlington, Vermont this weekend Sept 30-Oct 1.