This Is How We Do It summary

Now, be really honest with yourself: can people count on you to show up on time? If the answer is yes, you’re already off to a great start. If it’s a reluctant no – you’ve got some work to do. 

Unfortunately, in this chaotic era that we’re living in, reliability and consistency have fallen by the wayside. Being truly reliable requires a good relationship with time and taking responsibility to live up to your obligations. And this involves knowing your limits and how to say no.

The first two tools were pretty basic self-help concepts that you’ve definitely heard before. This next one is a bit more original.

Hart’s idea of “cowboying up” is about taking ownership of not only your words and actions, but every aspect of your life. To truly know yourself, you have to settle in and face reality. 

So we’ve already covered cowboys, now let’s move on to teddy bears. You’re probably wondering what on earth a teddy bear could teach you about living your best life.

Well, think about what teddy bears mean to kids – comfort, affection, and feelings of safety. Teddy bears make us feel good. “Teddy bearing” – as Hart calls it – means being a pleasant, likable human being. Simple as that. And making the people around you feel happy is one of the fastest ways to create a more peaceful, harmonious life for yourself too. 

It might seem contradictory to everything we’ve just talked about, but Hart’s next piece of advice is to always stay dissatisfied. 

If this seems weird to you, that’s normal. Hart admits that this concept is pretty easy to misunderstand. He’s not saying that you should be miserable and unhappy with the way things are in your life. He just means that you should be able to stop and say, “Things are pretty great, but I know I can do better.”

So what happens if we utilize these tools, grind our way to the top, and reach success? Does the work stop? Absolutely not.

The last tool we’re going to talk about is humility – something that becomes incredibly important as we begin to reach our goals. 

Hart’s tools aren’t like that power drill you bought for sporadic DIY projects. They’re intended for daily use, to form a new way of thinking, feeling, and simply being. It’s on this new, sturdy foundation that you can build a better life for yourself and the people around you.

At its core, this foundation is centered on becoming the best version of yourself and inspiring others to do the same. Being reliable will make you someone others can count on. Cowboying up will help you take ownership of your life. Becoming a teddy bear will allow you to bring comfort and safety to the people who matter most.