The CORE Principle

Steve explains why motivation is an emotion and therefore unreliable. Commitment, in contrast, is a deliberate Human decision to follow a process regardless of how you feel. Commitment focuses on the plan rather than the outcome.

Ownership means agreeing with and believing in the plan you are following. You do not always need to create the plan yourself, but you must accept it and commit to it fully for it to work.

Responsibility involves monitoring progress, making adjustments, and reporting back. Accountability supports both the Human and the Chimp by keeping the plan on track and reinforcing progress.

Excellence does not mean perfection. It means doing the best you can under the circumstances. Personal excellence allows you to be proud of your effort without demanding unrealistic perfection.

Steve introduces the importance of identifying potential obstacles. Hurdles must be jumped, barriers can be worked around, and pitfalls must be avoided. Recognising these in advance improves success.

When building a plan, it is important to distinguish what is essential, what is significant, and what is desirable. This helps prioritise effort and avoid distraction.