By Hyrum W. Smith
Co-founder/former CEO FranklinCovey
Bestselling author of “The 10 Natural Laws of Time and Life Management”, “The Three Gaps” and “You Are What You Believe”

Winston Churchill has always been one of my heroes. A defining moment in my life is when as a young man, I heard him speak in London. I have shared this moment of mine many times before, but I would like to again because it is relevant to this book. As I listened to Churchill speak towards the end of his life, he indicated that he had been obsessed with the need to make a difference on the planet.

If anyone has made a difference in this world, Winston Churchill has. He probably saved the free world during World War II. As I listened to him speak that day, his words entered my heart and lit a flame. It was as if a baton had been passed to me that day and I decided, “You know what? I’m going to make a difference too.”

I have strived to do that from that point on. One of the vehicles along my journey that allowed me to make a positive difference in people’s lives was the creation of Franklin Quest Co., which later became FranklinCovey. This is where I met Roben Graziadei. Our business was growing very fast and we needed to find dynamic, articulate and passionate presenters in order to meet the high demand for our seminars and time and life management tools. Roben was a Godsend. She became a Senior Consultant and was one of the best presenters at Franklin. She was confident and passionate about our principles and our product. She helped move forward my quest to make a difference in the world.

Now she is making a difference in her own right. She is the founder and president of Net Result$, LLC. She trains and consults individuals and companies all over the world to develop strong leadership skills, increasing their productivity and their bottom line.

Which brings us to her book, Instinctology®, A Leadership Method to Turn GUT Instincts into Concrete Action. I had not seen Roben in many years, when via modern day networking technology, we were able to reconnect several months ago. She said she was writing a book and told me a little about it. I was intrigued. She allowed me to read a rough draft and today I am honored to write the foreword. The trademarked term “Instinctology®” is in part defined by Roben as:

The art and habit of listening to, trusting and acting upon your GUT instincts so that
Instinctology® becomes a Life-giving and productive lifestyle…….

There is more, but I don’t want to spoil the discovery. I especially appreciate that GUT is an acronym. Read on to learn what that acronym represents. I particularly wanted to focus on the word ‘habit’ in her definition. There is a poem called “Habit” by an unknown author that has impacted me over my life. It goes like this:

HABIT

I am your constant companion, I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am completely at your command,
Half the things you do
You might just as well turn over to me
And I will do them quickly and correctly

I am easily managed, you must merely be firm with me
Show me exactly how you want something done
And I will do it automatically

I am not a machine,
Though I work with all the precision of a machine
Plus the intelligence of a man

You may run me for profit or run me for ruin
It makes no difference to me
I am the servant of all great men
Alas of all failures as well

Take me, train me, be firm with me
And I will place the world at your feet
Be easy with me and I will destroy you

Who am I?

I AM HABIT

Unknown Author

We are making habits every day, sometimes without even realizing it. Our habits can make us or break us. If you incorporate the Instinctology® Lifestyle habit, as explained in this book, it will make you. It’s as simple as that. I have taught all of my adult life that there are natural laws or true principles that govern behavior and its outcome that are just as real as the natural law of gravity, that when applied will bring inner peace and a balanced life which in turn leads to more productivity and success. Roben Graziadei’s Instinctology®, A Leadership Method to Turn GUT Instincts into Concrete Action is filled with many of those true principles.

As I understand Instinctology®, it is not only a way of living, it is a mentality that allows you to tap into and use your GUT as a tool to bridge what I call the Gaps in our lives. You can become your best self as well as achieve your vision, or reach your goals and lead others to do the same. By living in the Instinctology® life style, you can make a difference in the world around you.

Best wishes to everyone who reads this book. You are about to begin an impactful journey that will enrich the rest of your life.