Okay I’ll go ahead and finish the sentence:
The World Doesn’t Pay You For What You Know but for What You Do. I guess we would all acknowledge the truth of that and yet I am amazed at the number of people I run into who are bogged down in analyzing, learning, planning and organizing when what they really need to do is take action. I think more than anything else that’s what separates winners from losers – the winners take action.
I saw Jack Canfield demonstrate this one time in a seminar. He held up a $100 bill and asked, “Who wants this $100 bill?” People all over the room said, “I do” or “Please pick me.” And Jack just stood there waving that $100 bill and kept asking “Who wants this $100 bill?” Finally, someone jumped out of there seat, ran to the front and grabbed it out of his hand. He then asked, “What did she do that no one else did?” Right, she took action.
If you were in that room you may share in the reasons given by those still in their seats:
- “I didn’t want to look like I needed it that badly.”
- “I wasn’t sure if you would really give it to me.”
- “I thought someone else would get there first.”
- “I figured there must be a trick someone – you wouldn’t really give it away.”
- “I didn’t want to look greedy.”
- “I was waiting for further instructions.”
And then Jack gently pointed out that the things we say to ourselves are probably the same things we are saying that are stopping us in other areas of our lives. If you are cautious here, you are probably cautious everywhere. If you hold back for fear of looking foolish, you probably hold back for fear of looking foolish in most situations. If you needed more instructions here, you probably find yourself needing more instructions before moving ahead. If you assume it’s already been done or someone else will surely beat you to it, you may be missing more unique opportunities.
Henry Ford said “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”
Any success I’ve had has come as a result of just doing something – most of the time before I had done a lot of research or planning. The first version of 48 Days to the Work You Love had an ugly blue cover printed at Kinkos, held together with a spiral binding. Then we added a free-standing cassette recording that I did at a friend’s house. No editing, no correcting, no music intros. We just did it and people started buying. If I had waited until I knew how to do everything right I probably would have missed the first $1 million in sales.
One of the hottest topics I’m dealing with right now is people who are “over-educated” and frustrated because companies don’t care what they know. Those companies only care about what you can DO. In working on the revision of 48 Days (to be released January 2015) I have heard from tons of hiring managers who are frustrated by candidates who lead with their degrees rather than with what they can do to contribute to the organization.
What do you need to start DOING to stand out in your company, your business, your family, your community?
For me I need to keep doing. Keep moving, don’t stop.
The example of your first book printed at Kinko’s has been burned in my mind. You just started. Dave Ramsey shares in his recent book, Entreleadership, that only 6 people showed up at his first seminar! From those two experiences I tell myself that great things can happen from small beginnings. This is a great encouragement to me and thank you for sharing so openly.
This past weekend I spoke to a group of people who wanted to write a book. I told them not to wait until they had a platform to write it because writers don’t need another excuse not to write. I also added that a book that isn’t written doesn’t need a cover. Write the book first.
Thank you Dan for your encouragement and leading by example.
Sutton – I saw a nice notice in the paper announcing you as the speaker at the GraceWorks event – very cool.
Yep I’ve always been one to just jump in the game and figure things out as I go along. That seems to have worked pretty well for me. You’re right behind me with all you’re doing.
Sutton, my scripture reading this morning aligns perfectly with your comments:
“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” Job 8:7
Dan, I love the story of the first itterations of 48 Days. It amazes me every time I hear it. Why is it that I keep forgetting its simple message and revert to my old habits of researching and analyzing–trying not to look foolish! Thank you for sharing it again.
Dan, I know I can be a perfectionist with anything I work on. So your stories of how you ship on products that are in a rough draft form has helped me to realize I just need to get it out the door in some fashion. I can always enhance and update as I go. Since I adopted that view I have produced much more than I thought I could. As always, thanks for your encouragement and insight.
Adam – that sounds awesome. I love the fact that we don’t have to wait until it’s perfect. Just get in the game and figure it out as you keep progressing.
Dan I’ve been thinking about creating two products for a while now but haven’t taken action. I know they can be helpful but I’ve been stuck in inaction. I’m motivated from this post and will start on these products today. Please help keep me accountable!
Sounds good. Yeah I’ve always been the kind of guy to jump and then hope a net shows up. A friend of mine wrote a book with that title a few years ago – Jump and the Net Will Appear.
Thanks for the encouragement to keep moving! My own bent is to work steadily – maybe even “plod” – without lots of quick changes but very decent progress over the long haul. My DISC is fairly high “S,” so that’s no big surprise. What’s been very helpful, though, is consistent contact with action-oriented people (Ds and Is) who inspire me to see a larger aim and a bigger picture.
I have to work on “get going” and stop talking about it. Thanks Dan for the encouragement.
Agree with this but had a plumber tell me just the opposite once, after putting a wrench on a nut and turning 1/4 turn. He then handed me a hefty bill. 😉
That’s what I do with writing. I finish one book, then start in on the next idea. Now I have written four. People ask me how I have the time. Well, I have the same amount of time as everyone else, I just take action, even if it is writing once a week on Saturdays.
That is the perfect answer. You have as much time as everyone else. It is humerous when people ask that question, as if we have some magical ability to create a 25th hour out of a 24 hour day.
Actually this point was what helped me have a difficult conversation with my parents about my role in the family business. Regardless of what I knew,there just wasn’t a place for my skill set in the family business. It allowed me to say, “Here is my skill set. Here is what I would like to do. I understand there is no place for me. I am going to be looking for a new position in another company.” Before making that connection, I worried over having that conversation for months.
For me I need to focus on why people really connect with me and not be a carbon copy of someone else who is where I want to be. People want to connect with me.
Dan,
I love this post. I need this post – thank you. Over the past few years I’ve done more than I ever dreamed possible. I’ve found that action is great and strategic action is fantastic. When we have a plan behind our action amazing things happen.
Adam – you have indeed. Congrats on doing as well as knowing.
First line says it all!
This is such a great post, and so timely. It seems there is so much more talking than doing now. Thanks for this!
Vincent – thanks. You got that right. Most people know a lot and are quick to tell you about it – but then don’t do anything out of the ordinary.
I am one of those always preparing to get ready, and fail to just take action. Thanks for telling it like it is. There are some limiting beliefs I still need to overcome.
Ready, Fire, Aim! 😉
Good thoughts Dan. The fear of rejection is a strong force. It holds us back more often than we realize.