Three Little Words That Will Change Your Life (and they’re not “I Love You”)
I don’t think
he really meant me to use three words. But I did.
This one
question has focused me on what it is that I am trying to say. “What is the
message..?”
And the
answer is:
“Stop p***ing
around!”
I apologise
for the language but that’s it in a nutshell.
POINT ONE – IT IS ALL YOUR FAULT
You charge
too little for your product because you haven’t got the bottle to charge
realistic prices. You put up with slow paying customers because you are
frightened of losing them. You tolerate sloppy performance from team members to
avoid confrontation, You… you… you… It is all about you. There’s no-one else to
blame. I am sorry the only person I am talking about is you.
So what’s
going on? Well, at its simplest we blame everyone else for what’s going on: the
government, the bank, the customers, the competitors, the staff, the product.
Like a spoilt four year old who has had a rotten day facing the reality that is
life, you need to come to terms with the fact that you are the problem. No-one
else just you. It is because of your decisions and your ideas that you are
where you are today. Or are you just going to blame someone else (again!).
POINT TWO – STOP PROCRASTINATING
Your business
is like a rabbit frozen in the headlights, incapable of making a move or a
decision, unable to move in one direction or another. Or you will die.
POINT THREE – SPEED IS OF THE ESSENCE
You need to
unfreeze, relax, take stock and weigh up the choices. With great speed you need
to take the bold decision: left or right, up or down. Speed is of the essence.
The consequences of making no decision are there for all to see. Do you want to
be one more piece of roadkill for the statistics book?”
POINT FOUR – DECIDE WHICH SIDE OF THE
FENCE YOU ARE GOING TO LIVE ON
The world
seems to be dividing into two camps and living in the middle ground is
purgatory – similar to choosing the wrong side in the first place. So, are you
going to be a) decisive or b) indecisive? Bold or meek? Strong or weak?
Grown-up or child-like? Responsible or irresponsible? Bright or stupid? Clever
or dumb? Fast or slow?
POINT FIVE – JUST DO IT – NOW
Action has a
great power to it. The mere act of taking action opens up possibilities, energy
and choice. Without action everything fades into a mediocre dull blob of
emptiness.
POINT SIX – TAKE MASSIVE ACTION
Enough or
just about enough really is not good enough. Not for anyone. SO don’t mess
around. If you are going to do something, anything, then do it properly. Or
just don’t bother.
POINT SEVEN – DIY MY FOOT!
Do you really
believe you can create an effective quick fix DIY solution to what you are
doing? Remember you are where you are now because of your actions. A word to
the wise: try bringing in some experts to help you out. Do that unless you really
believe that you are cleverer, smarter, more experienced and wiser than they
are. Buyer beware: not all people who claim to be experts will be cleverer,
smarter , more experienced and wiser than you… make sure that they can also get
you and your business to move on up to the next level. It is all about results.
So, now is
the time to grow up and take responsibility for the successes and failures of
your business. Stop blaming other people and take on the challenge as an adult.
It is the
classic epic hero story: our hero feels OK then realises that things aren’t so good.
The hero goes on some journey and has to face his/her demons and comes out the
other end a stronger and better human being. Lion King, Aladdin, Star Wars,
Goonies, James Bond, Pulp Fiction, The Yes Man, Ace Ventura Pet Detective,
Batman, and King Lear.
I am not sure
if Shakespeare would approve of King Lear being summarised as “Stop p***ing around!”
But I am sure you get my point. Anyhow, now it’s your turn!
Go for it!
No comments:
Post a Comment