Three Little Words
I am lucky enough to be given an hour or so to explain my point and do so with great eloquence. I use props, slides and all manner of clever devices to make my point. And then I met a man who asked me to sum up my whole approach to business in three words.
I don’t think he actually meant me to use three words and three words only. 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 in a nutshell that’s it!
POINT ONE – IT IS ALL YOUR FAULT
You don’t charge enough for your product because you haven’t got the bottle to put your prices up. You allow slow paying customers because you are scared of losing them. You tolerate sloppy performance from team members to avoid confrontation, you… you… you… It is all your fault. There’s no-one else to blame.
So what’s behind it? Well, put simply we blame everyone else for what’s going on: the government, the bank, the customers, the competitors, the staff, the product. Like a spoilt child who is a bit grumpy from 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.
POINT TWO – STOP PROCRASTINATING
Your business is like a startled deer frozen in the headlights, incapable of making a decision one way or the other.
POINT THREE – SPEED IS OF THE ESSENCE
You need to unfreeze, breath, take stock and weigh up your options. With great speed you need to take the big 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 the middle ground is purgatory – similar to choosing the wrong side in the first place. So, are you going to be: Decisive or indecisive? Bold or meek? Strong or weak? Grown-up or immature? 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 blob of nothingness.
POINT SIX – TAKE MASSIVE ACTION
Enough, or just about enough, is really not good enough. Not for anyone. So don’t mess around. If you are going to do something, then do it well, or 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 good then realises that things aren’t so great. He hero goes on some journey and has to face his demons, coming out the other end a stronger and better. 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!
Get on and do it!
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