Are you anal about dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s? Getting everything just so. Waiting till everything’s perfect before taking action?
If so, I’d love to have you as an accountant or contract lawyer or heart surgeon where details matter.
But when it comes to growing your business, these traits in isolation are quite counterproductive.
Why? Because being stuck in a paralysis by analysis mode wanting all your ducks lined up precisely before taking action means you’ll never produce anything. Or if you do, chances are your competitors will have beaten you to the punch.
The marketing material never gets sent out. The product never hits the shelves. The builder never finishes his own house.
If this is you, ask yourself what this is really costing you. Nothing is ever 100%. It’s better to get something out there, get feedback from real clients allowing you to improve.
Think 80/20.
20% of your efforts will produce 80% of your results. 20% of your clients will bring in 80% of your revenue.
So rather than go for 100%, go for 80% and get it out there and see what happens.
The second trap involves having too many options and chasing bright shiny objects.
People prone to this start projects but never see them through to completion. Some get bored and move on. Others constantly think about all the things they “could do” and rather than focusing on one project and seeing it to completion, chop and change direction.
Either way they’ve invested time and money which gets wasted.
Yes, you can go down a track and realise halfway that it’s the wrong direction and change. This isn’t the behaviour I’m talking about.
So if you find yourself falling into either of these behaviours, decide you’ll change your modus operandi because neither will serve you.
If paralysed, move forward and make your mantra, “Progress not perfection”.
If consumed by options, stick to something until it’s finished and then move on. You’ll be far more productive in the long run.
