willie jackson

Month: February 2012

  • Don’t expect it to be linear

    There will come a time on a path to achievement when coasting along will no longer suffice (this should be around day two).

    You would be forgiven for thinking that the challenge will ramp up gradually and increase every day. What really happens is that you run into a brick wall.

    Leo wrote a brilliant post recently that illustrates the danger of doing anything we don’t want to become good at: every time we do it, we get better at it.

    Anything worth doing involves the brick wall experience and while it’s tempting to postpone what’s needed (getting through, over, or around it), you’re just getting better at ensuring that the challenge is never addressed properly.

  • On track is behind

    Everyone knows that being behind is terrible, but the next level of preparation involves realizing that being on schedule is behind.

    It is simply impossible to delight customers, account for the unexpected, and deliver the highest quality product or service without trying to aggressively beat deadlines and stay ahead of what’s needed.

    If you’re treading just above water for too long, you might as well resign yourself to catastrophic failure while you’re at it. Get ahead while you can.

  • Now or never

    …but most people act like it’ll happen tomorrow. Or maybe one day.

    The trouble, as you know, is that one day never gets here. A week turns into a month, Resistance stomps out anything even resembling courage, and a life full of potential is squandered.

    I’ve seen it myself, and I’ve only been truly awake for about a year.

    The allure of tomorrow is seductive because it absolves us of the responsibility to act quickly and decisively. Your friends aren’t going to push you to do things that you need to be doing, in part because they don’t want the same responsibility, and in part because you haven’t shared your (scary) goals with them.

    The road to doing what matters is littered with the souls of many who lost their nerve. Those who never started, and those who were afraid to stare into what’s possible and operate in the uncertainty of tomorrow.

    Sadly, a “safe” existence is both an illusion and no way to live.

    Writing the book, quitting the job, sticking it to the man, or picking up the phone to tell dad that you forgive him. It doesn’t matter what it is, the same war must be waged on fear.

    As always, I’m rooting for you.

  • The real enemy

    If you’re trying to get into the mind of your customer, approach a pretty lady to ask for her number (or a handsome gentlemen for his…?), bring a new service to market, or launch an honest business…your enemy isn’t just the competition.

    What you’re really battling against is everyone who has done it wrong.

  • Not exactly

    Shoving a business card in my hand within moments of meeting me is not networking.

    Setting your posts to be automatically tweeted is not “utilizing social media.”

    Spamming your address book about your startup is not marketing.

    Offering me a flyer as I walk by is not event promotion.

    Texting “how are things?” is not staying in touch.

    You can do so much better.

  • Position of power

    It’s a simple promise to make yourself: never make decisions from a place of scarcity, fear, or desperation.

    If you find yourself struggling with this constantly (or, say…more than once), then what’s needed is for you to ensure that you’re operating in abundance, courage, and strength.

    How do you do this?

    • Set goals that scare you
    • Keep promises you make to yourself and others
    • Hold yourself publicly accountable
    • Do work that matters
    • Avoid complacency

    The rest takes care of itself (or becomes obvious).

  • Intensity

    I’ve been playing around with kettlebells for a few months now with varying amounts of conviction. During a recent workout, I decided to actually follow the instructions and rest only for short periods between sets (which involved working out the entire body).

    It was a different workout.

    Usually I’ll rest for too long between sets, taking the time to make coffee, return a few emails, or go on vacation before returning to the punishment. After doing the workout as it was intended this time however, I was exhausted.

    This reminded me of the sustained high-output effort it takes to make progress on anything worthwhile. Intermittent bursts of progress here and there are ok, but a consistent push is required to realize meaningful progress.

  • Following up isn’t work

    If your job involves sales and outreach, your routine likely involves multiple conversations with prospective clients. A call here, another call next week (that’s rescheduled for the following week…), etc.

    You might be diligent about the followups and staying on the radar of your prospects, but I’m not convinced that this counts as work. Work is making what you’re selling discussion-worthy. Work is helping to build something that causes your phone to ring.

    Work is doing what no one else has the guts to do, consistently, because that’s what’s needed.

  • Tripling down

    Another one of the many lessons I’ve learned from my CEO recently.

    There is no special praise reserved for working hard — that’s expected and required. You work a late night here, go without sleep there, do a lot of work behind the scenes for no recognition for months on end.

    That’s great.

    But the sooner you realize that working hard is not enough, the better off you will be. Add these to your list:

    • Make your goals and progress public (even if it’s internal to your team)
    • Taking on projects that you’re not ready for
    • Asking for help when you need it
    • Stop toiling away in obscurity
    • Keep your promises
    • Work harder
    • Work faster

    Doubling down isn’t enough for someone with your skill, talent, potential and ambition. And all those things are worthless if you don’t apply them!

    “Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away.” – Charles Caleb Colton