It’samazing the excuses we come up with to avoid taking action.
Recently, a friend of mine held a “beforeand after” business transformation contest. Entrants had to show how theirbusiness grew over six weeks. They could have shown a growth in email list sizeor sales. The winner would receive £500.
However, out of 7000 readers, he only receivedtwo entries. He also received alot of excuses for why people didn’t enter.
The excuses were not very good. They may as wellhave told him, “their dog ate their computer.”
The real reason people didn’t enter the contestwas because most people don’t have a good enough reason to change. Deep down,they’re happy with the way things are now.
It is interesting how alot of people talk aboutmaking changes, but when it comes time to take action, nothing happens. But actions speak louder than words. Youhave recognise the difference between daydreaming and serious goal setting. Twovery, very different things.
So it’s time to take things very seriously.
Here’s what you need you to do:
1) Set hard deadlines for finishing a majorproject in your business.
2) Now cut that deadline by 10%, 25%, or even50%.
3) Trust me, you’ll find a way to get it done inless time.
One of the most important lessons Tim Ferrisstaught us in the 4-Hour Work Week was about “Parkinson’s Law” which states:
“Work expands so as to fill the time availablefor its completion.”
If we set a deadline for 6-months from now,we’ll meet it.
But if you take that same project and cut thedeadline to just 3-months from now, you would still meet it.
You will find a way.
Deadlines make you take action…and bring bigrewards when you meet them.
Get serious. Set a tough deadline. And get itdone.
I’m off to take my own advice!
