Just Do It is more than just a Nike slogan. It’s something I’ve been trying to actively embody for the past several years. However, it seems to have been popping up more and more lately.
I was recently reading Jim Collins’ book Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0, where he discusses the concept of just doing the thing. My coach, Ryan Guthrie, also echoes this regularly to me.
So often, when I think about taking some action, I start to think 10 steps ahead about all the scenarios that could happen. I know I’m not alone in this. The truth is, we can’t always predict or control what happens, especially when there are other people involved.
From the time I started my business, I’ve continued to work on the concept of just doing it. I’ve definitely improved over the years and continue to work on this skill because it’s so important and has led me to the success I have in my business today.
Because I feel it’s so important and know I’m not the only one who can struggle with this at times, I wanted to share my thoughts on some of the biggest categories where I think it can be impactful to just do the thing!
Making a Connection
It doesn’t hurt to reach out to connect with someone new. You just need to go in with the right mindset.
Reaching out to make a connection can open up endless possibilities. For service providers, you may reach out to offer your services. If they sign up, that’s great, but the potential impact a connection can have is far more expansive than that.
A new connection may connect you to someone else in their network who they feel may benefit from your support. You may connect with someone who offers services complementary to your own who you can refer people back and forth. You may come across a new mentor. You may find someone journeying on a path similar to your own.
The important part of making a new connection is to go in with genuine intentions to make great connections and serve. If money is the primary intent, you’ll feel slimy about it and the other person will feel it as well.
When you reach out authentically, the resistance goes away because you are unattached to the outcome and are open to the possibilities. That’s when it’s easiest to just send the message, just send the connection request, or just set up that meeting.
They may not respond, and that’s okay. Everyone’s journey looks different. It’s not a reflection on you; it may just be a reflection of their priorities at this time. In the worst case scenario, you don’t get the nicest response back, but that’s more of a reflection on the internal struggles of that person than it is on you.
The potential downside of just reaching out to someone is pretty low, but the potential upside is immense. Once you make a genuine connection, a whole new world of connections is opened up. They can connect you to others, and you can help connect them to others in your network, which is a win-win.
Stepping into Something New
Trying something new doesn’t need to be big and scary. The start to anything new begins with one small step. There’s no other way to do it than that. What appears to be overnight success is almost always preceded by many small steps, building on each other leading up to that.
If you want to start a new service offering, start posting about it and see what happens. Try supporting a client and see how you like it. Don’t worry about building an empire before you’ve even decided if you like the location.
If you want to write a book, start with one chapter or even one paragraph. You don’t need to have the perfect idea and plan. You gain clarity through the process. You don’t even need to have perfect execution. First drafts are messy. Get the ideas on paper and refine from there.
If you want to start a business, you don’t need to leave your career cold turkey. You can start pursuing opportunities and learning on the side. This helps you to see what you like and don’t like and helps you to get traction before you make a huge leap. Once you have the traction and foundation in place, a career change becomes another step in the process.
The point is that change doesn’t need to start with a massive action. It starts with one small step, and then the next step becomes clear. Soon, these steps add up to something incredible.
Having a Tough Conversation
Sometimes, as business owners or leaders, we need to have tough conversations. These aren’t meant to be a flex of muscle or demonstration of power. They’re meant to benefit both you and the other party, whether that’s a client, employee, or contractor.
When we recognize that we need to have one of these conversations, it can be easy to spiral into anticipating the worst case scenario. We begin to consider how to mitigate risk in these options, think about whether the conversation is really necessary, or wonder if maybe we should put it off.
This often makes the conversation harder than it needs to be. As authentic leaders, if we feel we need to have a tough conversation, it’s because we’re trying to create a better situation for both ourselves and the other party. Sometimes these conversations may be recommendations on how to create the best output. Other times, these conversations may be meant to set expectations that set you and the other party up for success. The list goes on and on.
In my experience, when we approach these conversations with kindness, respect, and an authentic “why”, the outcomes have been really positive. They may even make the relationship stronger.
But procrastinating the conversation or building up more worry than necessary can be detrimental, and more damage and resentment could be created in the process. Many times, it’s better to just have the conversation.
If you’ve been contemplating writing a book, your “just do it” moment could be booking a discovery call with me. No pressure and no strings attached. Just a chat and the opportunity to make a new connection. Book your time using the button below!
Disclaimer: This blog should not be construed as providing, or intending to provide professional financial, legal, psychological, or other professional advice. It is simply meant to share my experiences with those who may find them relatable and helpful.