Don’t Implement Solutions. Prevent Problems.

Don’t Implement Solutions. Prevent Problems.

cleanup

We waste so much time and money trying to fix the messes we have created. Yet everything we implement to clean up our bad decisions won’t be enough if we keep on creating new disasters.

Shouldn’t we have thought of that before?

When creating, get into the business of anticipating problems and preventing them from happening. It’s smarter, cheaper, and a hell of a lot more effective than the constant overhauls we have grown accustomed to.

photo credit: conormac
Practical Pessimism

Practical Pessimism

pessimism

Sometimes a lack of confidence can help.

Hope is a great quality and it is no doubt that your optimism towards what is possible has led you to where you are today. But pessimism about the future has a necessary place in your life and business too.

Optimism rules when anticipating (predicting) and enjoying outcomes — but there’s also great value in being pessimistic when preparing (considering) outcomes. After all, things don’t always go ‘our way’.

Call it ‘worst-case scenario’ planning.

Take time to identify your greatest fears about an undertaking. Develop a scenario for how you would deal with the fear if it became reality.

For example, when starting Elastic Mind I was afraid that I wouldn’t make a sustainable living as a writer and web consultant. So, I developed a ‘worst-case scenario’ plan that allowed me to keep doing what I love and make more money, if needed. I determined I would go back to school for counseling and I would have two part-time careers. I would still be following my passions but I wanted to ensure I have a practical plan should my business not garner me enough income.

It’ll boost your confidence overall.

You’ll have shown your inner critic that no matter what happens, you’ll be okay. These fears lie within you anyway, and that’s okay. Why not show them how wrong they are?

There’s nothing wrong with preparing for the worst – it’s anticipating it that’s a detriment.

Tim Ferriss, Author of the 4 Hour Work Week on ‘Pessimism as a Productivity Booster’.

photo credit: Joel Zimmer
Everything You’re Not

Everything You’re Not

genius

… is a waste of your time.

I used to think I could be anything I wanted to be. But in reality I knew that made no sense. Now I know why. You can’t be anything you want to be.

No matter how hard I try, some things I just don’t excel in. Some things come harder to me. Well, ‘who cares’?

Society has long emphasized that we focus on and improve on our weaknesses. Just think of all the heart-wrenching American underdog films that exist. There’s Rudy (the movie tagline? “When people say dreams don’t come true, tell them about Rudy”), Dodgeball (“a true underdog story”), and the yearly (monthly?) movie about a struggling baseball/football/basketball team.

Granted, it’s heartwarming when someone overcomes a lack of talent. But besides that, what’s the point? Why spend countless hours focusing on what you aren’t good at?

Why not just focus on your strengths?

You are valuable because of what you do well, what you excel in, what your talents are, not what is hard for you. Perfection is overrated and impossible.

The key to personal development is building on who you already are. There is extraordinary room for growth there.

As Dr. Martin Seligman author of Authentic Happiness notes, “you cannot be anything you want to be – but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”

Connect, Then Sell

Connect, Then Sell

connect

How can you sell to someone you don’t even know? How do you know you can help or add value to their lives when you don’t even know their problem?

Get to know your prospective client before you tell them what they need. Build a connection, understand their challenges, show that you respect them as an individual. No one appreciates being treated like a walking $ sign.

When in Doubt, Take the Next Small Step

When in Doubt, Take the Next Small Step

doubt
I made a mistake. I got ahead of myself. I temporarily forgot my purpose. I got caught up in someone else’s ideas and began ignoring my vision.

Perhaps it was a lack of self-confidence that began leading me down the path – I’d like to think it was a desire to collaborate, improve, share and help – whatever it was, along the way I stopped thinking that my voice mattered. I stopped considering what brought me joy and what felt ‘right’ and instead focused on what I thought I ‘should’ be doing. I am not infallible and I often go astray.

I am no longer involved with InnerpreneurVentures.com or Innerpreneuring.com.

“You never learn by doing something right ‘cause you already know how to do it. You only learn from making mistakes and correcting them.” – Russell Ackoff

I am now back to square one, trying to come up with ideas of how I (and others) can help spread the innerpreneur message and create value for our community.

The next small step I want to take is to create a forum here, where innerpreneurs can connect and share ideas, get advice and plan in-person meet-ups.

I’m surrounded by self-doubt, but inspired by passion. Maybe it’ll work and maybe it won’t. Either way, I’ll learn from it.

Photo credit: mnomono