Doing it: The act of taking a project across the finish line.
It’s the most difficult task you will ever accomplish in business.
It’s not because of your own knowledge, skills and abilities; not by a long shot. You know what you are capable of and, while you may push the envelope, you know in your heart and mind that you can finish what you start.
No, the problem is the people around you. The people you love and trust the most will most likely also be the biggest naysayers in your life. It sounds crazy, but it’s the truth and you know it.
So next time a trusted friend or business associate is running something by you, try listening with different ears. Listen for all that is good about the project. Help them focus on the project strengths from your perspective.
Remember, your internal desire for self preservation pretty much dictates you only take on projects you can finish. Does that mean the project will be a financial success? Heck no, but if you give it your all and focus on the strengths of the project, when you are done you will have learned a great deal at the bare minimum. You will also have built something that can be expanded upon and made better next time around. Remember the Apple Lisa?
Doing it requires a great deal of internal drive and motivation. However, even the most motivated lose faith sometimes. Offer an encouraging word. Tell them you know they can do it and it will work. Tell them about the parts of the project that look awesome. Trust me, they already know which parts suck.
Your last sentence hits home for me. Getting out on my own in the next 2 months seems rather daunting, but I have been surrounded by people recently that have made sure to point out all of the reasons I will do well and prosper and even exceed expectations. They already understand the concept that I “already know which parts suck.” I am grateful for those people and have been committed to pointing out “awesome” with myself and those around me. All too often we focus on what’s needs to be “fixed” (what we aren’t good at) instead of what we are awesome at and finding people who can fill those gaps for us. The older I get, the more I understand that if those around me succeed, and I can help, I will only succeed all the more.
Finding what you are awesome at normally means finding something you’ll love doing the rest of your life as well 🙂
Reading this made me really feel guilty of all the times I thought I was helping and did not really support a few of my friends. I think this thought provoking post will make me change my train of thought.
Playing devil’s advocate especially in the first stages of the project can be detrimental and your post just made me realize it.
The early stages of a project are like a brainstorming session. No judgement just ideas. Lots and lots of ideas.