Are you addicted to (talking about) success?

It’s addicting

Its fulfilling and validating to talk about success. One might say, almost addicting, yes?

Invisible

We talk about invisible things all the time. This is the thing that is above and below business. it’s the great filter of being successful. it plagues entrepreneurs and big business alike, but the former are far more susceptible.

It hearkens back a little to Stolen Validation – getting the kudos and the patting on the back before you actually do a thing.

Planning

Of course there is spreadsheets and white boards and so forth. The larger the business, the more meetings, schedules and systems you have to go through before something is accomplished. Small businesses turn on a dime; large ones do not. Typically.

As an entrepreneur, you tend to work with others a lot—peers, partners, partnerships. But what happens sometimes?

It’s really easy to get together with a peer or possible business partner and talk about what you intend to do. And then you feel really good about it. Because you’re moving closer to the—probably mutual—goal.

What if that’s all you ever do?

Then you’ll never be successful. Eventually you have to pull the trigger. People who fall into this trap are similar to people who are going to write a book, or are writing a book—for over a decade. It’s enjoyable to tell people you are writing but it takes a different mindset to actually finish it. I’m not even talking about all the steps to get to publishing—cover design, marketing, market research, genre and keyword selection on places like Amazon, editor choice—just actually finishing it.

Meetings

Do you have a meeting that occurs on a regular basis? Can you look back on them and tell me what you and your gang have actually accomplished?

Meetings are like video games and aps like Candy Crush. They give you a false sense of accomplishment. There a productivity dopamine hit that you don’t deserve.

Not getting down on people who plan, or meet regularly, or are plan-intensive. I started planning the father’s day week interviews in January, and had reach out to two of the people in the previous year. So I’m not getting down on the plan-intensive—as long as they finally have an outcome: a product, a service, etc.

Mark The Magnet

I’ve been a magnet for this kind of thing for some time. because I like to get my hands dirty as well as look at things from the 30,000 foot view, people want to engage with me to build for them. They enjoy the relationship because of all the possibilities. But, we eventually get to the point in which there has to be an investment of Time, Energy and or Resources™ on their part—and that’s when things fall apart. It’s exhausting to put a lot of effort into a connection only to have them just be there to enjoy the discussion.

What to do

What I am suggesting for you to do is look into the eyes of your peer, partner, would-be partner, group members and ask, “What are we doing here, exactly? What is the plan? When do we do the thing we are talking about and are you as invested as me?”

Look into those eyes. And sometimes those eyes you need to look into are yours, in the mirror.

Let me know if you’ve experienced this. And what you’re going to do about it. Thanks.

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