Read This If You Need Strong Monday Focus
This is a sneaky one because almost everyone does it.
Choose the right domain name.Design the right logo.Develop the 5 year business plan.
Get all your ducks in a row.
And that’s exactly the problem.While most of us are out there “thinking through” the problem, our competitors are already done with version 1 of the prototype and getting feedback from customers.It’s so easy to get caught up in the easy stuff because it feels like it matters. It’s much more difficult to ask yourself: “what’s the hard part of my project?”If your project doesn’t have a hard part then you don’t have a project—it’s probably a hobby or dead end.Steve Blank used to say (and I guess he probably still does say) “Get out of the building and talk to customers.”
No matter what your problem is, the people you’re solving it for know the answer.
Example:
Need better sales copy?Go read some of your customer reviews and testimonials.That’s way faster, easier, and cheaper than taking a course on copywriting and reading the top 5 books about sales strategy.
You don’t need to optimize, yet. You need to start.
The time you’re spending making it perfect is the time you could have spent getting the traction you need to then have the opportunity to have something to optimize.You know that little yellow “buy” button on Amazon’s website?You better believe that they spent a LOT of time and energy optimizing it. And they should, because they have a bazillion customers.If you don’t have a bazillion customers, you’re killing yourself by focusing on the wrong work!
2 Minute Action:
What’s the thing you’ve been dreading doing? Do that first.What’s the feedback cycle you’re getting on your work? Could it be more frequent or more actionable? Ask your supervisor or colleague, today.Give yourself permission to have an ugly, embarrassing website (or none at all!) and re-center your focus on the hard stuff.The discipline early on is going to pay dividends later.It’s Monday, people. Let’s start this week off strong.
A Fast Way To Ensure You Lose Your Team
“You’re not acting like you want to be here!”“We’re leaving right now!”“Well then get your act together and let’s go!”I unplugged my headphones and listened more closely.I was running in the park and overheard a mom yelling at her daughter.Her daughter was obviously exhausted and had no interest in continuing on, yet Mom demanded that she keep running and keep up.Let me first say: I am NOT a parent and this is not about judging people.The reminder that I experienced in this moment, though, was about something related to this outrage.There are a lot of similarities between parenting and managing, so stick with me here for a sec.If you need to tell, demand, or bully someone to get your way or make your point: you’re a jerk.Thats it.Steve Jobs is one—but I talk about him all the timeJeff Bezos is another one, for installing the ruthless, cut-throat culture at Amazon.What is success if it means hurting the people on whose backs your project is built?You have to make your own ethical decision of whether or not the ends justify the means.Just consider how much more productive happy and fulfilled people are. Consider the reduction in turnover. Consider the extra hours they’ll gladly stay because they believe in something.
2 Minute Action:
Recognize someone right now.It can be in person (always better), or by text/phone.Be specific.“Great job” and “atta boys” will not be effective.Example of specific:“Bill, when you responded to Susie in that meeting by saying you’ll stand by the suppliers, I just wanted to high give you from across the table. It’s that kind of response that really encapsulates our company values and moves the needle on sales. Really proud of you.”People who are happy, fulfilled, and recognized will fight by your side to the death.You can’t buy that—you can only coach it.