Why Your Mom Doesn’t Matter

There’s something I’ve noticed about many of the successful people around me in my life.Sure, they work hard.Sure, there are late nights.Sure, they earned a lot.And sure, they are reaping the benefits of these sacrifices.

But here’s the thing: they did something that mattered.

They built something that added value to others.Whether they were building for a customer or creating an experience for an attendee at an event, they made something that was “worth it.”If a computer is worth $501 to you, based on what you want to do—but it only costs $499, you should buy it! It’s a deal!

If you only create $1 worth of value for a million people, you’ve created a million dollars of value in the market.

The point here is to be sure that what you’re doing is useful and meaningful.If no one cares, it had better matter to you.Better to find out from the horse’s mouth than to spend the time creating something that doesn’t mean anything to anyone else.

How can you be sure that what you’re creating or doing has value?

One way to measure is on the axis of dollars.If someone is willing to pay you for your product or service, you know the market values your work.If someone is willing to give you their time or other resources, they are usually valuing the potential of what you have to offer.

2 Minute Action:

So test it.Put your idea out there and see what people are ACTUALLY paying for it.Dont ask your mom  she’s not your market. Her feedback isn’t helpful, it’s distractingJust ask someone for money, time, or a favor.If you get enough people saying “yes,” you’ll have the market validation you need to move forward.Make a phone call right now.Pitch your idea to a friend and ask them to pay right now.When they say “no,” you’ll know that’s because it’s not a no brainer purchase for a friend.You learned.Try again.

A Simple Trick To Creating A New Habit

It has to be everyday.It has to be small enough to achieve.It has to be aligned with your mission.Okay, stop. You’ve heard all of this, yet everyone thinks THEY are the exception.The weird thing is that, sure, these principles are subject to change—but only after you start having success.You need small wins to build the confidence and momentum to crush bigger and bigger goals.Drip. Drip. Drip.

2 Minute Action:

What daily habits do you have?Can you attach a two minute habit to one of these?Anchoring a habit on another can be powerful.The only caveat is that it needs to be actionable and small.You’re rarely going to feel like doing it. That’s the point.

What Is Version 1 and Why Does It Matter?

There’s something weird that happens when you start.It doesn’t have to make sense or be what you planned.

You don’t even have to have a plan at all.

All that matters is that you build something, measure results, and learn something from them.The value of this cycle only kicks in when you have a hypothesis about what went wrong with what you built, and you begin the next building phase just a little bit smarter.

Build, measure, learn.

In that order.Most people can get behind this idea but somehow still find themselves too afraid or unable to start.It’s not about building what you have in your mind.It’s about building SOMEthing.If you’re not embarrassed by who you were 6 months ago, you’re not learning fast enough.

The world is out there, turning.

Your pace is up to you.Maybe you don’t have a million dollar software startup that recommends music playlists to people on the first day.But if you called a friend and asked them what music they liked, and then made a suggestion, you’d be beating someone who is still fussing around with what programming language to start with.The only thing you need to have a business is a paying customer.The only thing you need to do is start adding value.The only thing you need to do is start!

2 Minute Action:

What are you waiting for permission to do?Are you waiting for someone else to pick you?Could you just make a phone call?Could you just apply?Could you just direct message a few people?Could you pilot your idea with a prototype instead of going to a fancy printer?Could you do a wireframe or a mock-up, first?Can you draw it on a napkin or notebook?These are all small “version 1” iterations that can help you build momentum to move you forward with confidence.I can only help ask the questions you can ask yourself later.Your action is up to you.