Stop Thinking Start Doing

You can study for all the MBAs and post-graduate qualifications in the world.
But if you want to know what separates the guys who run things from the people who don’t, I’ll tell you.
It’s one simple question – What’s best for me?
The people who make it to the top, never ask that question.
And the people who get passed over for promotion always ask it.
As you move through your life, your business or just your career, there’ll be times where you need to give a little more.
A little more time.
A little more effort.
A little more je ne sais quoi (the person who asks you may well be French).
Alternatively, you might just spot that something needs to, or should be done.
So you ask yourself that question.
Weigh things up in your mind.
Run through the caveats.
You hesitate.
Meanwhile, someone else has picked it up and run with it.
And although the problem has been solved, or the issue averted, people remember that moment of hesitation.
The can’t-do attitude.
Your mercenary decision-making process.
See it from a different point of view.
Grasping a challenge, a task, an opportunity, shows energy and enthusiasm.
It demonstrates the kind of commitment that anyone who controls the bottom line is looking for.
Let me give you a quick example from today.
Yesterday I had an early client meeting in town.
Then a pitch in a different part of town at 12.30.
My next meeting was at 4.30, in town.
I could have given myself an easy ride.
Nice leisurely lunch, make a few calls, stroll to my meeting.
No.
Instead I made the hour-long journey back to the office in Kingston.
All because there was a catch-up meeting for a pitch that was going out the door at 5pm.
As soon as the meeting was over, I had to head out the door for the hour-long journey to my next meeting.
So… was it good for me.
Of course not.
Was it right for the other people involved?
Absolutely.
If you're reading this blog thinking I'm a mug, then you’re probably happy with your job.
But don’t feel too good about it – that’s what you’ve got instead of the career you could be having.
But, if you’re reading this thinking "that's what I would have done", look me up on LinkedIn. You never know where it could lead.
Chances are, there’ll be some travel involved.