subject: Attitude - Pillar Number 1 I've Already Done It! Putting The Thought Into Action [print this page] Now we'll look at the first of five pillars for attitudinal success employed by many of the world's successful entrepreneurs: I've already done it! Putting the thought into action.
How often do you come across people who are always PLANNING to do something...or there's this great project they want to do; or they don't want to work for anyone because they've got great business ideas and just need time to get started? These are what we call in the industry, Time Wasters, people with great ideas but no guts. They are often over run by the Time Makers, the guys and girls who get up get dressed and get going to follow their dream.
In the early 1970's when the legendary Steve Jobs met fellow computer genius Steve 'Woz' Wozniac they both knew immediately they were on to something big. When faced with their first career defining opportunity to create a company and market their computer running the BASIC program suitable for home use, they did not hesitate. They each sold their most prized possessions and set up and called their company Apple. Unless you've been living under a coconut tree in the deep Amazon for the past 30 years you'll know Apple ranks as one of the most successful international brands in the world.
In a nutshell, what I'm saying here is that the high flyers understand that life offers choice; you can be one of the majority of people, an observer just watching things happen - a Time Waster or you can be a participant and make things happen for you - A Time Maker. The choice is yours to determine the direction of your life.
Are you going to live by the results you create or the excuses you concoct? I was taught in the army many years ago that, 'What the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve,' I've never looked back since! I've conceived, believed and achieved many things through a conviction based on an old Chinese proverb by Lao-tzu (c 604-c 531 BC), founder of Taoism, 'A journey of a thousand miles began with the first step'.
In my experience I've realised that most of us judge ourselves by our intentions while others are more inclined to judge us by our actions. So there's an obvious dilemma, creating that theoretical balance. It's quite simple to intend to do something but very difficult to do it. Therefore the challenge for adults is not a deficiency of intentions but dealing with a deficiency of action.
As we conclude this discourse I share something else I learned over the years which encapsulates this passage, 'The pain of regret is costly and lasts a lifetime; whereas the discomfort of discipline is rewarding and enhances your life.'
