Not so fast, Jerry Maguire.
1.    Chatter is the cheeky culprit of failure. There’s a classic country tune by Toby Keith called “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action.” Here’s how it goes: “I was getting kinda tired of her endless chatter. Nothing I could say ever seemed to matter. So let's get on down to the main attraction. With a little less talk and a lot more action.” Know anybody like that? Are YOU like that? All lip service and no foot service? I hope not. Chatter accomplishes nothing. Trust only movement. Are you talking or walking?
3.    Error is the untapped wellspring of wisdom. Mistake is the mentor of man. If you’re not screwing up, you’re screwing up. In fact, every morning I spend a few minutes journaling lessons learned from yesterday’s mistakes. Been doing it for years. I suggest you try it for a week. It’s a humbling form of reflection. Plus it makes you smarter quicker. Remember: We learn not from our experiences, but from intelligent reflection upon those experiences. What will your mistakes teach you this week?
4.    Focus is the solitary suggestor of success. Spraying is the enemy. Focus is mobilizing. Therefore: Take your index finger, cover up the tip of the hose, and shoot out a frozen rope of focused effort. Otherwise you’ll spread yourself too thin, the result of which will be a diffusion of energy investment. This is not good. Your challenge is to constantly ask yourself questions like: “Is what I’m doing RIGHT NOW consistent with my #1 goal?” and “What consuming my time but doesn’t make me any money?” Remember: William James was right when he said, “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.” How much time are you spending on things that diffuse your focus and hamper your goals?
5.    Inexperience is the immediate disqualifier of credibility. Not age, but inexperience. Two different things. So, if you’re young in age and concerned about your credibility, search your life for the relevant experience you DO have. Then reflect upon the lessons learned FROM those experiences, and how those ideas inform your ability to excel in your current role. Who would give their right arm to acquire the valuable expertise you now realize you possess?
7.    Ceaselessness is the common constitution of champions. If you dissect the demeanor of any great champ of sports, music or business – famous or not – here’s what you will discover. Each individual, from an early age, had something that they never stopped doing: Free throws. Scales. Self-promotion. Whatever. That’s the definition of “ceaseless.” Without stop or pause. Unending. Incessant. What are you prepared to never stop doing?
REMEMBER: Before you take the plunge and go out on your own, just be sure you know what you’re up against.
Become a master of these seven truths and you’ll be on your way to making a name for yourselfLET ME ASK YA THIS…
What truths do you need to master?
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