Tuesday, October 8, 2013

The mistake I couldn't afford

Almost 4 years ago...

I'm sitting at the airport.  I just missed my flight to Denver, Colorado. I am supposed to go there to learn about a new health challenge that could help eliminate obesity. I used to have a great job in high tech, but I got laid off. I decided to start working with a handful of small businesses to take care of their technology needs. I am not even making enough money to cover my expenses yet, but the business is growing and I am hopeful. Either way, I used all my points (totaling $800) on this flight and the ticket desk is telling me that it will cost another $900 to get to Denver today.

I can’t afford to spend the money...

Wait… did I just say that?

I first learned about the challenge about a month ago… and it sounds amazing. Everyone around me is overweight and I can’t think of one person who is getting healthier. If this challenge is able to turn the trend, then I could make millions. Still, I haven’t spent one second sharing it with anyone. I’m so busy trying to get my computer business off the ground.

I can’t afford to spend the time...

Oh no… I just said it again!

What is wrong with me? I have no extra money. I have no extra time. I’m sitting in an airport with a chance to go learn about something that could make me millions and give me my time back and I can’t afford it?

What if my car broke down?  What if I had a health scare that wasn't covered by insurance? I would find the money.  I have spent thousands last year on eating out, pubs, TV, movies, sporting events, computer equipment and gadgets that I didn't even need… I found the money for that.

What I’m really saying is that I can’t afford to waste time and money. If I’m going to spend my time and my money I want to make it worth it. I feel that the car, food and fun will be worth it, so I find the money. I know what to expect.

This ‘health challenge’ is an unknown. Is it going to work? Are people going to try it? 

Back to the airport... I think to myself.  In 5 years from now... if I still have no extra time and no extra money… How do I want to look back on today?  Do I want to talk about how I wasted a couple grand trying to change the world and it didn't work?  Do I want to regret not spending the couple grand for a chance at changing the world and my life?

I can live with my mistakes. I've made plenty and I've spent thousands on weekends that I barely remember… I do not want to live with regrets. I can’t afford to miss a chance to get myself out of debt.  I can't afford to miss a chance to free my time so that I don’t have to work like a slave until I’m 65 and miss my son’s life.

I spent the $900.  That $2000 dollar trip has earned me close to a quarter million in almost 4 years.

Albert Einstein once said; "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

If you have no time and no money then can you afford to be in the same position next year?  If not, then it is time to start spending your time and money differently.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Are you really "thinking about it"?

I am about 11 years old and laying out in the hot sun with some friends at the neighborhood pool. My friends decide to try the high diving board.  To impress the girls, and in the excitement of the moment, I think this is an excellent idea.  Finally, it is my turn.  As I climb the ladder, I feel it in my stomach.  Time slows down as my friends are watching in anticipation.  I walk to the end of the diving board and look down.  Wow... It looks so much higher from up here.  I walk back and take a deep breath.  I figure I need to take a minute...  It seems that the more time I take, the more terrified I get.  Finally... screw it.  I run and jump...  landing flat on my belly.  It hurt like crazy, but I did it.

Have you ever had a great idea?  You got super excited about it and started to plan it out in your head.  Then you decide to "sleep on it"...  Morning comes, doubt sets in, and the "genius" idea is much less exciting. You continue with your day and think about it later... Then you determine that it's not really a very good idea after all and scrap it. Months later, someone else has it implemented!!!

"The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that you will never actually do it". - The Law of Diminishing Intent

Just like the high diving board sounded like a great idea, the more I thought about it, the more I felt the fear.  Everyone is watching me... What if I make a fool of myself?  Let's look at another scenario.  Want to lose weight?  A friend tells you about a program that works.  You get excited at first, but the more you "think about it", you wonder... Can I stick to this plan?  What if I fail?  What happens when I stop the program?  Sound familiar?

"We intend to take action when the idea strikes us. We intend to do something when the emotion is high. But if we don't translate that intention into action fairly soon, the urgency starts to diminish. A month from now the passion is cold. A year from now it can't be found." - Jim Rohn

Do you believe that a good decision needs to be thought out completely?  It is good to know the facts... The problem is that most of us use "thinking about it" as an excuse so we can put off decisions until the excitement wears off.

“Successful people make their decisions quickly and change their minds slowly. Failures make their decisions slowly and change their minds quickly.” - Andy Andrews

Leaders often make multi-million dollar decisions with incomplete information.  They take advice from trusted partners that have knowledge in the particular field and move forward.  It is far more difficult to shake a successful person off their path than it is to get them on the path in the first place.

Are there things that you want but have not taken action on yet?  Why not?  Have you been passing up opportunities so you could "think about it"?  Is it time to change the pattern?  You already know what you want, and you likely already know how to get it.

The word "decide" comes from the Latin dēcīdere literally, to cut off.  When you truly "decide", you must cut off from other options. Trust your first instinct.  You will never really know until you try.   If you land flat on your belly, at least it will make for a great story.  If you "think about it" then you always wonder "what if" and regret the chances you didn't take.

The best decision is the right one.  The second best decision is the wrong one.  The WORST decision is no decision at all.  Make a decision, take action and do it now.