Just Do It!

Hone Your Craft
(2 min read)

Quentin Tarantino is apparently often quoted as saying, "When people ask me if I went to film school, I tell them 'No, I went to films.'"

There are many ways to prepare yourself for life's adventures, including starting your own business:
* Rigorous formalized education
* Life lessons
* Immersing oneself into a passion
* Jumping in to Just Do It!

Overthinking
Unfortunately, we're often our own worst enemies. Self-sabotage is real and often completely unintentional, but there nonetheless. Structured education programs—college, trade school, certificate programs—aren't for everyone. Apprenticeships are common in trade schools and were more the norm years ago. These days, if you're not in a business where apprenticeships happen, you can more often find mentoring relationships to guide you.

​Sometimes jumping in and figuring things out as you go is the best way forward. As Nike says—Just Do It!

Develop a Plan
Any BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal - thank you, Jim Collins) needs broken down into steps.

As you're creating or developing your business or next big pitch, start with some brainstorming - throw all the ideas out there so you can begin gathering like ideas together. You may head for old-fashioned pen and paper, sticky notes, maybe Trello or Asana style cards work as digital sticky notes, or you're into mind mapping. 

Next step—gather like ideas together and prioritize. Which steps are needed first?

Research is likely a key step early in your process—before or just after your brainstorming. This is where Tarantino's philosophy comes into play. Sometimes the research IS your education or training. What do you need to research and how deeply? Just don't get lost in the education phase.

It's OK to Be Messy
Planning may be lovely, but sometimes you need to simply jump in and get dirty. Try some things as you go. Get into the thick of things. Figure your way out. That in itself is the education process.

In our house, we try to celebrate mistakes as noted in the film Meet the Robinsons. Every mistake is a learning opportunity as you Keep Moving Forward!

Let's Chat!
If you're looking for someone to chat strategy with, I'm here for you. Happy to be a sounding board or help you get out of your head (or your own way!). If you're looking for a partner to dig in and figure things out as we go, I'm with you! Shoot me an email or message on LinkedIn. 

But whatever you do - Just DO It!

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