Have you ever noticed that some weeks just seem to have themes? For example, you will hear a radio show or a podcast, read an article, or receive a call from a friend; and you will start to notice a theme to the messages you’re hearing. It’s just interesting how that sometimes happens.
Well, this week, the theme that has emerged for me is “Getting Started”.
I would like to tell you that when I started down the path of my business, I had everything planned to perfection; and then I executed and, magically, a successful business emerged.
Uh…NO. It didn’t happen that way.
The fact is, at the very beginning, I simply had an idea. I was not an expert in this idea, not at that point. I simply had an idea, passion, and some knowledge of the concept of finding and using one’s strengths. That’s it.
But you know what? I took a deep breath, got the best advice I could find on the subject, and just STARTED. If you have followed me the last couple of years, you will know that as I have tried new things – podcasting, video, website – sometimes they were, well, imperfect. I recently posted an interview with half my face cut off! What was important was the content, so I put it out there.
The fact is, I just START. I start with something good but not perfect, and I tweak from there. And if you do this day after day, year after year, you will be surprised at how far you've progressed.
You may look at great leaders and think,
“There’s no way I could do what they do.”
And you’re right.
In fact, THEY couldn’t do what they do, either,
when they first started.
So how do you start something? Let’s take the “Getting Started Test”. We’ll use the analogy of a car here.
1. Do you have a license?
You don’t have to be an expert driver, but you do have to know the basic rules of the road and have a certain amount of experience behind the wheel. If you don’t, people will know it immediately. You’ll be like one of those drivers going the wrong way with everyone honking at you. They will go to extremes to avoid you. In a business today, you must have the strengths, skills, and experience to back up your product or service.
2. Do you have a car?
Most of us did not start out with a Mercedes or a Corvette. Most of us started out with something that required a good roll of duct tape to be kept on hand. Our first car certainly wasn’t perfect, but it was cheap and reliable transportation. You have an idea. You need a vehicle to take it from Point A to Point B. Get something cheap and reliable to get started – that and a good roll of duct tape.
3. Where are your keys?
We all know that panicked feeling of not being able to find our keys because, without them, the car will not start. In fact, we can’t even get into the car. A business won’t run without keys, either. For me, those keys were Dan Miller’s coaching and Kevin Miller’s Free Agent Academy. The work of these men helped me identify and then hone my skills in the area of using strengths in leadership. I am also a big fan of John Maxwell’s teachings on leadership. These are some of the keys on my key ring.
4. Do you have tires?
What are tires for? Well, they provide support so your vehicle isn’t sitting on the ground. And they provide a means for movement. In business, you will need a support system, the kind that helps you move forward.
5. Do you have spark plugs, batteries, and fuel?
Now, I’m no car expert, but I do know that you have to have something to ignite your engine and to keep it charged. Identify those people and things in your life that spark your imagination and that give you the energy to keep moving.
6. Is your transmission working?
It’s one thing to start a car and another to get it into motion. You’ll need this thing called a transmission. Transmission is an interesting word that, translated from its roots, means “send across, send off”. You put your car into drive, and the transmission takes that message and moves your car forward. So what will you use to send your message across and get your business moving?
7. Do your accelerator and brakes work?
Some people think that we New Yorkers only have accelerators on our cars. But the fact is, we do have brakes. In business, as in life, you sometimes have to speed up; and sometimes, it’s just as important to slow down, or even stop for a bit. You get started, and then you adjust your momentum with intervals of acceleration and braking.
8. Do you have a steering wheel?
A car without a steering wheel would be dangerous. It also would only allow us to go in one direction all the time. The fact is, we need the steering wheel to go in the right direction, adjust course, and get to the proper destination. Steering a car requires constant adjustment. You should never take your hands off the wheel. The same applies to business. You’ll need to keep your hands on the wheel and adjust course constantly.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the perfect plan for your business. Just do what the rest of us have done and “get started”. You’ll see more of the road as you progress – you just can’t see it all right now.
If you are seeking to start your business,
I urge you to join us at www.FreeAgentAcademy.com.
And while you’re there, check out the details for the September 9-11 Accelerator Event in beautiful Woodland Park, Colorado. I will be speaking there, along with my fellow Free Agent Academy professors. If you need a quick start for your business, that’s the best way I know to get one. I hope you’ll join us!
Want to know where My Wired Style started?
Check out this interview with my mentor and coach, Dan Miller
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