“Do it poorly.”
I heard this phrase and my knee-jerk reaction was, “That is a terrible idea!” After all, how could “doing it poorly” facilitate growth? I need to be at my best at all times; putting forth my best effort.
Then, I started thinking about what holds me back from achieving my goals?
- Growing my business to transform lives and leave a legacy
- Writing a book
- Being debt-free
- Generating a consistent 11 to 14% business profit
- Having a strong financial net worth
- Being physically healthy and fit
- Having strong systems that run your practice
- Working on your business vs. in your business
What, exactly, is standing in the way of achieving these goals?
- Is it fear?
- Is it doubt?
- Is it a lack of resources?
- Is it a lack of time?
- Is it a lack of knowledge?
- Is it a negative self narrative?
- Is it exhaustion?
- Is it lack of discipline and prioritization?
- Is it apathy?
- Is it perfectionism?
Whoa – stop right there. Perfectionism. Could that be it? Could a desire to do everything with perfection be holding me back from achieving my goals? Or at least, could it be slowing me down? I had to admit – in reality – this is true.
When I start something new, I am not good at it. Actually, I’m pretty bad at it. Comparing myself to people who actually have a proficiency at whatever skill or task I am attempting to undertake – it is obvious I have a long way to go in those early stages – and my quality of output is poor.
However, with consistency, repetition, and help, I begin to get better. I begin to see results and momentum starts to build.
G.K. Chesterton said, “If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.”
Wait. What?
If something is important to you, or worth doing, you need to do it – even if initial attempts are discouraging. If the outcome or the habit will change the trajectory of your life – even if it is only a few degrees at a time – DO IT!
Yes you will fall down, and fall down again. Keep doing it anyway. Chesterton did not suggest that you keep doing whatever it is badly forever – but wants us to understand that we all start poorly! So just do it! Even if you feel like you are awful. Even if you feel you are a fraud.
- Make the activity a habit
- Remember, a good artist does not wait for creative inspiration. Rather he schedules time to consistently work at his craft.
- Ask for help
- Create goals that are small, and create momentum
- Focus on the start – and just do it!
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