A legacy of entrepreneurship and innovation
Paul and I, along with our youngest, attended a special reception at the New York Stock Exchange this week. Two years ago, he joined the executive team of a tech start-up to help them with their IPO, and they just celebrated their one-year anniversary of being a publicly traded company.
The NYSE is a place where entrepreneurship and innovation are celebrated. They know a thing or two about what it takes to be an entrepreneur. They have even published an Entrepreneur’s Roadmap.
Our host shared some words as he welcomed us and congratulated the co-founders on their entrepreneurial journey.
He acknowledged that many people can have ideas, but not all of those people are able to turn their ideas into action.
This concept is perhaps one of the most thrilling experiences of being human.
Having an idea and turning it into action.
Having a bias for action is what separates those who have ideas and those who are able to turn their ideas into action.
As you consider what is next for you in your career and life, here are 6 ways to ramp up your bias for action:
1. Stop focusing on the obstacles and focus on what you want to create.
When you put your attention on what it is you want to create, that becomes a force that pulls you forward. This is a much more powerful force than running from something. Run toward what it is you want to create.
If your attention is on the challenges and obstacles, they will necessarily seem bigger in your mind than they are. Shift your focus. Come from a place of love, not fear.
2. Put your effort into the process, and let go of the outcome.
You need a vision for where you are going, and you need to feel the pull toward what you want to create. AND the outcome is inevitably out of your control.
Put all your effort into the process, into the lead indicators, the tiny steps that you need to take every day in order to influence the outcome. Show up, put in quality reps, and wake up again tomorrow and do it again. If you haven’t yet defined your lead indicators, it is important to figure that out so you know where to focus your effort.
3. Surround yourself with the right support.
Most people don’t ever break from convention, and think you are in danger if you try, so they will try to stop you.
Surround yourself with others who are unconventional, who can call you out on your limiting beliefs, and who believe in you.
4. Remember times in your life where you have taken decisive action and bring that to your current situation.
You haven’t made it to where you are without taking action. Most high performers are both excited and scared when they are ready for their next move.
Recall times in your life where you felt the fear and took action anyway. Allow those memories to embolden you and to remind you of how powerful you already are.
5. Accept failure as part of the process.
Perfection is the enemy of action. Don’t try to get it right. Just start moving. You will learn from your failures because of your growth mindset. Let go of old stories you have around failure. It is all part of the process.
6. When you’re 70% ready, GO!
If you love to plan, strategize, and design, this is a huge strength. It can also become a huge deterrent to taking action. Even if you don’t feel 100% ready, just go. You will continue to shape and flesh out your idea along the way.
I want to know what you’re up to next. Reply to this e-mail and let me know how you are getting into action!
Love,
Audrey
