"To-Go Thinking"

I read Amy Wilkinson's The Creator's Code: The Six Essential Skills of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs. Unlike Lewis Schiff in Business Brilliant (who I wrote about in my last two posts, here and here), she focuses on six distinct characteristics that all of the interviewed super-successful entrepreneurs shared.

One of them is what she calls "drive for daylight." They know how to remain super-focused on the horizon and the end goal and not get distracted from this. Part of this is "to-go thinking," focusing on what is yet to be done as opposed to what has already been done.

She mentions a few interesting studies where one group was told what they had accomplished, while the other what they had left to accomplish. In each of these studies, the latter group got more done. By hearing what is left to do, it leaves us feeling motivated to get it done more quickly; while hearing what has been done leaves us more complacent. This apparently even works for fundraising: one of the examples she cited compared mentioning the amount of money raised versus what was left to be raised; the latter was more effective.

Since many of us are juggling various responsibilities and perhaps are even building their business on the side, as I am, it is easy to get distracted and even overwhelmed by everything left to get done. I have to remind myself often that I believe in my idea and can do it. It's easier with YourMBR than my last idea since I truly enjoy this concept and believe in its value, but that does not make the juggling or self-doubt any easier. And there is never a perfect time to start either, if that's what's holding you back.

My family has been great and are all behind my idea, so we often talk about it. A phrase I have said too often is "if I do this right." My 14-year-old son's comment, when I said this on Saturday, echoes what Amy Wilkinson wrote. His words to me: "Mommy, you have to stop thinking that way because you're only scaring yourself by thinking how it's all on you." From the mouth of not-so babes.

So starting now, "to-go thinking" and visualizing my success is what I will strive for while I drive for the daylight.

Have you had trouble with this? What's helped you move beyond?