The Simple Two-Step Process

Talking with a client, we were exploring opportunities for him to grow his business. He was already successful and felt that there was more out there for him. So we started the brainstorming process, actually “brain dumping” was more like it.

We relentlessly explored opportunity after opportunity. And while we were doing this, I was pointed to a Seth Godin’s blog where I saw this little gem.

The simple two-step process

Step one: Open all doors. Learn a little about a lot. Consider as many options as possible, then add more.

Step two: Relentlessly dismiss, prune and eliminate. Choose. Ship.

The problem most people run into is that they mix the steps and confuse them. During step one, they aren’t open enough, aren’t willing enough to consider the impossible. And then, in step two, fear of shipping kicks in and they stay open too long, hold on to too many options and hesitate.

Simple doesn’t always mean easy.

How true that is eh?

There’s a sticking point for not doing each one – if you don’t do step 1, you almost always miss opportunities to make small bounds or quantum leaps. That’s a common problem today where people are too busy being successful that they don’t have time to open their eyes.

The problem with not doing step 2, is you carry too much junk with you for too long. I had this happen to me where I found myself on too many lists and was getting peddled the same “Whamo! Blamo! Instant Cure-all Magic Pill” and getting blasted 16x per day by the latest and greatest launch. This will destroy all productivity. I can’t tell you how many lists I unsubscribed from. Do yourself a favour and do the same. Keep only those that you get value from.

Look, you’re either growing or your dying. There are resting points but there is no standing still for too long. You will get crushed. So do yourself a favour, when looking at growth, consider this simple two-step process.

Blessings,