Thursday, May 13, 2010
Just. Do. Something.
This is a commercial that has really stuck with me:
In particular, this quote, I think, is brilliant:
"I get an idea to do something, I like to take the first step. If that feels good I take another step. To do good you actually have to do something."
It's such a simple concept, yet the older I get, the more it seems like this is actually one of the most difficult ideals to consistently practice. But for sure one of the most important. I know, at first you think, what are you talking about, we all are constantly doing something.
But are you?
What we are all doing is constantly going through the motions. Usually, no matter where you are working, it becomes something of a routine after you've done it for a while. Especially against the recent recession most of us have to work long hours, and even when we don't, it's hard not to feel drained at the end of the day anyway. How easy is it to turn on the tv, maybe cook some food, veg out for a while and then pass out? Or maybe grab a beer with some friends. On a good night maybe you even hit the gym.
But none of this qualifies. When I say, "do something", I mean something new. Something different. A real action on an idea. Real progress on an aspiration. It can even be something for work, but it has to be something beyond your normal scope of responsibility. Test a theory, run an analysis, and more importantly, do it because you want to do it. Do that part of work that inspires you. And if there is no part, then start doing what does inspire you. It doesn't have to be everything. Just something. Anything.
It's sad to realize the amount of time we had in high school and in college, to do ANYTHING, and yet we had so little concept of what that meant. Innovation and new product development isn't outside the reach of anyone....it's just that horrible inertia of starting some kind of substantial new project against our daily responsibilities. When we are younger we tend to just look at those older and think, one day. But all along it is just taking one step, whether you are 15 or 45. And then one more.
I consider this blog to be something. But I have 3 or 4 other pet ideas that are always floating around in my head at any given moment. All it takes is 30 minutes one night to take the first step. I best not disappoint.
In particular, this quote, I think, is brilliant:
"I get an idea to do something, I like to take the first step. If that feels good I take another step. To do good you actually have to do something."
It's such a simple concept, yet the older I get, the more it seems like this is actually one of the most difficult ideals to consistently practice. But for sure one of the most important. I know, at first you think, what are you talking about, we all are constantly doing something.
But are you?
What we are all doing is constantly going through the motions. Usually, no matter where you are working, it becomes something of a routine after you've done it for a while. Especially against the recent recession most of us have to work long hours, and even when we don't, it's hard not to feel drained at the end of the day anyway. How easy is it to turn on the tv, maybe cook some food, veg out for a while and then pass out? Or maybe grab a beer with some friends. On a good night maybe you even hit the gym.
But none of this qualifies. When I say, "do something", I mean something new. Something different. A real action on an idea. Real progress on an aspiration. It can even be something for work, but it has to be something beyond your normal scope of responsibility. Test a theory, run an analysis, and more importantly, do it because you want to do it. Do that part of work that inspires you. And if there is no part, then start doing what does inspire you. It doesn't have to be everything. Just something. Anything.
It's sad to realize the amount of time we had in high school and in college, to do ANYTHING, and yet we had so little concept of what that meant. Innovation and new product development isn't outside the reach of anyone....it's just that horrible inertia of starting some kind of substantial new project against our daily responsibilities. When we are younger we tend to just look at those older and think, one day. But all along it is just taking one step, whether you are 15 or 45. And then one more.
I consider this blog to be something. But I have 3 or 4 other pet ideas that are always floating around in my head at any given moment. All it takes is 30 minutes one night to take the first step. I best not disappoint.
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