Keep moving. Do not lose momentum
Good afternoon dear reader!
Having heard some good feedback about yesterday's post Uni life, uni days. The intro, I woke up this morning and started writing the natural continuation that would cover different years at uni. Unfortunately half way through I wasn't feeling the flow anymore and decided to save it for later. I really just want to write whatever I feel like and whenever I really feel like. I really want it to be natural. What brings us to this post 👌
This afternoon I was walking my dog (her name is Princess 😊) and I got an idea for a new post. I opened my notes on my phone and wrote down the title (yes I'm taking notes about all ideas that I feel I should write about. I currently have over 56 topics to write about). I put my phone back in my pocket and continued walking Princess. few minutes later, I open my phone back and start adding some extra notes related to this post. Without even feeling it, I had the post almost ready.
Here is the post as it is. I'm just copying it from my phone, even if it's not perfect. I'm doing it for a reason. You will understand if you keep reading. Keep reading, keep moving, do not lose momentum ;)
Don't get me wrong, I don't mean you shouldn't aim for quality. But I mean who knows? You might be working on a completely useless or even unfeasible idea. What you think is a great idea might not really end up being what you have in mind. And let me give you an advice here, if you're going to fail you better fail fast and move on to the next iteration.
Fail fast, fail often, learn and change. This is what most successful startups and entrepreneurs tend to usually understand and agree on. It's all a matter of trial and error. A matter of quick iterations.
You need to keep trying and keep drawing conclusions quickly.
Whether an early stage startup or an established business, a good momentum will be crucial to you and to the success of your company. A good momentum will even be more crucial for your employees (if you want them to stay at their best).
I have worked in many startups, and I cannot tell you the number of times where "us, the employees" were either feeling completely unmotivated or the complete opposite with that fire in our bellies! That was mainly related to times where the businesses were either being indecisive and there was a feeling of stagnation, or when businesses on the other hand were full on with A/B testing and moving things quickly and taking the right* decisions as soon as possible (for those of you interested in learning more about A/B testing, I will be writing about the topic).
* it's not always possible to know what is right. It also happens that the right decision has been taken but that in another context and another timing it isn't the best choice anymore (lots if things could change. Markets could change, businesses themselves could change. Customers could change. There's just so many variables in place).
When we talk about quick iterations, it usually applies to all types of decisions. Even those where times are wasted on deciding so hard to pick the perfect color for that new website, or choosing that catchy name for that new company. Let me tell you one thing: WHO CARES?!
You might find out that no one even notices that small design change or that name with an "R" at the end or without.
Just get it out there and you'll have time to improve on it. If anything you might even rely on feedback and get to see things in a complete different way. Actually that's one of the best things that you could do. For example If you're building something for your customers, let your customers choose. Give them some power, let them feel that they're part of something and this is how they'll become your most loyal fans. Listen to them, listen to their feedback, listen to their ideas and tell them; tell them that you did. Show them how you changed things for them. They will become your biggest evangelists!
I believe if you're applying this strategy, you're winning at the game of life!
Yes life. Cause all that my dear friend is also applicable to the decisions that you take in your day to day life.
Hope you enjoyed this post!
Please let me know your thoughts. Do you mostly agree, disagree, or are you somewhat in the middle?
Keep moving & until the next one ✌
N.B:
Before starting this blog, I was a bit confused as to what blogging platform I should use. I made some google search and started reading about the differences between wordpress, blogger and some others. Do I want it to be self hosted or not? Do I want it to be Java based or whatever other language?
Well you know what? Who cares?
I ended up just picking one quickly and started with what's of most value to me and to you: writing! When the time come,s and if I need to, I can change platforms. For now that's more than perfect.
Having heard some good feedback about yesterday's post Uni life, uni days. The intro, I woke up this morning and started writing the natural continuation that would cover different years at uni. Unfortunately half way through I wasn't feeling the flow anymore and decided to save it for later. I really just want to write whatever I feel like and whenever I really feel like. I really want it to be natural. What brings us to this post 👌
This afternoon I was walking my dog (her name is Princess 😊) and I got an idea for a new post. I opened my notes on my phone and wrote down the title (yes I'm taking notes about all ideas that I feel I should write about. I currently have over 56 topics to write about). I put my phone back in my pocket and continued walking Princess. few minutes later, I open my phone back and start adding some extra notes related to this post. Without even feeling it, I had the post almost ready.
 |
| me walking Princess. I must say it's an inspiring view! |
Here is the post as it is. I'm just copying it from my phone, even if it's not perfect. I'm doing it for a reason. You will understand if you keep reading. Keep reading, keep moving, do not lose momentum ;)
Getting to the heart of the subject:
Keep moving. Do not lose time, do not lose momentum. What I mean here is do not get lost in the smallest details. You just need to get going. Don't give yourself excuses to delay things. Don't try to be a perfectionist from the beginning.Don't get me wrong, I don't mean you shouldn't aim for quality. But I mean who knows? You might be working on a completely useless or even unfeasible idea. What you think is a great idea might not really end up being what you have in mind. And let me give you an advice here, if you're going to fail you better fail fast and move on to the next iteration.
Fail fast, fail often, learn and change. This is what most successful startups and entrepreneurs tend to usually understand and agree on. It's all a matter of trial and error. A matter of quick iterations.
You need to keep trying and keep drawing conclusions quickly.
Whether an early stage startup or an established business, a good momentum will be crucial to you and to the success of your company. A good momentum will even be more crucial for your employees (if you want them to stay at their best).
I have worked in many startups, and I cannot tell you the number of times where "us, the employees" were either feeling completely unmotivated or the complete opposite with that fire in our bellies! That was mainly related to times where the businesses were either being indecisive and there was a feeling of stagnation, or when businesses on the other hand were full on with A/B testing and moving things quickly and taking the right* decisions as soon as possible (for those of you interested in learning more about A/B testing, I will be writing about the topic).
* it's not always possible to know what is right. It also happens that the right decision has been taken but that in another context and another timing it isn't the best choice anymore (lots if things could change. Markets could change, businesses themselves could change. Customers could change. There's just so many variables in place).
When we talk about quick iterations, it usually applies to all types of decisions. Even those where times are wasted on deciding so hard to pick the perfect color for that new website, or choosing that catchy name for that new company. Let me tell you one thing: WHO CARES?!
You might find out that no one even notices that small design change or that name with an "R" at the end or without.
Just get it out there and you'll have time to improve on it. If anything you might even rely on feedback and get to see things in a complete different way. Actually that's one of the best things that you could do. For example If you're building something for your customers, let your customers choose. Give them some power, let them feel that they're part of something and this is how they'll become your most loyal fans. Listen to them, listen to their feedback, listen to their ideas and tell them; tell them that you did. Show them how you changed things for them. They will become your biggest evangelists!
I believe if you're applying this strategy, you're winning at the game of life!
Yes life. Cause all that my dear friend is also applicable to the decisions that you take in your day to day life.
Hope you enjoyed this post!
Please let me know your thoughts. Do you mostly agree, disagree, or are you somewhat in the middle?
Keep moving & until the next one ✌
N.B:
Before starting this blog, I was a bit confused as to what blogging platform I should use. I made some google search and started reading about the differences between wordpress, blogger and some others. Do I want it to be self hosted or not? Do I want it to be Java based or whatever other language?
Well you know what? Who cares?
I ended up just picking one quickly and started with what's of most value to me and to you: writing! When the time come,s and if I need to, I can change platforms. For now that's more than perfect.
Fail fast, fail often, learn and change. The best way to learn, get motivated and move forward is to fail.
ReplyDelete100% my friend! Fail now so that you can succeed later.
DeleteTotally agree Jad. It's better to try and fail (until you succeed), than to keep delaying to start or even not starting at all. The feedback point is a very good one too. After all, your customers are the ones you build your idea for, so their say is probably the most important. Nice one Jad, well put together!
ReplyDeleteIndeed Ritesh! Try and fail until you succeed! The problem with most people is how they look at success, thinking that all successes happened overnight or even that they just happened without any previous failures. Most successful entrepreneurs fail so many times before making any success. Most importantly those failures are all lessons to be used when the time of success comes.
DeleteAbout feedback I will definitely write in more details about it. I'll write about A/B testing as well.
Great to see the messages are being received easily!
« Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm » Winston Churchill
ReplyDelete« Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up » - « I have not failed. I have just found a 1,000 ways that won’t work » Thomas Edison
« Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new » Albert Einstein
Lots of great people saw the idea of failing the same way you are describing in the post.
I totally agree too, I think it take some time to accept the concept of failures without regrets. My own experiences and the multiple failures and successes (if I can say so) that came in row later years though me to act fast adjust adapt quickly and maybe not give give much importance to details knowing that thing will change fast, also.
I think it’s also linked to the dedication and passion one puts in a thing, the more you’re driven the more you have the ability to overcome obstacles.
Thanks for sharing the ideas, great post! Made me think, as always!
Amazing, I loved this one "I have not failed. I have just found a 1,000 ways that won’t work"! I will remember it for sure!
DeleteI love Einstein's as well. Thanks for sharing Rani!
Regarding dedication, I could not agree more! The drive you have in you definitely helps you immensely in overcoming your obstacles.
Great to see it made you think, I'm loving how it's making us all think and how we're having these little discussions!
BTW think about if you'd like to write about your failures and successes that you mentioned. I myself will be sharing some of my success and failures for sure (and the lessons learned from every failure for sure!).