A BIG thanks to Freshbooks – The latest sponsor for ShankMinds: Las Vegas, my one-day business and entrepreneurial conference taking place in January of 2019. You’ll level-up your business and brand in one day, with keynotes from Amanda Steinberg of Daily Worth, Sarah Evans of Sevans Strategy, and 120 of the brightest attendees in the entrepreneurial space! But seats are limited, and we’re over 50% sold out already! Don’t miss your chance! Grab your seat today, and save $100 with the code VEGAS699SM
Let’s make some mistakes!
Twenty years ago, on October 28th, 1998, I incorporated my first company. I struck out on my own as an entrepreneur, and was so sure that I was going to fail, that I didn’t give myself more than three months. In fact, I actually said to my parents, “when I fail, I’ll just get a job.” (As opposed to “if I fail.”) Twenty years later, I’m still going strong, so I thought it might be a nice way to give back by dedicating the next several emails to the worst mistakes I’ve made along my journey, with the hope that you’ll get value out of knowing what NOT to do, thanks to my having done those things already.
In the end, I’m a huge fan of mistakes. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying new things. If you’re not trying new things, you’re not growing. As one of my mottos says… “fail often!”
Today’s mistake: Not starting earlier
By far, the #1 mistake I’ve made over the years has been thinking too long about something, and not just doing it earlier. Whether it was hiring my assistant Meagan (I knew I needed an assistant, but it took my booking a non-refundable flight to the wrong city in Asia and not discovering it until I got to the airport) to bite the bullet and hire someone to help me. Imagine how much money I’d have saved (not to mention how much sanity) if I’d just done it earlier.
Yes, timing is everything, (like how the GoPro camera blew up not only because of the tech, but also because it launched the same time YouTube did, giving much more value to the device,) but chances are, if you have an idea for something, someone else is working on it as well. Do it NOW! You know the quote: A good implemented today is better than a great plan implemented next week.
Or, to put it another way:
Q: When is the best time to plant a tree?
A: 50 Years ago.
Q: When is the second-best time to plant a tree?
A: Right now.
Just go out and do it – Today!
More mistakes coming soon!
-Peter
PS: If you want to learn better ways to just go out and do it, from brilliant minds who have already done it, come to ShankMinds: Vegas in January!
