I read an interesting post over at 6aliens.com which talked about thinking big and starting small, I commented as usual offering a different slant to the post, Ben replied and said something which kind of inspired this post, he said I am in fast forward. It does feel like that sometimes, taking the same steps as everyone else just at a quicker pace, but this can raise some serious problems;
- Hare v Tortoise
We all know this analogy, but I’m an advocate for doing things at full throttle, but I’m also very vocal about the fact this has it’s disadvantages, everyone is going to the same place, but some will get there later, some may not even make it at all and that’s all down to pace. Now for me I have always been full on which has worked for me, but on the same side of the coin it has restricted me sometimes.
The problem I have with taking it slower (and again this is just the way I think) is it gives people the excuse to not do things, by saying to people you need to do it slowly to make sure your business or website has a solid foundation can be great advice, but it also gives people a get out clause if they feel a bit tired or just don’t feel like doing anything to further their venture.
- Move a mountain
I have heard this term a lot recently and it’s a great way to think, you can achieve anything and it’s something I’m totally on board with. The thing I think is the wrong way to look at it is ‘take a spoon and starting digging little chunks at a time’ Now for me if someone actually said to me move that mountain, I would be like OK I need explosives, a wrecking ball, a digger and whilst all that was knocking the mountain down I would still be on my knees digging it out with my bare hands.
Do you see my point? Having inspirational posts and quotes like this is a good thing to surround yourself with, but don’t fall into the trap of little bits at a time. In terms of your site you could relate this to only producing 3 new posts on your site for the week instead of 7 or 14. You could only comment on 5 sites a day instead of 20 because something is better than nothing right?
Well yes something is better than nothing, but why stop at something? I’m a big believer in getting stuck in; ”Get in the mixer” and start lighting some fires, make sure people see you and say ”Dude you are everywhere!” Be the person who people talk about for being the amazingly passionate one.
Let’s put it another way, would you buy a TV from a scruffy kid in a store who clearly had no interest in his job and was counting the hours till home time, or would you buy it from the uber geek who loved his job who you could quite clearly see doing everything he physically could to help people?
- Caveat
I’m not saying you have to go out there and work till you fall asleep on your computer and I’m not saying lock your self in the office until you have made it, what I am saying is if you want readers to your site of visitors to your business then you need to put the hours in, roll your sleeves up and get to it.
This site is 4 months old and within a month will be monetized and will provide me with an income, you don’t have to wait 2 year to get your following up or to have the right foundations. If I was to say to you right now if you can go 6 months with a few hours less sleep and a few hours less social time, but at the end it will have realised your dreams, would you do it? Or would you wait 2 years to achieve the same result?
I honestly think it can be done quickly, no one thought I would be able to get this site off the ground never mind in a position to be popular but after 4 months it has over 6,200 comments. Now onto the next level which will realise my dream of working from home.
So ready to grab a spoon or want that box of dynamite?
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“Mostly” agree with this post. While I’m a firm believer in maximum effort, I’ve learned the value of not overworking yourself. It’s important to know how much you can get done in week, then make 100% sure you achieve this goal.
But with that being said, I’ve always been one to try to improve yourself a little bit each week. For instance, at first I was posting 5 articles a week. Then 7. Now I’m at 8 with 1 guest post each week. Pretty soon, I hope to reach 10. I try to produce a little bit of extra results with the time I allot myself for my blog.
However, I do 100% agree that many people will use the “move slowly” advice as an excuse to slack off. Push yourself as hard as you can, don’t make excuses, but also temperate this with a little bit of relaxation from time to time. (Just my .2 cents)
.-= Steve Scott Site´s last blog ..How to Lose a Girl in 14 Months =-.
hey steve that’s what I’m saying really by increasing the pace which is what you are doing it’s going to get you results a lot quicker.
Power brother, put the foot down and go for it
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
Gotcha. Then, I’m definitely all for that. The faster you move and produce results, the quicker you get to enjoy the good stuff.
.-= Steve Scott Site´s last blog ..What Effort Looks Like =-.
James there’s two things I want to say here before I forget completely.
1) I want that box of dynamite! Love that line at the end there! Love it!
2) Along with what you’re saying in this post and especially with you doing videos now I think that your videos are taking the next hit to your site. What I mean is this. You say you just go for it and go for it big time and learn as you go and if you fall down, the momentum you have allows you to get right back up there and keep going.
You may not agree and others may also not agree with me but I think that your videos are killer compared to your writing on the site now.
Don’t get me wrong, I love reading your posts. I just think that as fast as you’ve gone with this site and in how you do things and how you write, your writing is the spoon now compared to your videos and how you are on them. They’re killer!
Your videos are your dynamite and will continue to be as the future progresses.
Great job on this site, on your writings, on your videos, on your work ethic and on being YOU. Keep at it… We’re right along with you brother!
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Build Your Blog With Fire In Mind =-.
Hey brother I had to read this a couple of times before I realised this was a compliment lol.
Thanks man glad you like the videos
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
James,
Sorry for the confusion.
And…
You’re welcome!
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Build Your Blog With Fire In Mind =-.
Hey buddy
Thanks for the mention.
As I said in my comment on my post – you do this kind of stuff in fast forward. You take lots of little steps but leave no time to reflect or get cold feet. That can be a good think.
I completely get what you’re saying about taking little steps opens you up to making excuses for not doing more and potentially holding back. I think though that if you’re going to make excuses when taking it slow then you’re probably also the sort of person who will make excuses when taking it at full attack. That’s more about not taking personal responsibility for your actions and your success.
I think that some people are daunted by the size of the task some times. It’s not that they don’t want to do it, it’s more that they are sure where or how to start. That’s where you trusty spoon comes in. That’s the time where small steps analogy comes in.
You’re a great resource James for all those spoon carriers out there. You’re the inspiration that keeps people going back with their spoons. You’re the Muhammad Ali to our amateur boxer status. Keep being an inspiration matey.
.-= Ben´s last blog ..7 tips for better presentations – a video post! =-.
Hey brother,
Yeah man I totally get that, for me though that’s the point of getting stuck in straight away, don’t let the fear set in and before you know it you’re already doing it.
I do understand that this won’t work for some, but the head down and go for it type approach can work if you have never tried it before
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
I think there are two sides to the coin with the Hare vs Tortoise analogy.
Successful Hare:
Just goes for it, building on a good foundation. Very focused.
Unsuccessful Hare:
Goes for it and then burns out, pursues new project full throttle (rinse repeat). Doesn’t spend enough time learning and educating self – if manages to build anything on rocky foundation.
Successful Tortoise:
Prepares, takes consistent action towards goal (key word being consistent). Always moving forward.
Unsuccessful Tortoise:
Stuck in the “ready aim, ready aim” mentality – never firing. Often to making progress at all – but boy, have they read a lot about what they are trying to do.
The common thread with a person and success is consistent action. A “successful hare” may experience success sooner than a “successful tortoise”. A consistent “successful tortoise” may overtake a “successful hare” further down the track, like the fable.
Each person and circumstance is different.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Mar 4, Time Management Tips: Free How To Manage Time Lessons =-.
Hey Michelle, I love the ready aim quote. You are right this won’t work for everyone, but unless you give it a go how will you ever know which type you are.
People have been telling me to be careful about burnout for months now and while I understand their concerns for me (and this is just for me) keeping the momentum up stops burnout.
Everyone is different and hopefully I got that point across on the video
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
Nice and unique. I wudn’t have any other opinion then yours.
.-= Nishant´s last blog ..Strategy for new blogs – starting from scratch! =-.
Remember it’s just my way of doing it, it’s not always the right way, it just works for me, thanks for the comment
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
Hi James,
Correct me if I am wrong but aren’t the hare and tortoise both going full throttle?
The only thing you have to be is honest with yourself so that you don’t fall into a trap of making excuses and procrastination.
Adrian
.-= Adrian Swinscoe´s last blog ..Increase Your Profits by “Pruning” Your Business =-.
Hi Adrian,
Yep I agree they are both going full throttle for themselves, the point I was trying to make is that as long as you go full on for your type of character then you are going to get their quicker, in my opinion.
Great point about being honest and not talking about it too much
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
I was taught to swim by being thrown in. I didn’t want to drown so I peddled my ass off and made it to my destination. Sure I was worn out but by gosh I made it. — I don’t know how to do all this, but I don’t know any other way to approach it either. Give me an A-Bomb! Achievers acheive by pursuing it with ALL they got.
@Adrian thanks, guess I wasn’t listening or heard it said that way, but so true about the tortise and hare moving the same speed.
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Frolicking Friday ~/~ Let’s Romp (visit and follow on twitter/facebook) =-.
brother we are one in the same dude!
The sense of achievement you get when you blast it and go for it hard and then get there is amazing, top comment
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
James,
I’m conflicted about the whole taking things fast or slow thing. I prefer consistency, whichever way you can pursue that. With slow, like you mentioned, the danger is that you’ve convinced yourself that your dream business is still another year or two down the road and so you won’t take the actions in realizing it.
The danger with going fast is burning out, esp. if you hold a full-time job. But on the other hand, if you can replace a good chunk of your full-time income with your own business, you’ll be quitting your job and living life the way you want.
Personally, you are inspiring and I hope to keep up with what you’re doing!
.-= Moon Hussain´s last blog ..Check-Off Friday (2): Where I Am With My Goals (And Where The Hell Are You With Yours?!) =-.
Hey Moon,
I said to Michelle that burn out has been talked about a lot and some are worried it will happen to me, I can tell you it won’t happen purely because for me it’s about keeping the momentum up keep the speed their and that will carry you on
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
I can totally agree with you here.
Take the full plunge and don’t worry about making mistake. Fire, adjust, fire again !
That’s even my favorite motto:
Run with what you got, fix it as you go !
.-= Mars Dorian´s last blog ..Why you need an edge =-.
I love that saying brother, run with it fix it as you go, brilliant
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
I can’t wait to hear how you eat the elephant. In defense of the small steps concept. I think it is most geared to people with a fear or uncertainty and with them it is critical to do something. Once you get past the start, small steps is just wasting time.
Hey Ralph,
Yeah maybe that’s who I’m subconciously targeting with this post, not sure really. Having the bottle to go for it really is the key in my opinion….
Ha ha why eat an elephant when you can ride it to help you carve a path
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
Hi James
I hope you’re well. I love the blog and your videos.
With regard to this post I can say, without sitting on the fence, that you are both right and wrong! It is important to put maximum effort into any business. However that does not mean that you have to rush everything!
For instance if you are trying to build a business relationship with someone, it takes time for them to get to know you. Now if you steam roller in and never give them a second without you trying to foster a business deal you would likely lose their attention and never get the chance again to talk to them.
In business we need to know when to speed up and when to slow down. There is a balancing act! All of probably never get that exactly right all the time.
I love your enthusiasm and don’t let that go!
Best wishes
Roland
.-= Roland Millward´s last blog ..Why Commenting is Good =-.
Hey Roland,
I’m right and wrong in your opinion brother! lol
I get your point about not steaming in, but you will get to know your business partner etc by spending more time with them working harder than the rest of the market and that positivity may just rub off, just my opinion on it, i’m neither right nor wrong! lol
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
I agree with Roland and he brings up a good point. Relationships take time as does taking time to appreciate what you already have before going off in all directions. Ideas and concepts take time to percolate, otherwise you can be dragged in so many directions that you become lost and confused.
If I *only* post 3-4 times per week, but I’ve given it my all, I don’t think it means that I’m giving it less than someone who posts 10+ /week, especially if the posts are those types of posts that are done quickly just to be able to hit the ‘publish’ button (not saying that yours are!).
Also, if I only have time in my day to comment on 5 blogs instead of 20 because I am working on other blogging tasks that have higher RO1 (e.g. writing articles, strategizing, designing an ebook, etc ), then I don’t think that it’s something that should be discounted so easily.
I also totally agree that you decide upon what is important to you and make the necessary sacrifices now that others may not, so that you can have later what others do not. Heck, you’re proof of that!
Love the videos, too
Karen
Karen
Hey Karen,
You are (as usual – not sarcastic) right and I think you hit on an important point that you can focus on other things that will give you a better return, which is exactly my point about taking it forward.
I get that ideas can take time to percolate but for me I stop getting distracted by being so full on and keep pushing regardless really, I suppose it’s being obsessed but it stops me dipping into something else before this site is successfull,
Glad you like the videos another one on it’s way tomorrow
Why not take lots of little steps really really quickly? We could just all morph into centipedes and go charging off, but in a series of very small steps.
Great post James, the video thing is really working for you!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Video Tutorial: Glow Maps =-.
Hey Heather,
Yeah that’s how Ben described me, i actually think he used the words ”Duracell Bunny” lol
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
Yeeeep I can see how that fits. Although you’re not pink. Or a bunny. (I can feel a photoshop session coming on… *cough*)
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
HEATHER (in my best dad voice) lol
What? *innocence* Don’t you think it’d inspire people?
A little duracell bunny running it’s little heart out up a cliff with your face on it?
Come on James, you’re missing out on a tshirt op. here
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
Ha ha I’m actually quite intrigued to see if something like that could be done.. T-Shirt’s hmmmmm not feeling being a mutant pink bunny though?
Now that I’d pay to see.. or might even wear… hhhmmm energizer bunny…stop your giving me too many ideas..
TGIF– wait that’s not in my workweek!
.-= Lees Shizzle´s last blog ..Frolicking Friday ~/~ Let’s Romp (visit and follow on twitter/facebook) =-.
Exactly Lee, could just see myself typing furiously at the keyboard wearing one of those tshirts (it’d have to be furiously, it’s James’ Duracell bunny). Could catch on.
Fridays are awesome. In a ‘oh god I’ve so much to do by Monday’ way ^_^
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
What about a flame instead then? There’s Cafepress for those sorts of things lol.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
a flame yeah that’s manly gggrrrrrrr!
Just for that we should make it pink. =P
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Three Sites that Play with Colour =-.
This is an awesome video! I have been feeling like my feet are draggin’ in the mud of late. I have lost a bit of my momentum, but thanks to several blogs I have read today, your included yours I am getting re-inspired.
.-= Ms. Freeman´s last blog ..Creating Cherished Treasures =-.
Your back!! how was your break? Feel fresh?
.-= theinfopreneur´s last blog ..Do It Quickly, But Properly + Video =-.
Dynamite, please!
Though I’ve been moving faster than many people, I’m not quite to the dominating point. I need to get more content out there (or at least guest posts!), I need to start making products and I need to just get shit done!
My blog may be only 2 months old, but I am hoping to… nay, I WILL have my blog monetized by the end of the month. It may not be the most successful money-maker ever, but it’ll all be up hill from here. Releasing that first project is something that’s held me back, but no more!
Hey Fiona great stuff loving the fire in your comment, please keep me updated with how you are doing
Speed is relative, James. I think that Yolanda is the hare and I am the tortoise, which is a good working relationship for a partnership. What’s most important is that we are both working toward the same goals and end result, which we will reach. Maybe not in her time or mine, but in the right time for us.
Excellent video post. Thanks.
.-= CaZ´s last blog ..What can Olympic Gold Teach You About Your Home Business? =-.
James, as the author of one the move a mountain/spoon posts I’d like to mount a defence…. (not that I feel like (or I’m sure ben feels like) I’m being attacked)… just to say that those posts aren’t really aimed at powerhouse dynamo’s like yourself.
Those posts are more aimed at people who are facing a significant challenge and cannot see a way forward because they are focused on enormity of the thing that they need to do to move forward. For people with this perspective giving them a tool to take action and begin moving forward. They know how big the challenge is because that is what has held their focus… giving them the spoon enables them to narrow their focus and concentrate on a smaller and for them achievable chunk, and thus make progress.
Making progress provides further inspiration and builds confidence (which powerhouse dynamo’s like yourself have an ample supply), confidence then builds pace…. after they have moved a few spoonfuls, hopefully they’ll be asking why am I using a spoon when I could be using a shovel, then why am I using a shovel when I could be using a digger, and then WHERES THE BLOODY DYNAMITE…
Different perspectives for different audiences… and clearly the audience here are those that are more inclined to reach for the dynamite early…
Love your work!
.-= Mick Morris´s last blog ..How to move a MOUNTAIN =-.
Yeah got you brother that’s a really good way of doing it and explaining it. I think that’s why you and Ben make great life coaches because you can take anyone and show them how to look at things.
The way I do it isn’t dis-similar to your way at all really, I think charging towards that ”moutain” head first keeps you focused on it so much you actually can’t see how big it is which is like when I ran an ultra-marathon in the dessert it was head down and keep pounding rather than think about the finish line, see what I mean?
Mick you are doing great things brother and you’re 100% right that’s the fantastic thing about the internet, so many great minds about to give different slants to things
Bring on the Dyanmo!
You know I really have been thinking a lot about this recently. I am actually re-reading Darren Rowse’s Problogger book b/c I think he has some amazing insights, but one of his points in the book is about starting out small and unknown and how to slowly build an audience. I agree wholeheartedly with Darren (makes sense since he is one of the best) but I also see no reason you cannot orchestrate a meteoric rise to prominence. Hard work, determination, and killer content will take you a long way.
.-= DJ Wetzel´s last blog ..It’s All About The Angle… =-.
When I started my site, I had the help of a good friend of mine who also has a blog. It took him over a year to get really good traffic. And when I started i would tell him I was not getting any traffic and I did not know what to do. He did not offer me any advice, but instead told me “it takes time” meaning a year or so. And, unfortunately I BELIEVED that and now a year later my site is beginning to get traffic. Not because it really takes that long but because I finally realized what I had to do to get traffic and I have been giving it the time it deserves.
Here is my point, you are absolutely right James. Go at it! Give it your all. You are a perfect example of going full throttle and having loads of success. Great work my friend.
.-= Alex Monroe´s last blog ..Can You Believe It Was A Business? World POG Federation =-.
Hi James,
I really admire your no holds barred approach to going after what you want. You definitely inspire all of us to throw away the excuses and believe we can have the success we want if we’re willing to put in a ton of hard work. I love the way you lead by example.
Also, I really enjoy watching your videos.
Hey Jazz,
I’m glad the videos are getting a good response hopefully it adds another angle to the site
I loved the line “Why Stop for Something?”
You got a good point there.
Is this your first Video? Its nice.
.-= Agent Deepak´s last blog ..Interview with James Richmond – The InfoPreneur =-.
Hey man no done some others too my YouTube Channel
Hmm! Going to see your YouTube Channel.
.-= Agent Deepak´s last blog ..Interview with James Richmond – The InfoPreneur =-.
yeah give it a shot it will be updated a lot
I’m with you here on moving that moutain. If you are going to do something, do it well and do it quickly is my view. That way you can get more done and add more value elsewhere.
Your wrecking ball and digger are the different tools in your arsenal. Commenting on your own sites, guest posting, and commenting on others sites.
Ps. Following Gary V’s advice I have gone completely social and I’m now have a presence on youtube, tublr and squidoo.
My Youtube channel is youtube.com/bigredtomatocompany
Go see the Big Red Tomato fish!
.-= Matthew Needham : Big Red Tomato Company´s last blog ..The secrets of becoming rich =-.
Brother I have just subscribed to your channel
James,
I understand where you’re coming from with the ‘get in and get to work’ approach, however it’s no always the best policy. Sometimes a more ‘softly softly’ approach is the best option. I think circumstances will determine this.
I’m all for using the most appropriate approach for the circumstances. It’s no good ‘hanging around’ if the job needs an urgent response. On the other hand if a slower start prevents the job being a success, then an ‘all guns blazing’ approach may be the best option.
Just a few thoughts.
Regards
Paul
.-= Paul´s last blog ..Rocky Road =-.
Hey Paul,
Yeah I agree with that, the problem with that is most people get way too comfortable in the softly approach don’t you think? Of course this is only my opinion but you’re the person who is better suited to comment on different type of people really
James,
I think this would make an interesting discussion, what is most people, how many? Perhaps a questionnaire to a selected group of coaches, counsellors, self help gurus etc might help.
Regards
Paul
.-= Paul´s last blog ..Rocky Road =-.
That’s a fantastic idea and would make a huge huge case study of real importance