When you compare those who win to those who don’t, you’ll often find a few variables worth examining, such as:
1. Thinking v. Over-thinking
2. Motivated v. Over-motivated
3. Creatively Alive v. Inhibited
Sports played at the highest level are often a superb way to analyze the ways of the winner versus the ways of the loser.
One coach allows the team that brought you to the show the opportunity to play.
The other team puts out a different team each day, mostly based upon what the computerized data shows.
So, even when you must win or your team is eliminated, instead of putting the very best players out there, you put what the data shows.
And you lose… again.
One man with Correct Thinking beats the over-thinking of computerized data, or the constant shuffling and platooning of players.
This same scenario plays out in my world of info-publishing as well.
Here’s how it looks:
A person comes up with what could very well be a best-selling title for a product, but then the person starts to over-think. Months, even years, can go by as the person fidgets with the title. Meanwhile, no progress is being made.
I see this happen every single day. I’m guilty of doing it myself, at times, as well.
It’s not good.
Here’s why:
Let’s take a look at what many people have told me is a HORRIBLE title for a book.
It’s called….
I didn’t write the original, so don’t blame me.
And don’t blame me for the fact that the book has sold over 35 million copies worldwide.
With a bad title that truly sucks.
I wrote a book back in 1999 that was published in February of 2000.
It’s called…
One of my brothers called me to tell me it wasn’t a very good title. He said I should come up with something that targets people a little better. He told me to do some research and come up with something with more appeal.
I ignored him.
My book went on to become a best-seller – and I became a pioneer in the field of bodyweight exercise.
Thinking is good. Over-thinking is a disease.
As one of my mentors used to say, “Think, don’t Stink.”
Coming up with the PERFECT title for anything is impossible. It’s about the same when naming your unborn child.
How many people do you know who were given the PERFECT name at birth?
Perfection is an imagined reality that exists in Nowheresville.
There is always something better.
A better title, a better name, a better lineup for a ball game.
Put your thinking cap on – but know when to remove it and get in where the action is.
Win, lose or draw, action will give you information on what you can do to improve – but NOT what you can do to be perfect.
Perfect doesn’t exist.
Here endeth the lesson.
Matt Furey
