5 minute read
The Problem and Me by Jeff Shinabarger
DAY 8 THE PROBLEM AND ME
By Jeff Shinabarger
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Founder of Plywood People and author of More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity.
@shinabarger
Sometimes I have these feelings that I am made to do something significant, something bigger than myself. Have you ever dreamt of this kind of a future for yourself? Tomorrow always seems easier than today. There are many times that I launch into something new and think to myself, this is it. This is the one that is going to hit big. This is truly going to make a change. This is why I am here and this is what is going to matter. This idea is the one that will change everything.
Then reality hits. The biggest challenge in this purpose coming into existence is me. I am the problem. Here is how I fall short. I try to be something I am not. I let fears overcome my potential. I am more attracted to new ideas than the one I am working on. In the midst of making something significant, I neglect the people who matter most.
I’m sure you can’t relate.
These four tensions are the difference between making and dreaming.
The root of all these problems is me.
1) Understand who you are and who you are not.
When you take on projects and roles that don’t match your strengths, it never turns out good. For example, I remember editing a brochure in one of my first jobs that had a misspelling in the title. It cost our company $20,000 to reprint the brochure. I should have known I am not an editor. I will never forget sitting down with my boss and hearing him state very clearly that he could have bought a new car for the cost of reprinting the brochure. Understand what you are good at and focus on those things, then bring people around you who are great at your weaknesses. Let them do what they are good at and you do what only you can do.
2) Be courageous and don’t be overtaken by your fears.
Jon Acuff says it so eloquently: “Punch fear in the face.” We all have fears creep into our minds, and doubts where we question if we are able to do what we feel created to do. When you start believing that you can achieve your dream and address the problem sitting in front of you, others will believe you can succeed and join in the pursuit. The truth is, many times we will fail, but that is how we learn and gain practice to be greater. This is progress in achieving your 10,000 hours toward becoming an expert that Malcalm Gladwell has so perfectly communicated. If in your moments of failure, you fail with courage, you will gain influence with the people around you. Most people want to do something that matters but most don’t have the guts to begin. Give us what you’ve got. We are all at a loss until you are fully living what only you can contribute to the world.
3) New ideas are always attractive and current projects are the reality.
Every project is fun when it begins. Everything is simple, and then you have to do the work to make it come to life. You hit a wall. This is the moment in every innovator’s life that defines how he or she is viewed. There are people with ideas and then there are people who make ideas come to life. The first people are never remembered, they live in the clouds and have nothing to show for it. The second person is the one who makes change, is known and shared with others. The first a dreamer; the second is a pioneer, a doer of unthinkable action. They see what is unseen and reveal it to others. If you look back in history, only one is remembered. The other cried wolf. Be cautious of the attraction toward a new idea before the first is complete. Ideas are not the goal; solutions to problems are where successes will be found. Be a pioneer, get past conception of ideas and celebrate giving birth to something new.
4) If you change the world at the cost of friends and family, you lose.
Once you commit to doing something that has not been done before, it is easy to give all your time, money and energy to that project. Working harder and longer starts to consume entrepreneurs; it is top of mind all the time. When every conversation with every group of people is filled with talking about what you are doing, be very concerned. You have lost touch with the needs of your community and are starting to find fulfillment in your self interest. Don’t lose track of the people who matter to you. Make time for them. Give others priority in your life. Don’t get married to your solution. If you solve the problem and have on one to celebrate with, you will be unfulfilled. As you start working on new ventures, your friends may change, but don’t lose the people who are most important. Surround yourself with people who understand what you do best and worst. They know you, and they want you to succeed. They need you and you need them before, during, and after the project is complete. The opportunity of being part of solving problems is an honor of influence. The greatest limitation of that solution coming to life is me and you. Ask yourself if you are uniquely designed to be the person to solve the problem that you see? Being a pioneer is a great responsibility. Bringing unique solutions to old problems is a privilege. It is our responsibility to beat the problem of ourselves to make things better for others.
