I intend to help people see the simplicity in life. I love to observe my own life, and the lives of others, and develop simple theories that are easy to understand, easy to use, and pretty reliable. This is my first in what what I hope will become a useful list:
BW1: The things that you're going to do happen quickly. The things that you're not going to do take a long time.
Have you ever had that pet project that you've thought about for years, but never done? It always seems like a good idea, and you often work out some of the elements in your head, but you never seem to do it. And yet, you never say you're not going to do it. I believe these "take a long time" projects (at least in your head…during gestation) are actually quite expensive things. They take up important brain cells, and they block creativity for what you really will do. And yet, they never get shot down because they seem so "good."
I propose it's time to do some shooting. Especially now that the fall is here, summer is over, we're all back to work, and we're ready to get stuff done.
Try it. Here's the steps:
1. Take an idea that you've been thinking about for a long time, and that is pretty darn important to you, but …well… is taking a long time.
2. Consider this: You're now thinking about something that is not going to happen. Simply because it's taking you so long. And I believe it's taking you so long for some pretty great reasons that you're not fully in touch with.
3. Think about project and say "…x… is not going to happen. It's over."
4. Do it again. "….x …. is not going to happen."
5. Notice a rushing feeling in your head. This is those brain cells being freed up, and creative juices beginning to flow.
6. Soon a new idea will come to you that you'll do quickly.
QED.
BW1: The things that you're going to do happen quickly. The things that you're not going to do take a long time.
Please send me your stories that go along with (or counter to ) this theory. (bill@warnerresearch.com or in the comment section…which everyone gets to see)