Nike is famous for its slogan “Just Do It.” The statement is simple and relevant in many situations. When it comes to personal and professional growth, “just do it” can be the difference between realizing dreams and wondering what might have been.
The One to Grow On quote this week is a hat tip to someone who expressed the same idea as Nike’s legendary slogan some 40 years earlier. Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart lived a “just do it” life. Earhart took her first airplane ride in her early 20s and knew right away she wanted to learn to fly.
Amelia Earhart learned to fly, for sure. Her list of accomplishments included:
- First woman to pilot a plane across the Atlantic Ocean
- First woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean
- First person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean (Hawaii to California)
- Flew solo from Mexico City to Newark, New Jersey
- Attempted to become first woman to fly around the world
Earhart’s achievements were not without risks, including the attempt to fly around the world that ultimately took her life. The dangers of the flights Earhart made would prevent many people from even thinking about trying.
According to her biography, Earhart recognized and embraced the risks. “Please know I am quite aware of the hazards,” she said. “I want to do it because I want to do it.” Earhart put her life on the line in pursuit of what she wanted to do. We step out of line when far less is required of us.
What Holds Us Back?
Imagine if Amelia Earhart was encountering airplanes up close for the first time today. She could have fallen head-over-heels in love with aviation just as she did in the 1930s. Her newly found interest could have been extinguished quickly by thoughts such as:
- “Flying lessons are probably too expensive”
- “Being a pilot would affect my life insurance premium”
- “My friends might criticize me for taking up a dangerous hobby”
- “I need to pay off all of my debt before I begin flying”
- “It is the busiest time of year at work right now. I might take it up in a few months.”
Whew! I am exhausted covering inaction with reasons that Earhart might not take up flying if she was a twenty-something today. If we follow Amelia Earhart’s advice, we should avoid falling into traps of over-planning, over-analyzing, and over-worrying about possible outcomes.
Two possible outcomes trouble us when we take on new ventures. One outcome is understandably worrisome: “What if I fail?” Most of us despise failure for many reasons. Failure damages our self-esteem, can make us look bad in the eyes of others, and even bring on negative financial or relationship consequences.
The other outcome that should be no issue at all holds us back more than we realize: “What if I succeed?” It seems ludicrous to suggest that the result we want from a venture could be the very reason we hesitate to chase it. However, growth entails change, and we may resist anything that pushes us beyond our comfort zone. A promotion could require moving to a new city. A well-received article or book could put you in front of audiences speaking and presenting. A new relationship could force re-evaluation of existing ones. Oh, the hidden dangers of “just do it!”
Get on Board
This week, take Amelia Earhart’s advice and focus on action. Rather than striving for perfection before launching a new idea, act on an idea and work out any flaws as you go. Some entrepreneurs advocate the concept of minimum viable product (MVP). In a nutshell, MVP emphasizes getting a new idea to market, learn from customer feedback, and adapt the offering as needed.
MVP is counter to getting a product “just right” before launch. Of course, a product needs to be valuable to its users. That condition does not mean the product must have all possible features and functions from the outset. Take it to market, get user feedback, and improve it. At the heart of MVP is Amelia Earhart’s belief that “the most effective way to do it is to do it.”
A “do it” mindset does not mean you are chucking plans and strategy out the window. It means you refuse to let them become obstacles to growth.
Are you ready to “just do it” this week?
Couldn’t agree more!