This was supposed to be about something else. It's not what we expected it to be. But once we started, it took on a life of its own. And now it's this. And as a result it's hopefully better than the original idea.
Such is life. Such happy things only happen if you get started on something. There's something to say about this on page 131.
Originally the book was intended specifically for people teetering on the brink of setting up their own first business and in need of a friendly shove in the right direction. But it changed.
The impetus needed to start a business is the same as anyone teetering on the brink of anything. So for you – this is your kick in the pants.
If you want to do something but secretly fear you're never going to do it, whatever that might be, then this might help you:
As a result it's not written just for the entrepreneurial business person but for the entrepreneurial in spirit. The lessons, the advice, the nagging, the cartoons, the jokes, the exaggerations and the things that possibly never really happened… all these things apply to anyone trying to cross that bridge between their dreams and their reality.
Talking of the things-that-probably-never-really-happened…
A Tibetan Lama was speaking to a group of monks and to make a point, pulled out a large jar, set it on the table in front of him, produced a few fist-sized rocks, and placed them, one by one, into the jar.
When no more rocks would fit inside, he asked: “Is this jar full?” Everyone said: “Yes.” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel, dumped some in and shook the jar, the gravel worked between the rocks. Again, he asked: “Is this jar full?” The monks were catching on. “Probably not,” one answered.
“Good!” he replied and reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He dumped the sand into the jar until it filled all the crevices. Once more he asked: “Is this jar full?”
“No!” the monks shouted. “Good!” he said and grabbed a pitcher of water and poured it until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he asked, “What is the point of this illustration?” One young monk responded, “The point is, no matter how full your day you can always fit some more things in.”
“No,” the speaker replied, “the point is that if you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all. What are the priorities in your life?”1
William Shakespeare
Any drill sergeant in any army anywhere
It's shorter than we expect.
And it races by while we're working out what's really important and what actually isn't.
As time roars past our ears we drift, deliberate, doubt and take ourselves too seriously yet all the while we talk about what we would, could and should do to make it better.
And then it's gone.
So let's walk the talk.
Because there's never been a better time, or a more urgent time, to start doing the things you want to do.
Let's dance.
This book is about starting.
It's about shifting from the static to the active state; the state where things happen because you initiated them.
It's about shifting gears, moving direction, transforming what you do with your day, your week, your time and taking control; it's about deliberately putting one foot in front of the other and moving with purpose instead of being carried along by the current.
There's never been a better time to start something. Now more than ever we live in a world of opportunity.
But the downside to this world of opportunity – brought about by new technology and new social and working conventions – is a world that seduces us into drifting through life.
Things like: shopping, web-surfing, casual tweeting, photo-commenting and status-updating. It's not that these things aren't fun or even good. But while it might feel like you're “doing” – in large part thanks to the power of billions of dollars of marketing – you might have a feeling that there's got to be more to life.
Supposing you could take the next 2 years off from your normal life? You didn't have to worry about where you live, earning a living, paying the bills, what family, friends and colleagues would think of what you do in those next 24 months.
Now, what are you going to do in this time? Shop, surf the web and update your status? Maybe you'll spend your time sitting on a beach talking about what you're going to do over the next few months? Or will you be itching to get on with what you've been thinking about and talking about?
Pablo Picasso
Life is short.
If you've got something you want to do… now is a good time to start.
Here are four reasons why…