Just do it!

Okay, I know, that famous tag line belongs to Nike but I just like it so much because sometimes, you “just need to do it”!

Today, I’d like to ask you a question.  If you were totally honest with yourself, would you say you spend more time researching and reading about something than actually doing it?  Do you think you use it as an excuse not to do other things? 

I know many folks who do this and at first, you think, wow, these folks are really up to speed, they are in touch with what’s going on, etc.  But after you get to know them for a while, you realize that’s all they do.  They surf the net, they read every publication they can get their hands on, they attend classes but at the end of the day, what do they really accomplish?  Are they putting any of this knowledge to work?  Are they accomplishing any tasks?

I realize that a happy medium is really the best solution.  You can’t always be a reader and you shouldn’t always be a doer but instead should strike for a balance between the two.

I suggest you allocate some time period on your calendar each day for reading (I allocate 30 minutes each morning) and then move on to your To-do list.  That should allow you read all the great articles published in this industry but also allow you to accomplish the tasks you know you need to do (such as meeting with referral sources, talking to your clients, working on ways to improve your operations, service, etc.).  If you are having a hard time doing these things and are using excuses not to, I suggest you investigate working with a good coach who can work with you to find a style that fits you and then keep you accountable to it.

I’d like to hear from you if you have a better system for doing this.  This is an area I need help with as well.

Thanks!