Success – Perfection Unattainable

One of my favorite scenes of all movies all time is when Roy McAvoy is describing the golf swing in the movie Tin Cup. In the clip he says “Perfection Unattainable” (for the whole clip see below). It is true, but the journey there is what matters

“I tend to think of the golf swing as a poem…”

In your business you need to continuously strive for perfection, knowing full well that it is not going to happen. Sound counter intuitive? Maybe but it is the key to success in whatever you are doing. Set a time aside every week to ask yourself, ‘How can I do this better’? That is what you are here for right. The smart businessman knows that no matter how well business is going you can do better. So take time and concentrate on that.

Suggestions on how to do this

I get a lot of work done in the car. I like to download books on tape (not Gone With The Wind but improvement, and business books) and listen to them while I am traveling around. This always sparks interest. I guess driving has just gotten too easy (I am knocking on wood right now) and my mind wonders. If I get a good idea I pull over to the side, in a parking lot, or wherever and write it down. I always have a notepad with me for these situations. At the end of the week, usually Saturday morning, I wake up early and rewrite down all the good ideas I had that week. I then decide which one I am going to tackle that week and I go for it. Take a notepad with you where ever you go and write down ideas that come to you. Pick a very specific day and time and review them once a week. Then pick at least one and go with it.

Set aside time for you. Leisure time is the best time to recharge your internal batteries. It is a time to bring out you again. If you are working too much you need to find time to take a break and have it for you. I cannot stress this enough. I have a very hard time pulling away from my computer. I love to sit in front if it and learn, and surf, and find out what others are doing. Heck that is how I get paid, but I get stuck in the same rut all the time. I sit there and surf and surf and surf (if you have not gotten the StumbleUpon add on for your browser be careful it is addicting) and get nothing done. When I find myself in that situation I got to get out. If it is the right time I get to go out my back door onto the golf course and chip and putt. That always calms the nerves, and sooths the soul. Take time for yourself and recharge

Finally while you are working look critically at what you are doing. Look at yourself as if you were your customer or your client. What would you think if you were helping you at the time? What could you do better? What could you do different? This may be the most difficult part, but it may be the fastest way to success. If you are able to really look inside yourself and look at your business from the perspective of an outsider you can make some very simple and effective changes. Don’t be afraid to walk in the front door sometimes, and act like a customer.

Jot down what you see that you can improve upon and go for it. Don’t delay. If it does not work, fine, then do something else. Any business that is not in constant improvement is falling behind. Be the good businessperson that you are and act, improve, and make more moolah.