As business owners, I think it’s safe to say we all attend events, read books, listen to podcasts and consume some form of content in order to better our lives and businesses. But if you’re anything like me, the execution of that content doesn’t come so easily. Recently, I was in Cabo San Lucas attending a conference called Mastermind Talks; there was the sun, the scenery — it was a great time. If you’re like a lot of folks I work with, you’ve been to conferences and events yourself. However, they probably haven’t brought you the success you wanted. Why?
Most people don’t implement quickly, if at all. Not because they don’t want to, but the problem is that most people are constantly learning and taking in information, then they are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. They leave with a giant to-do list that soon gets stacked on top of the current pile of things to do. The good news is that there is a way out.
The Importance Of Implementation
Most people — including business owners — suffer from a condition I call “infobesity.” They are so full of information and notes and ideas that they are stuck. They aren’t able to move forward because they’re weighted down. Too much consumption and not enough implementation.
That’s a tragedy. The success of your business and forward progress in any area of life is directly connected to your ability to implement the content you are consuming quickly and effectively.
At an event, you can meet new people, build relationships, experience camaraderie and learn a ton. But what do you do with all of that information? Hopefully, you narrow it down and implement it. Let me tell you how I do it with great results.
How To Learn And, More Importantly, Take Action
So let’s say you’re in a learning environment like I was in Cabo. How do you resist the overwhelm?
I’d recommend differentiating between “just in case” information and “just in time” information. “Just in case” information is something you consume, learn and take notes about just in case you need it sometime in the future. It’s good but not currently relevant. These are the notes that sit on your shelf for years and probably never make a difference (unfortunately).
On the other hand, “just in time” information is something that fits where you are right now — something you are working on currently that, when optimized, gets you an immediate result. I learned a lot of amazing things at this conference, but my notebook has only one page of notes. The key: I found one major takeaway I could implement in the next 24 hours that will have a leverage effect on my business. Then, I’m done! No coulda-shoulda-woulda. Just implement the one thing I need.
Here is how I approach any learning environment to get the most out of it:
1. Make a short list of the things you are currently working on that need answers or support. It’s much easier to find a better solution to something you are already doing than to start something new.
2. Go into the experience with intention. Ask yourself: If there is just one thing I could walk away with that would give me the greatest outcome, what would it be? Then, be aware of answers to that.
3. Once you have a short to-do list gained from the experience, add two columns beside it and list:
• Ease of execution (on a scale of 1-5)
• The bottom-line impact (either money saved or money earned)
4. Sort through this list in the order of priority based on easiest to do and highest bottom-line impact.
5. Add 1-3 action steps to execute these items (ideally something you can do in the next 24-48 hours).
6. Execute and celebrate!
Are you ready to do the same? Sit down and decide on one thing you can implement in the next 24-48 hours — not next month or next year. Consistently do one essential thing to move forward every 48 hours, or every week, or every month. When you work in short sprints of decisive-focused action, you’re more likely to get incredible results.
There is a time and place for all these things; just make sure you’re not distracted from the things that can get you there the fastest.
