How can I create a bias toward action?

One of the coolest parts of living full time in San Francisco was all of the incredible conversations and discussions that happened. Visionaries, future thinkers, philosophers and spiritual wisdom seekers. I feel like I was always finding my way into a truly fascinating conversation, and I haven't found that level of depth and frequency anywhere else.

This was also something that was frustrating to me.

It appeared to me, at least in some of my circles, that there was a direct inverse correlation between how visionary a person or company was and their ability to execute and operate. And that's not a knock against anyone or anything thing. The world needs both operators and visionaries. For me personally, I think the ideal balance is somewhere around 80-20 with a bias toward action.

This all has given me a greater appreciation and respect for people who execute at the highest level.

These people, as a default, are action oriented as opposed to discussion oriented. They want to build, create, iterate, improve, optimize, test and prototype. With everything they do.

This ties directly into my previous thought: "How can I think 14 steps ahead?"

Applying this bias toward action means repeatedly taking that first step toward the North Star. With the minimum time necessary to recalibrate, it becomes time again for action.

The way I see this becoming more prevalent for me personally is through:

1. Simplifying the complex into tiny, bite-sized pieces and ruthless executing on them
2. Making more space and time blocking specifically for taking action
3. Creating regular checkins for completion of action items
4. Being aware of when I get pulled into the world of the theoretical, hypothetical and futuristic

This isn't the first time I've thought about these things. I've tried various to-do lists, time blocking, and checkins but never from this perspective. I'm excited to see what structures drop in on my quest to rebalance my own method of operation with a bias toward action.

How can I think 14 steps ahead?

There's this myth that's perpetuated over and over again that the smartest people are always 3 steps ahead of the rest of us. They have this master plan that's unfolding exactly as they predicted.

I found that almost never to be the case even when it comes to the smartest people I know.

That are not playing 3-dimensional chess or any other game that our puny human brains can't comprehend. They are playing the same exact game as all of us.

They are just playing the game differently.

There's a reason why these very rare humans give the impression of being 14 steps ahead though. It involves a simple three step formula that makes it much more attainable:

1. Have a very clear long term vision of where you are going. A purpose, a North Star, a mission. Call it what ever you want. It's a point very far out on the horizon that you are aiming for either personally or as a business.
2. Take one single step in the direction of the North Star.
3. Assess whether that step moved you toward the North Star or away from it, and go back to Step 2.

That's it. One step. Assess. Next step. Assess. Step again. Assess.

Here's where the "smartest" people I know play it differently though.

Instead of spending an exorbitant amount of time meticulously plan out each of the next 14 steps, they trust in their ability to assess and course correct. They take that step with full confidence in their ability to figure it out and with an incomplete set of data. Then they assess, plan only as much as is absolutely necessary and then step again.

It seems like magic to the rest of us because they are moving so fast. They are cutting out massive amounts time chunks from every cycle. They appear to be 14 steps ahead because they are actually taking 14 steps with new information at each step in the time it may take a competitor to take just one single step.

Figure out where you are going. Take one singular step. Assess. Step again.

Why did I stop messing with the dark side of the force?

I vividly remember the moment when I discovered that force was no longer the best answer for me.

I spent most of my career trying to force things that weren’t meant to be.

• I forced my way into becoming a financial advisor — didn’t last a year
• I forced a very bad startup idea into development — didn’t last a month
• I forced a partnership and some bad projects and hires — didn’t make it to Year 3
• I forced my way into TechStars — only lasted half of the program
• I forced myself into a vaguely defined leadership position — almost made it 2 years

Don't get me wrong. I accomplished a lot along the way, built some incredible things, and learned a lifetime worth of lessons. Forcing things served me well.

It was a bias towards action and execution, and it was what was called for at the time. Getting shit done. Taking risks. Forcing things into existence. Confidence that I could deal with anything that would come up.

One day, I realized that forcing things wasn’t the way for me anymore.

I know the exact moment. I was in a leadership immersion with some of my favorite entrepreneurs when it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was contemplating some big moves for my company at the time when this scene came to mind.

“I was standing in front of a brick wall trying to figure out what to do next. I knew I had to get through the wall. This obstacle was in my way. As I had done so many times in the past, I geared up and was ready to punch and kick my way through this wall. Whatever it takes.

Just as I was about to force my way through the wall, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. There was a door. Twenty feet away. A glorious door that would simply open for me so I could gracefully walk through.”

That’s where I’m at today. No longer does it serve me to force my way through brick wall after brick wall.

Something very big has been coming through around what’s next.

There’s a part of me that wants to put on the karate uniform and force it. Roll up the sleeves, kick down the walls, whatever it takes. I know that’s not the answer. So I’m listening. I’m exploring. I’m remaining curious and open. I’m asking questions. I’m experimenting. I’m iterating. And I’ve never felt more aligned and excited for what’s on the horizon.

I won’t force things. I don’t have to. And that feels amazing.

Of course there will come times where walls will need to be torn down, and I’m forever grateful to have that skillset in my tool belt. For now though, it’s doors over walls.

How could I forget about the greatness of Jay-Z?

A while back, most of Jay-Z’s songs were removed from Spotify in a move to promote a competitive music streaming service.

After the initial disappointment of losing him on Spotify, it became out of site, out of mind. When Jay released a new album, it was again a minor inconvenience, but I found ways to listen to it without signing up for the new service (YouTube - ugh).

A few days ago Jay-Z made a glorious return to Spotify, and it’s been the only thing I’ve listened to since it happened. I forgot how much I appreciate his songs and the absence has me in full Hova mode.

I get the marketing and promotional reasoning behind it, but it was painful for me as a connoisseur of the jigga-man. Maybe it was a home run for the competitor, but I’d much rather see deals that are good for all parties involved. Figure out ways to make it a win for the fans, the artists, the streaming services, the labels, everyone.

Anyways, it’s good to have Jay back on Spotify where I can once again admire all the greatness that he has created.

What if I didn’t accomplish anything?

There are times when I lay down at night and think:

“What did I actually accomplish today?”

Some nights, it comes easy while others might be a struggle. Then there are days like today where I really didn’t accomplish very much.

I didn’t move my business forward in any tangible way. I didn’t generate any new revenue. I didn’t create value for clients or the marketplace.

In the past, this might have been a big disappointment. But that's life. Not all days are going to be perfectly optimized up-and-to-the-right.

Also. There are things that are far more important checking the box of accomplishment for the day. Health. Family. Those come first. Today was a day for those.

I no longer have any negative reaction or judgement towards myself on those days where my accomplishment box does not overflowth. When it happens, it happens. I go to bed looking forward to what goodness tomorrow has in store for me.