Yesterday I celebrated being in business for 30 years. Here are the 10 biggest lessons, The top 10 lessons business. I’ve learned from being in business for 30 years.
Transcribe of “Top 10 lessons from being in business 30 years”
Lesson 1
– Hi guys Neil Waterhouse yesterday I celebrated 30 years of being in business for myself. And over the next 10 weeks I want to share with you the top 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned over those last 30 years of being in business. Now most the lessons I’m going to be sharing with you are lessons that I learnt from being in business. But these same lessons have completely transformed my personal life as I’ll share with you. So the next 10 weeks come to ride with me as I share the lessons.
Progress over perfection
Okay lesson one, progress over perfection. I see this all the time so many people get bogged down with perfection and whereas a hub of entrepreneurs almost always choose done over perfection. Perfectionist are always chasing the impossible dream of 100% perfection. Days, weeks, months, go by you know trying to find the holy grail of perfection.
100% perfection is impossible
And the crazier thing is, 100% perfection is impossible. As soon as anybody gets close to 100% perfection, they quickly need to change or improve something. 100% perfection is impossible and it stops so many people achieving so many things in life. Entrepreneurs almost always choose done over perfection otherwise they just can’t get stuff done and out. For most people, 80% is good enough.
80% is good enough
If you’re a perfectionist, changing to 80% is good enough will often over 10 x your output. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying slap up listings on eBay, Amazon, or your own website with spelling errors. I’m just saying 80% is good enough or, done is better than perfect. One of my favorite quotes on this topic is by Reid Hoffman the founder of LinkedIn the quote is if you’re not embarrassed by your first version of your product, you’ve launched too late. That’s all for this week, please scroll down leave me a comment below. Until next week list more, sell more, this is Neil Waterhouse.
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Thanks Neil, your videos are always valued. They are truly great lessons.
Yes and when you are not conscious of this fact, nothing will ever get done until you are aware. Thanks for waking me up Neil!!
As a perfectionist by my personality and nature, I, too have learned that I cannot push my products at MY expected level, or I would eat up my profit in my time. So… Your Lesson #1 spoke directly to me.
For example, Editing Photos. I use photo editing software, and then I deep-etch those edited photos. I used to take over 50 photos for each item, and then select the best 12 for eBay…but I would still edit all of them. I learned to gain more time, and get my items listed quicker, I needed to 1) limit the number of pics I take of each item, while still making certain to capture all sides, and views that may answer questions for the buyer 2) NOT to be SO Picky…yet picky enough with the photo imperfections (shadows, angles, etc.) and 3) once I am down to the photos I like the best, THEN deep-etch them (again without “needing” them to be 100% perfect! Now I am listing MORE items, and in a smaller space of time! Thanks for thanks for the reminder, Neil, of this pitfall we all may fall into at some time or another!
Great Quote says it all
Many entrepreneurs just stay at home and collect their money without sharing.
Neil your time is always greatly appreciated to take time away from your family to teach others.