Today I had the opportunity to sit in on a meeting between some of the leading minds behind the marketing/branding for Nike, and the founder of Green Foam, Joey Santley. For those who don’t know, Green Foam was just awarded ‘Environmental Product of the Year‘ award by SIMA.
One thing stuck in my mind while watching how one of the largest companies in the world and one of the most innovative companies in the world interact with each other. Though I won’t get into the details of the meeting, what I can say is that the topics and discussion that evolved on both sides of the table was no different from the discussions and topics I have had with many of you, my fellow thinkers. I witnessed something that I have been a part of more times than I can count- by the end of the discussion, both sides had inspired the other to dream bigger.
At times, I can’t help but roll my eyes hearing people say “you REALLY can do whatever you put your mind to,” because I don’t particularly agree with it. My issue is with the people who believe that thinking alone will yield success. Not even close. It can’t be said enough: We are capable of whatever we put our minds to, but remember- thinking about doing something is not enough… so think about it and then get out there and just do it.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jason Markow, Jason Markow. Jason Markow said: What You Have In Common With Nike http://goo.gl/fb/xtfmP [...]
Indeed!! Not think about doing it, talk a lot about doing it, or trying to do it. Do it.
I actually took the word “try” out of my vocabulary. I realized that try is a backdoor, an escape hatch, from having to be accountable to commitments, especially to myself. When I gave up “trying to get in shape” my context shifted. Dropping that one word did two things: gave me accountability for the actions I didn’t take (didn’t go to the gym) & gave me credit for the actions that I did (had less meat & more veggies for dinner).
Just doing it means it’s happening right now, another crucial part of being in action, since action can only happen NOW.
I love it Kelley! You bring up a great point and an essential piece I missed. The layer in-between thinking and doing is most certainly ‘trying’. Well said.
That ‘try’ word is very pervasive and sneaky. Life for me is much more powerful without it.
By the way, Jason, you have a pretty ding-dang cool life. The meeting you mention in this post is awesome, especially on the heels of the event you went to this weekend. Epic, really.
Right on Jason!
Thinking alone will come to nothing, it must be coupled with action, and a plan to get the maximum amount of benefit out of that action.
This is the way it works for me… I prefer to take some action and then afterwards think, how can I do that better next time. Than to just keep thinking I really should do something!
Cheers Adam