"A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are made for."
Think of your mind as a boatyard, and yourself as a boat builder. Think of your business as the vessel you're creating. Once it's seaworthy, it's going to take you to the places you've dreamed of, perhaps to places you never imagined possible.
I struggle with the pursuit of perfection. It's a flaw. Before my boat was launched, I wasted more years than I care to admit making sure it would be sleek and beautiful. I didn't want it in the water until the paint job was perfect, and the lettering on the bow was just right.
Once it was launched, I kept it in the harbor for weeks waiting for the latest electronics to arrive so that I would be able to find the best fish out on the fishing grounds. I spent a lot of money on electronics, and I bragged to my friends about the image resolution of my fishfinder, and its ability to tell the big fish from the little ones. I was going to target big fish, because that's where the money would be. My friends admired my magnificent plans, and talked to their friends about my boat. It made me proud.
Meanwhile, my competitor for those fish had finished his boat, launched it and headed out to sea. Well, it wasn't exactly finished--his boat, after all, only had a primer coat of paint, and I knew for a fact that one of his engines was sort of patched together from salvage parts. The engines didn't purr like my new diesels. His electronics were older, clunky and outdated.
While I was busy getting ready to fish, my competitor Bob was fishing. He wasn't very efficient, but within a week he was back with a hold full of fish. They weren't very big fish, but on the other hand, he sure had a lot of them. And no one was talking about his boat--they were paying him for the fish they wanted.
I want my legacy to be a legacy of action. Do it. Get 'er done! Storm clouds are brewing in the mortgage industry right now, and in the real estate industry too. I've heard that some boats have capsized out there. But my friends, it's not time to hunker down and pray for the storm to pass. It's time to put out from harbor, head to the fishing grounds, and start fishing.
A ship in the harbor is safe, but it doesn't make any money.
I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert.
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Mike -
Great analogy. Staying in the harbor is not risking anything or being rewarded. Excellent post!
Well, that certainly is a different way of explaining it. Very inspirational and true, attitude and action make the difference. Sitting around "what iff'ing" will get you nowhere.
Great post!
Howdy Mike
You did a very fine post. I liked reading a lot.
Have a good one
Hey Mike
You certainly don't let any barnicles grow on your boat...
What is that phrase - Massive Action Solves All Problems - thanks for this wonderfully visual analogy. Sometimes it's very easy to be extremely busy on non-income producing activities. I will remember this post for years to come -
thank you
Hi Mike,
Great post for us perfectionists which i am now calling procrastinators, we will never get it right and the heavy feeling of it hangining over our heads is worse then just dong and fixing it to perfect later
have a great day,
Mary
Mary, thank you for reading and commenting! I read your Profile, and appreciated the comment about "saving my clients from discount brokers." It's nice to meet you; I've made you an associate and look forward to going back to your site right now and reading your blog. Please subscribe to mine.
Mike,
Such a great analogy. Remember that boat was made to withstand the storms too. Very good post. :)
I loved this post, Mike. Wonderful analogies and self examination. You're completely right, life on earth is all about action. Without it we go nowhere..........
Jo
Cheryl-Anne
I'd like to read that newsletter. Please send one my way.
Roberta,
Thanks for visiting, and for the compliment.
Jo
I visited your profile, which had a link to your home in Canada. So beautiful! Thanks for visiting.