A true marker of success is a person who has put a concept (aka the idea or the dream) ahead of the actual tools that will bring that particular concept to life.
Most people go through life looking at the “tools” that are set before them, and then introduce a concept to conform to the tools. For example, a young person who is good with computers might be coached into doing something with his or her life that revolves around that particular “tool” (the computer). But what if that person doesn’t actually want to sit down in front of a computer for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for the rest of their life?
When a “tool is cool,” what tends to happen is that a personality begins to wrap itself around the tool. This phenomenon can be seen in all walks of life, on both a personal level and in business.
My parents purchased a Macintosh for me back in 1984. I loved it. To this day, I’ve used Macs and only Macs in my personal life and in the operation of my business. In the early 90’s, I was told that Mac’s would vanish from the face of the earth. In 1997, I was told that Mac stock (about $14.00 a share) would be a bad investment. Today, you can find a less expensive music player, but none of which says “I’m da man!” like an iPod. And as far as mobile phones go, please note that Apple sold out of all of its first shipment of iPhone 4 phones early yesterday afternoon. They’re gonzo. I’ve been using Apple products forever and a day because they are designed to work around the individual. I have all of my receipts dating back to the days BEFORE Apple products were “cool.” My point: Apple products have been my tools – tools that assist me in developing my concepts and achieving my goals. Those tools assist me in operating my business, and in maximizing my personal life. My Apple products DO NOT define who I am. I do not use them to make a statement.
Metaphorically speaking, and expanding from a small scale example – many of you have embraced various “tools” to help you define your life (personally and/or professionally). It’s sad, but true. The tools have won out over the concept. The REASON for this (in my not so humble opinion) is because people do not know who the heck they are. I know LOTS of folks who, even as this post is being uploaded, are heading off to work to do something that they hate. Naturally, they will not admit their hatred for their occupation. They say things like, “I don’t HATE being a _____ – I’d just rather be doing something else.” In my world, that’s like putting lipstick on a pig.
I’m telling you RIGHT NOW that, BS-ing yourself is the expressway to nowhere. It’s okay to admit that you don’t like what you do – even if what you do cost you hundreds of thousands of dollar in education. I know many doctors and lawyers who truly hate their lives. I mean HATE. They’ve spent a fortune on their education. They live in a nice house, have all the toys, and take nice vacations. Their “job” is financing their life (which is fine), but their job should still be something that they truly enjoy. To say that your job paid for your life, sent your kids to college, and paid for two weddings is only applaudable if you actually enjoyed generating the revenue that made those things happen. I understand that most people don’t see things that way. But then again, most people don’t really enjoy the journey – just the rest stops.
You have to know how to distinguish the concept from the tools. The concept comes first. It’s the WHAT. Then you support the concept with the tools. Doing anything less is a recipe for a lousy life and reduced performance.
I see LOTS of folks struggling in business – simply because they’ve not formulated what they want (the concept). Not knowing how to bring life to your concept is not a big deal. Just because YOU don’t know does not mean that you can’t learn. My 5 and year old daughters have learned how to use a number of complex Adobe programs. At 44, I recently learned the ins and outs of HTML 5. My daughters can now create incredible projects, and I am now able to have greater knowledge when it comes to managing my presence on the internet. That knowledge is a tool, and those tools help us to create and develop the concept. Frustration and lack of knowledge are unacceptable excuses. Period. Remember that.
Live your concept!
…Dr. Marc (The DARK LORD)