You're Not Learning, You're Procrastinating

June 11, 2023

Overcomplication … the unseen cloak we all don…our defense mechanism against the dangerous dragons dwelling on the plains of simplicity.

And the Internet makes this much, much worse. 

How so?

The interwebs compels us to summon complexities and information out of thin air - fueling us to review pages of “expert” opinions before lifting a single finger.

After a particularly bad info binge a few weeks ago, I caught myself thinking about starting a business in Senior Assisted Living.

YUCKY.

I know nothing about this space or industry at all.

Do any of these sound familiar?

  • "I need an ultra-specialized workout regime to get fit" – when a daily sprint around the block could get the ball rolling today.

  • "I must get a blood glucose monitor and monitor my macros before changing the way I eat" – when swapping chips for steak would get you 10 lbs. lighter by next month.

  • "I should create an advanced knowledge management system for my business" – when a simple spreadsheet could plug holes in your ops, and those holes are costing you money today.

Embracing Simplicity: Planning vs Procrastination

While I'm a friend of thoughtful planning and continual learning, there's a fine line between being prepared and procrastinating.

It's a delicate balance, reminiscent of Aristotle's "golden mean" - the perfect spot between excess and deficiency.

Not too little.

Not too much.

Just right.

Goldilocks.

While I don’t agree with many of the other things he talks about (F&# you I’m spending $4.00 on coffee every day), I’m inspired by Dave Ramsey, the finance guru, who champions the power of small steps to get started.

Ramsey recommends starting with paying off minor debts before tackling larger ones.

Why?

The idea is to create momentum and celebrate the small victories that ultimately fuel your journey towards bigger challenges.

Cool idea - even though it’s counterintuitive.

The Power of Small Steps

The philosophy is straightforward: start small, embrace simplicity, and when you're ready, take on the bigger challenges.

It's not about simplifying the task but making it achievable.

Here's how you can practice this philosophy in a real-life global talent scenario:

Your Weekly Challenge: Leveraging Global Talent

Ready to put the power of simplicity into action?

Your challenge this week is to tap into global talent using Upwork.com.

Follow these quick steps to complete the process within 20 minutes:

  1. Create an Upwork Account: If you haven't already, set up an account on Upwork.com. (5 minutes)

  2. Post Your Job Ad: Modify the template below to suit your needs and post it on the platform. (2 minutes)"I need 5 hours of work done today. You will use online resources to identify as many [YOUR TARGET] in [YOUR GEOGRAPHY OR INDUSTRY]. Collate the data in a Google Spreadsheet with: Company Name, Website Link, Name, and personal contact details. Share the spreadsheet with me at the start of the project."

  3. Select a Freelancer: From the responses (there will be a lot, quickly), choose a freelancer with a strong track record – earned at least $5,000 and have positive feedback. Their rate should be under $4.00 an hour. (5 minutes)

  4. Set Up a Contract: Restrict the contract to five hours of work and initiate it. (5 minutes)

  5. Review the Results: Take a look at what's been accomplished. (3 minutes)

  6. Voila! You’ve now done more than 99% of people who talk about using global talent.

Unleashing the Power of Simplicity

This exercise is not just about the end results but understanding the ease and efficiency of using global talent.

Embrace simplicity.

Build momentum.

Keep Going.

Yallah Habibi, let’s go!

Yours in Global Talent,

Jon

P.S. No calls this week. On Sabbatical.

Passage of the Week, by Bianca Sparacino.