Ever hear of an urban legend? Well, according to the dictionary, an urban legend is “a humorous or horrific story or piece of information circulated as though it were true.” We hear them all the time, usually associated with an individual,or often involving some type of illness everyone seems to be getting.
I’d like to share five urban legends too many people believe. These are five pretty common misconceptions about starting or running a small business, working under pressure, goal setting, shoring up weaknesses, and social media. Chances are you’re laboring under one or more of these popular misconceptions too. If that’s the case, now would be a great time to embrace the reality.
Dumb thing #1 – Everyone loves what I do – as much as I do.
Reality: No they don’t, and they won’t pay for it either.
This belief is widely held by entrepreneurs. It may be the main reason most small businesses fail in such a short time. I’m not saying small businesses are all doomed to tank, but what I am saying is, if you’ve started or intend to start a business, you’d better make sure there’s a fairly large segment of the population that wants what you have to offer. Just because you have a real love for Ethiopian cuisine doesn’t mean anyone else does. You might want to do a market study before you mortgage the house and open a restaurant.
Dumb thing #2 – I do my best work when I’m up against a deadline.
Reality: No you don’t. You just get the work done – because you have to.
When procrastination puts you up against a wall, you’ll make time to get the job, project, or whatever, done. But it won’t be your best work. It will just be…done – sort of.
When you wait until the last minute to complete an important project or task, you seldom find creative or innovative solutions. The problem just gets fixed and you get back to the status quo. Little if any improvement will take place and you’re right back where you started – but you did slide in under the deadline.
Dumb Thing #3 – I know what I have to do, so I don’t need written goals.
Reality: Yes you do.
Knowing what you need to do and doing it are two different things. Written goals have been proven time and time again to be a key to success and achievement. Brian Tracy says: “Goals are the fuel for the furnace of achievement.” There’s a big difference between “I want to reduce my debt” and “I’m going to pay off the $9,000 Visa bill in the next 90 days.” A wish has no power. A well-written goal does.
Dumb Thing #4 – I need to work on my weaknesses.
Reality: No you don’t. You’ll never turn your weaknesses into strengths.
Marcus Buckingham, author of Now Discover Your Strengths, and recognized expert in the field of performance management, has built a career debunking the myth of the importance of working on weaknesses. Instead, his years of research prove the value of identifying your strengths – then developing them. When you play to your strengths, work stops being a four-letter word.
Dumb thing #5 – Social Media is a passing fad.
Reality: No it isn’t. It’s rapidly becoming the primary way we communicate.
There’s a new way to communicate out there and it isn’t going away. It’s called social media. Facebook is quickly becoming the first line of communication for most Americans and a large percentage of the world. Facebook may replace email all together. Wise up – don’t ignore the role social media is playing and will play in the lives of everybody you know. Don’t run from it. Learn how to use it to your advantage.
Tags: performance management, small business, social media, strengths, urban legend, written goals
