Why You Should Only Implement 10%
A lot of people feel GUILTY. All the time.
Why?
Because they have all these courses, books and training, and have gone to a bunch of seminars and haven’t hardly implemented any of it.
Guilt. Blame. Self condemnation.
Well, if you’ve done NONE of it, you *should* feel guilty, and get your hind end in gear.
But if you’re like most successful people, you’ve done 10-20%, and you’ve probably skimmed the best cream off the top. So if you lock yourself in your cave resolving to do the other 80-90% before you get more education, you’re violating 80/20. And you’re stuck.
Case in point:
In my office I have something like 1000 books.
I’ve read maybe 200 of them cover to cover. I still have yet to crack 200 and the rest I’ve only skimmed.
That’s about right. That’s perfect 80/20 implementation. (It also means I’ve read several of them 5-10 times.)
I could completely stop going to masterminds, stop buying books, stop buying courses and attending seminars for the next 5 years. I suppose, in theory, I’ve got so much existing material I could just coast on that.
But I would never, ever do that. Ever. Here’s why:
1) I am ALWAYS watching for the opportunity to sweep a $1 million strategy off the table, in favor of a $10 million strategy.
2) The education and information I’ve collected to date reflects my state of mind in this year, last year, the year before, etc. It does not reflect the evolution that I must make next year and beyond.
3) Quantum leaps always involve rejecting the good in favor of the great. Almost every quantum leap I’ve ever experienced has been a direct result of being with other people in a context of brotherhood and camaraderie and iron sharpens iron with highly competent, sharp people.
So when I go to a seminar or mastermind, if my mind is in top shape, I’m prepared to re-interpret everything I THINK I know in terms of some new, groundbreaking insight. I am actively looking for that insight.
That’s how I keep my diamond-tipped saw blade sharp.
That’s a strategy that will serve you well.
Perry Marshall
P.S.: Almost none of this has anything to do with “The internet is constantly changing” and all that hype. That is an extremely shallow reason. Yes, I could make that argument but frankly I’m not interested in learning much of ANYTHING that is going to be obsolete in a year. And you shouldn’t either. Not unless you want to keep rebuilding your lame-o digital shanty town lemonade stand every six months for the rest of your life.
That is NOT what this is about. This is about expanding your capacity to absorb and implement deeper principles, larger strategies, and become so AGILE that nothing can stop you.
About the Author
Entrepreneur Magazine says: "Perry Marshall is the #1 author and world's most-quoted consultant on Google Advertising. He has helped over 100,000 advertisers save literally billions of dollars in Adwords stupidity tax."
He is referenced across the Internet and by The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune and Forbes Magazine.
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Curious what the books you’ve read 5-10 times are Perry? Scientific Advertising is one I’m sure…..: )
http://www.perrymarshall.com/24614/books-ive-read-5-times/
Hi Perry,
Thanks for this post. I was about to feel guilty about purchasing a few courses I haven’t go through completely yet.
But at some point in the future I’ll connect the dots, as Steve Jobs used to say.
Cheers,
Marcelo
Nice application of the 80/20 principle. Great post.
This is by far one of the best articles I read recently about business implementation and self improvement. I struggled for years with guilt and self blame, and therefore procrastination – because the information I absorbed with my mind though books, webinars, coaching programs etc – was huge compared with very little implementation I did – and to make things worse, I felt compelled to deliberately avoid any implementation before completely 100% reading and understanding everything. Of course, that made things worse…Your post was perfectly inline with what I need right now. Thanks
HI, Perry,
I’ve been hanging around Planet Perry since about 2007…and I’m always surprised (but probably shouldn’t be) when you hit a nerve.
This post hit a nerve.
I too, have a library ( but only about 300 books) in my office…and they stare at me every day, challenging my manhood:
“Dude, why haven’t you done what you read in me? You know I’m right! What’s your problem, you slacker!”
The result: Paralysis
It’s like eating three thanksgiving day feasts for lunch, and then having to choose between going for a 5 mile run or sitting and watching the Lions lose another one…
Thanksgiving Day coma-on-the-couch wins every time! (closely followed by guilt, self-loathing and remorse.)
Your advice on only trying to implementing 10% makes a ton of sense. It’s akin to talking a walk around the block a couple times (instead of the 5 mile run), followed by watching the second half of the Lions game.
Thanks once again, Perry!
Rod
80.20 all the way.
We are moving target, work in progress a collection of concepts and misconceptions. As we evolve and grow each bit of teaching can affect us in a new way. Dan Kennedy five years ago told me this, now he tells me that. Dan is still saying the same thing but i have changed.
Scan, take the cream, bin the rubbish, keep on file the good stuff and when you are ready it comes to the surface again.
I love the idea of immersion in one teachers set ideas. Till you could say them in your sleep, but web teaching is not like that it is more superficial, guilt ridden and shallow.
Nailed it. I was reminded this week, “Don’t let the Perfect be the enemy of the Good.”
Definitely agree, I’ve been trying to stack & arrange my life according to 80/20 (prioririds like spiritual health, psychological health, physical health etc…and the results are are conclusive with what ur saying Perry thanks a lot and keep em coming!
ditto
I don’t feel so alone now after collecting $200k worth of stuff (my wife calls it crap) and only getting thru 10% of it. so,far that is. seriously.
Heads up eyes open, couldn’t ‘ t agree more with importance of being mindful in choice we make in self- development and what we do to invest in lifelong lerarning, but it is more important to use what we learn, and integrate it into daily habit forming.
For me work in progress, and this both personal and professional stakes, I ve recently qualified in Tai Chi Movement for Wellbeing teaching, as well as attended workshops in marketing success, mind body and soul vital
OH Perry, you are refreshing in this post. What you wrote is wise advice on business and life! Thanks!
I have studied so much that I have no idea what to do with it all.
Seems pointless in retrospect.
Wish I had just bought some houses to fix up instead or gone on some nice vacations.