There has never been a time in history when knowledge was getting commoditized faster.

Some amazing technique that didn’t even exist one year ago is now in a bookstore book for $12.95. Then it’s on somebody’s blog for free.

Suddenly, because there’s no price tag, you can’t even tell whether it has value or not. A million dollar edge in 2007 earns you 25 cents in 2011.

If you do everything “by the book” not only are you operating on last year’s knowledge, you’re applying it within the limits of your own perspective.

The worst part of this is:

Constantly doubting yourself. Never being quite sure if your next move is the right move, or if it’s even a good one. When you’re isolated, you’ve got a bullseye on your head. A lot of folks step in an exploit that sense of isolation.

Where do you get power to step forward with boldness?

I can tell you where I get my confidence: From my board of directors. The eyes, ears and brains who study my plans and poke holes in them. Guys who question my assumptions and refuse to drink my pink koolaid.

Do you have a board of directors? Who do YOU compare yourself to?

Do you have someone to benchmark yourself against?

When you’re stumped, who do you call?

If you don’t have crisp answers to all these questions…. that’s the very next puzzle you need to solve.

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” -Solomon

Perry Marshall

About the Author

Perry Marshall has launched two revolutions in sales and marketing. In Pay-Per-Click advertising, he pioneered best practices and wrote the world's best selling book on Google advertising. And he's driven the 80/20 Principle deeper than any other author, creating a new movement in business.

He is referenced across the Internet and by Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, INC and Forbes Magazine.