Issue 9 - The Potentialist Unleashing Untapped Business Power
“Vision without execution is hallucination.” - Thomas Edison
The Potentialist: Activate Your Power – Shift from Thought to Action.
Are You Drowning in “Thinking” About Your Business, Instead of “Doing” It?
Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels? You’re busy, constantly juggling tasks, attending meetings, answering emails – yet at the end of the day, the needle hasn’t really moved on your key business goals. If this sounds familiar, you might be caught in the common entrepreneurial trap of working “on” your business (endless thinking, planning, and reacting) rather than “in” it (focused, purposeful doing).
It’s an easy pitfall. The modern business landscape is a whirlwind of potential distractions. New shiny objects, urgent-but-not-important tasks, and the constant pressure to “strategize” can pull us away from the core activities that actually drive results. We fall behind, situations escalate, and suddenly we’re in reactive mode, firefighting instead of building. Even worse, we can get misdirected, pouring energy into inconsequential aspects that, while perhaps interesting, don’t contribute to our primary objectives. We end up polishing the chrome when the engine needs an oil change.
The old adage holds true: spend 80 percent of your time on revenue-generating activities and 20 percent on everything else. This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a powerful framework for success. But how do you ensure you’re actually living by it? How do you shift from a state of reactive “on-business” thinking to proactive “in-business” doing?
The Antidote: A Tangible Plan and Purposeful Action
The single most crucial component to effectively working “in” your business is having a plan. Not a vague idea in your head, but something tangible – written down, accessible, and reviewed regularly. This plan is your North Star, your roadmap that keeps you on track when the inevitable distractions try to pull you off course. It defines your goals, outlines your strategies, and clarifies what truly matters.
With a solid plan in place, the next step is to follow it. This sounds simple, but it requires discipline and a commitment to prioritize. This is where the Daily Action List becomes your superpower.
The Daily Action List: Your Blueprint for "Doing"
Your Daily Action List isn’t just a to-do list; it’s a strategic breakdown of what needs to be accomplished today to move you closer to the goals outlined in your overarching plan. Here’s how to make it work:
Identify Your Actions: Based on your plan, what specific tasks must be completed? Be granular. “Grow sales” is a goal; “Call 5 qualified leads” is an action.
Prioritize Ruthlessly (Priority 1, 2, 3): Not all tasks are created equal. Ask yourself:
Priority 1: What must get done today to significantly impact revenue or achieve a critical milestone? These are your non-negotiables.
Priority 2: What are the important tasks that support your P1s or address other key objectives? These are next in line.
Priority 3: What are the necessary but less urgent tasks? These can often be batched or delegated if possible.
Focus heavily on those P1s that align with the 80% revenue-generating activities.
Schedule Strategically: Once you know what to do and its priority, you need to decide when is the best time to do it. This is where many well-intentioned plans fall apart.
Example: If making sales calls is your Priority #1 for the day, scheduling them for 6:00 AM is likely irrational and ineffective. Your prospects aren’t available, and you might not be at your peak communicative energy. Perhaps 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM is your golden window for outreach.
Block out time for deep work on P1 tasks, minimizing interruptions.
Batch similar tasks: dedicate a specific time slot for emails, another for administrative work, etc. This reduces context-switching and improves efficiency.
Execute and Follow Through: This is where the magic happens. You have your plan, your prioritized actions, and your schedule. Now, you must do the work.
Focus on one P1 task at a time.
Resist the urge to jump to easier, less important tasks.
Track your progress. Ticking items off your list provides a sense of accomplishment and momentum.
The “Thinking” in Working “IN” Your Business
It’s crucial to understand that working “in” your business isn’t about mindless, robotic execution. There’s a vital element of thinking involved, but it’s a different kind of thinking. It’s not the detached, abstract “thinking on” your business that leads to paralysis by analysis. Instead, it’s applied thinking – problem-solving in real-time, adapting to new information as you execute, and learning directly from the actions you take. You’re thinking while doing, making smart decisions within the flow of your work, guided by your plan.
The Transformation: From Overwhelmed to Accomplished
When you consistently create a plan, break it down into daily prioritized actions, schedule those actions intelligently, and then diligently follow through, something incredible happens. The fog of overwhelm begins to lift. You’ll find yourself less reactive and more proactive. You’ll see tangible progress on your most important goals.
You’ll be amazed at what can be accomplished when you are actively engaged in your business, driven by a clear plan and purposeful action, rather than constantly orbiting around it in a state of perpetual, unproductive thought. Shift your focus from just “thinking on it” to strategically “doing in it,” and watch your business – and your sense of accomplishment – soar.
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