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Just Jump In!

Just Jump In!

Jump in

“It wouldn’t work for me”

“My niche doesn’t do things like that”

“Our audience won’t like it”

Have you ever not tried something out of fear of failure? Are people you trust telling you to try something but you are holding back?

A few times this week I have asked people if they have ever tried different things and each time they have told me that either something wouldn’t work or that they were afraid that it might not work out the way they hoped.

I can fully understand, I have spoken many times on my blog about Analysis Paralysis, something I find a continual challenge to overcome. My friend Raj and I have been planning a venture for months. Just planning. We don’t seem to get further than that :) (Tip: Include a “doer” in your team of “thinkers”!). I can manage other peoples projects far better than I can my own it seems.

Think of things you could be doing but haven’t tried out of fear:

See Also

  • Approach potential advertisers – Upside: Profits, Downside: Potential Rejection
  • Contact a fellow blogger – Upside: Interview, link, networking …, Downside: Potential Rejection
  • Try affiliate marketing – Upside: Profit, diversified revenue, Downside: Audience Rejection

I could go on, but at the core is usually “what will x think?” or “I don’t like rejection”. Is a momentary embarrassment enough to stop you going for the upside?

Fact is there comes a time for action. Certainly look at all the upsides, downsides, mitigate the risks. You need to make an educated leap, of course, but do not allow doubts to stop you dipping your toe in the water. If you have to, try with a pseudonym of embarrassment is the issue.

The time will never be perfect so there is no time like the present. Do it now. Jump in!

View Comments (2)
  • Great article and very timely. This is something that I am struggling with right now – maybe I should just jump in and see if I sink or swim!

    I think that one of the fickle things about web content is deciding how much time to give something to catch on. It seems to be a common belief that the internet will offer overnight success but I don’t believe it.

    My question would be – how long should you commit to a project/face that rejection before you move on? Obviously that’s a very personal decision but what’s a good guideline?

  • I’ve found that one way to move pass that initial paralysis is to think out the very question that Shane raises: how long a trial should you commit to, when jumping in to something new? Yes, it’s a personal decision, but it’s worthwhile to try to work out in advance just what would constitute ‘success’ in your particular situation, and/or how much ‘rejection’ will be enough to indicate that the experiment should be ended. Put numbers on it, and specific details. Obviously this is easier when making a change to an existing project, because you’ve got some metrics for a starting point, but with a new venture you’re likely to want to make a bit of a business plan in any case. And that will help to nial down what you can afford to invest in the way of time, effort, and money – and what results you’ll need to see, in what period of time. If you don’t have your neck on the line, however, I’d be inclined to say that any upward trend is a good enough reason to press on with it.

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