Limitless Monday: Chop Chop

Limitless Monday – Chop Chop

In today’s article I would like to share a personal insight with you: my favorite phrase. That phrase is “chop chop”. I believe it captures my approach to life. I like the phrase so much I use it in a few other languages too; Russian, “davai-davai” and Arabic, “Yalla”.

In life, many of us dawdle. We take too much time over making decisions, completing projects, and turning ideas into reality.

We also have a tendency to assume that projects and tasks will cost more money and take more time than reality. This pessimistic assessment usually prevents us from moving forward.

I’ll give you an example.

A few years back, I was on vacation when my in-house counsel called me to tell me that she was overloaded with work so the project I had asked her to complete couldn’t possibly get done. She advised me that my new money-making idea was to be put on the back burner until further notice.

I ended the call by using my other favorite phrase, “It’s a five minute job!”, but to no avail. I was furious. I was angry for a few reasons.

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Firstly, here was an employee telling me what she was going to do and against my wishes. To be fair she was my girlfriend, so no doubt she believed she could get away with it. It was the concept of familiarity breeding contempt in action.

Secondly, the project had the possibility of making a lot of money; the longer it was delayed, the more momentum would be lost, and the idea would no doubt end up in the graveyard of unfulfilled potential.

Finally, I believed the project could be completed far quicker than she was telling me. I wanted the idea turned into a finished product in a matter of weeks, she was talking months at best.

I immediately started calling my contacts, and within 5 minutes I had an alternative team assembled to complete the task.

Ten minutes later my lawyer girlfriend called me up and asked if I had already started working on an alternative strategy. She knew me well! Miraculously she now believed she could find the time. However, it was too late. I had already made alternative arrangements. Time was of the essence.

My point here is, never let the natural negativity inherent in most rub off on you. Always question the person providing the bad news and don’t be afraid of finding alternative strategies.

Many successful entrepreneurs ignore obstacles and traditional beliefs. The pioneer believes they can produce something cheaper and quicker than they are being told by the naysayers. A lot of the time it does end up taking longer and costing more, but it doesn’t matter. The risk taker realized the impossible dream. You must follow the same approach in life. Ignore negativity, what do they know? They have never taken a massive risk in their lives!

Work on the basis that projects and ideas can be turned into reality quicker and cheaper than you are being told.

When someone says it can’t be done, either ignore them, bypass them, or fire them, and then find a way. There is always a way. Get started now. Chop chop.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Chopping wood. Image Credit – utroja0

Harry Maximillian

Harry is an author, coach, entrepreneur, comedian and a convicted felon. Harry was sent to prison for a financial crime where he spent five long years. Prison allowed Harry to realize the error of his ways. He decided to use his time productively and mobilize his extraordinary determination, dedication, drive, motivation and desire to focus on writing and the art of self-improvement. Before Harry’s enforced vacation he was one of the most prolific deal makers in the City of London.