What Does Dolly Say? Just Do It!

A few years ago, a colleague I adore shared some wisdom he’d received from a leader earlier in his career. I’ll miss the exact wording, but the upshot of it was that there was a long list of things you could do – with no talent element whatsoever – that would contribute mightily to your success in consulting. You could show up on time, which really means early. You could show up every time. You could make sure you looked presentable for the environment in which you were working. You could be kind and polite to the people around you. You could make your self easy to work with. You could communicate clearly so that people knew what to expect and when. You could do your best at the work that came your way.

Each of those pieces of advice is active. None of them starts with “wait for someone to…” or “wait until conditions are…” or even “when you feel ready…”. They’re all actions. Whatever kind of success you’re aiming for is going to require action. You’re going to have to show up and do. You’re going to have to do more than just think you can. You’re going to have to actually do things, both little and big. Because when you’re standing there in your success, it won’t be because you had great potential or thought big thoughts, it will be because you got out there and did.

Be like Dolly. Be the little engine that did.