During a planning meeting last week, a close friend and I were discussing a new business venture. He said something simple yet profound, “It is hard to learn how to play the game when you are not in the game.” Oh, how true! In high school, I played several sports. You could practice as much as possible but nothing provided you experience like game time. You really learn how to play any game by actually playing the game. I think it is better to be on the junior varsity team and see more game time than make the varsity team and ride the bench. The kids that make that choice are usually a lot better by their senior year. There is nothing like actual game time to improve your skills and get valuable experience.
Are you in the game or sitting on the sidelines? Are you waiting for the “perfect” opportunity? Are you trying to sort through the “right” entity structure and making sure your plans are perfect before you start? You will make mistakes – it is part of the learning process. Don’t be afraid to start small (junior varsity). It is more important to be playing in the game than being on the “varsity team”. Start playing the game you want to play today because “It is hard to learn how to play the game when you are not in the game.” Game on!
That’s my Monday Thoughts.