“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education” – Albert Einstein.
When we are children our imagination and creativity has not been tampered with by education. We put A and Z together in ways schooling teaches us not to. When starting and marketing a business, try to think unconventionally because thinking like everyone else leads to doing what everyone else does. And doing what everyone else does is risky.
We are all born creative creatures with an imagination of limitless possibilities. Somewhere along the line education has focused our attention to think a certain way. To illustrate this change, look at how children respond to questions before they start school. They typically give positive responses:
- cool
- I like that
- Great
- I’m sick
Once grown up they are saying:
- not bad
- not a bad idea
- no problem
- I’m not feeling well
Don’t get me wrong, I think education is probably the most important part to becoming successful; just keep in mind it’s only a tool . . . one of many. And by education I don’t only mean schooling, education comes from parents, friends, books, etc. The problem with schooling is that it teaches us all the same thing; therefore, we all come out thinking in the same way. Makes sense, right? Try not to let this happen to you.
To illustrate unconventional thinking and how it can be useful, let’s look at planning.
Life is linear, therefore, we as humans have a tendency to think linearly (to get from point A to Z you start at A and work down the alphabet until you reach point Z). Let’s say you’re planning your business.
Your exit strategy is as follows – in 10 years you want 5 million dollars in your bank account to retire on and own your dream house free and clear.
Most people would plan their strategy in the way we typically think – linearly. We know what business we want to start, do what we need to do to get it started, and begin trying to conjure up business in hopes we reach that 10 year goal of owning that dream house and having 5 million dollars in the bank to retire on.
The problem with this strategy is you are flying blind. You know where you want to end up, you know where you have begun, but the middle is a big “?”. What you must do is fill in that middle void. How can you do that though? Here’s how.
You have to work your plan backwards.
This approach is nothing new but is seldom used or widely taught. I attended college for 6 years, took over 200 credits (i.e. I took nearly every class you can think of) and never once did a professor mention to me that I should work my plan backwards. By approaching your plan or goal in this way, you will arrive at every single step you must do in order to reach your goal, every day, every year.
In the above example, one could approach this goal by starting at the 10 year mark. You have 5 million in the bank and that house you wanted.
Now work it backwards.
You will begin to see that a map is being laid out for you.
You will see that at the 5 year point where you must be to be on track with your plan. Keep working it backwards until you reach today and this week. What must you do to reach that one year mark? The 5 year mark? etc.
Conventional thinking and education would tell us to work forward – start and organize your business and then begin making money. But business is not that straight forward. There are many obstacles and setbacks you will stumble upon and having a map will help you get back on course.
What unconventional method have you used that worked?
January 20th, 2008 at 4:54 am
Interesting concept. Is jumping in without any written or formal plan considered an unconventional method? LOL I’ve started my business based on a wish to be home for my children and still provide an extra income for my family. I still do not have a formal business plan. Unconventional? I don’t know. It’s just me.
January 20th, 2008 at 5:02 am
I agree with Colleen: I didn’t start my business with any goal of making millions.. I started it because I wanted to work for myself and the opportunity came at the right time..
And I have no “business plan”.. of course, I’ve only been at this since 1983, so it might not work out..
January 20th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Thank you for taking the time to look at my blog. As you can see it’s new.
You guys are cracking me up over here! I love it.
Colleen – I think for most small home-based businesses it is not uncommon to not have a business plan, especially if you’re not planning to expand into an . . . empire! Just make sure you market to the right people, like Seth Godin always says. Oh and by the way, nice website.
Anthony – all I have to say is LOL!!!
Like you two, I started WP Blog Host not to become rich, but to be able to spend more time with my family and do what I enjoy doing.
January 20th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Thank you for saying that my website is nice. I really appreciate that kudo. Continue writing. I’ll be back to view more blog entries.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Cool.
I don’t think James and I started our business to get rich either, it was a necessity for the both of us. He has a family to support and was tired of working as a trail guide, and I had only myself to support and was tired of red tape and office politics. We didn’t have a formal plan back then, other than the fact we both knew we could write. Through a lot of trial and error, things began to take shape.
It’s not easy, there are still headaches and hassles, but they’re our headaches and hassles, and at the end of the day you can’t beat the sense of accomplishment at a job well done.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Especially when it was something you created and accomplished.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:26 am
I imagined doing what you propose. I think this approach is somehow limiting though making things more appliable.
July 8th, 2010 at 5:55 am
I never heard of this one before, Actually I was intrigued about the title but it was worth reading. I love the idea behind the unconventional thinking, It is like creating a unique strategy that can help us stand out of the crowd.