In Business, Does the Early Bird Get the Worm?
Damian Andrews
Sliding Elephants through Eyes of Needles | Finalist 2023 Business Excellence Awards | Author - Get the Cheese: Let the Other Mouse Go First! & Get Sh*t Done: Stop Asking 'Why?' & StartUp Success: Unlock the Big 3 T's
“Embrace the dawn with hope because today brings new possibilities.” – Bella, the determined Robin.
Lessons from “Get the Cheese - Let the Other Mouse Go First! - Demotivation Motivation for Life and business" A Damian Andrews book.
Chapter 1 Summary
“The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese”
A detailed understanding of the market and its genuine needs, leads to greater chances of success. Steve Jobs created the hugely successful iPod by observing and learning from the market. Apple then delivered what the market wanted. Travel with Bella, the persistent robin and have fun with Lana and Milo, brother and sister mice with different perspectives on risk. The chapter explores what made the iPod successful and gives you many useful and actionable takeaways to implement the lessons of the Early Bird and the First and Second Mice. Today we explore:
Bella’s story
Bella is a determined and disciplined robin living in Thistlebrook Meadow. Her home inside a hollow on the side of the Grand Oak is neat and organised. Each morning she wakes early with the thought of breakfast. Her effort and persistence do not prevent many challenges she will face. When things don’t go her way, Bella reflects and reminds herself that each day offers new opportunities. Plus rather than dwelling on outcomes that didn’t go her way, there are a multitude of other options if she has an innovative mindset.
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Bella’s Lessons
1. Persistence Pays Off
Bella's commitment to her daily affirmations and her dedication in her morning routine, reaffirm her focus on the goals she wants. This daily reminder, creates stronger connections between who she was and who she needs to be to achieve her objective. In addition to creating a stronger connection to her goal everyday, each day she is getting closer to the achievement of her goal.
2. Prepare for the Unexpected
Bella’s narrow escapes from life threatening situations were not luck. She had prepared and trained consistently. Doing so enabled her to intuitively react without waiting for conscious thoughts. She knows being prepared is essential. Continued training, learning new ideas and taking on new approaches will always put her in good stead to better overcome the next curveball.
3. Being the Early Bird doesn’t always mean getting the Worm
Bella always rose first, to give herself a better opportunity to secure breakfast. It can also mean she is setting an easy path for others to follow. Others could swoop in and take the worm right from under her. She’s aware that sometimes you don’t get the worm but there are always more opportunities.
4. Face Challenges Head-On
There are times when Bella was confronted with danger. She didn't hesitate or run away. Bella quickly assessed what was happening and then took decisive action. Bella knows that success requires that she quickly determine what is happening and then make a decision. She has developed in her mind an automatic approach that when challenges arise, Bella tackles them immediately.
5. Every Day is a New Beginning
Some days Bella has many challenges which stop her from achieving her objective. Sometimes she just doesn’t get the worm. Even when she doesn’t succeed Bella reminds herself that there is always hope for tomorrow. Bella recognises that resilience is not always succeeding but rather it is a willingness to have another go. She knows that bad days come and go and that the dawn always brings another chance to succeed.
6. Stay Innovative
When things didn’t go Bella's way, the missed opportunity spawned a different outcome that could benefit Bella. Bella maintains a mindset that events are just events and there is opportunity in all events if she remains open to seeing the possibilities. She is alway looking for inspiration in every situation.
The Sun Will Come Up
You might be a CEO or a start up entrepreneur, yet there are always challenges that may bear down on you. Sometimes, no matter how early you start, you simply don’t get the worm. When things don’t go as planned, the sun will come up tomorrow, casting new light over your meadow. With the new day you will be presented with fresh opportunities to seize helping you move toward your objectives.
Bella’s Action Steps
1. Embrace Change
Identify where you are resistant to change (personal and business).
Make a habit of doing something differently, maybe tie up your left shoelace first (or right if you normally do your left first).
Notice how you feel when you do something different. Embrace that initial uncomfortable feeling.
2. Persistence Pays Off
Break bigger goals into chucks that enable you to reward yourself every day. Reward the 'effort' you took.
When something doesn’t go your way, ask yourself how you can use that to get what you want.
3. The Value of Patience
When you feel tense because things are not happening fast enough, take a few moments to relax.
Turn off technology alerts and make specific time in the day to look at emails and messages instead of constantly checking.
If you feel frustrated waiting (in line, in traffic), take a deep breath and focus on clarifying your objectives.
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4. Learn from Others
Have a coach or mentor (the best in any field always do).
Engage in discussions and learn from different points of view.
5. Observational Power
With a quiet mind, truly observe what’s happening. Take in more than what’s on the surface.
Practice making note of things you ordinarily wouldn’t notice to help expand your awareness.
6. Take Calculated Risks
Before you make a decision, list the pros and cons of taking that action.
Ask for guidance from someone experienced before making major decisions.
Learn more about the area and its risks before embarking down the road.
7. Build Resilience
Change your perception from good and bad to, 'it’s just an event' to more quickly open your mind to what you can learn from the event.
Pay close attention to your thoughts, focus on and expand ‘you can’ thoughts.
Regularly congratulate yourself for effort you have taken.
8. Understand the Importance of Timing
Push fear of missing out (FOMO) thoughts aside. There are always other opportunities.
Objectively assess the landscape to determine if the time is right. Be mindful of your optimism bias.
Review your priorities. The market evolves, remain agile to change your approach if needed.
INNOVATION GENIUS
Like Bella, creativity sparks groundbreaking solutions for your business to disrupt and thrive. Innovation Genius gives you strategies to turn challenges into opportunities.
Develop a Visionary Perspective, understand Market Insights, Optimise Resources and Anticipate Problems before they explode.
We believe in Innovation Genius so much it comes with a 100% money back guarantee
Plus, we have developed a unique system using Micro-Learning, Social-Learning, and Gamification so changes are rapidly implemented in your business.
If it’s not unreasonable for you to learn more about how Innovation Genius can have a dramatic impact on growing your business revenue and profit, please feel free to reach out. We’d love to chat and understand how we can help your businesses keep up and thrive.
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Founder @ TrackMage | I help DTC ecommerce brands create memorable post-purchase experiences, foster repeat business, customer loyalty, boost sales and streamline ops with TrackMage.
1ySo true, Damian! In eCommerce, it mirrors the idea that success isn't just about being first, but understanding and adapting to customer needs. Consistent evolution is crucial!
56K + Followers Previously Senior Quality Assurance Verifier - Aecon Utility Engineering
1yGood read Damian Andrews
Board Member @ Grow Still | Managing Director at ParkAndPick
1yEarly birds grinds its teeth!