We like to think that we’d love a long list of achievements, but most people have a longer list of alibis.
Why haven’t you finished writing that book?
Why haven’t you run with that business idea?
Why haven’t you quit the job you hate?
Why haven’t you write that one email?
Do you really want achievement or do you want an alibi?
Achievement scares people.
Achievement and shipping your idea/project means it’s finished. That it’s out for the world to judge. It means you might fail.
And nothing is lonelier than failure.
So instead of shipping, we create alibis–little stories of why we “can’t” today, which indefinitely becomes tomorrow.
Shipping is temporary. Once we’ve shipped, we have to prove ourselves again and again.
Alibis are forever. Good alibis can permanently keep you from proving your worth.
But history doesn’t remember good alibis. We honor those who ship often.
Do you want achievement or an alibi? Both take work–only one has lasting value.
Connect with me on Twitter: @BenNesvig
