|
This spring I spent 6-hours power washing a giant paver and blue stone patio. Oddly enough, it got me thinking about business.
Power washing is one of the ultimate forms of instant gratification.
You aim the nozzle, spray the surface, and immediately see years of dirt, grime, and mildew disappear.
The before-and-after transformation (see below) is Immediate, obvious, and oh so satisfying.
|
 |
|
So how does this relate to business?
Business rarely works that way. Very few immediate satisfaction moments in business… some… but not many.
The most important things we do as owners and leaders often have delayed results:
Most of those investments don’t give you an immediate dopamine hit (like power washing).
In fact, sometimes it feels like nothing is happening at all.
That’s why many businesses end up chasing short-term wins and fast growth instead of building something durable.
The strongest businesses are usually built through delayed gratification and long-term thinking.
The irony is that the things producing the least immediate reward often create the greatest long-term impact. You need to NOT look for immediate gratification.
Think longterm investing:
And years later, people call that “success.” But it was really just thousands of consistent decisions made for longterm success without immediate reward.
That’s the real work of building something meaningful.
If you need an immediate dopamine hit… get a power washer.
|
