If you haven't implemented it, it's still a new idea.

For those who know me very well you know that I struggle sometimes with the pressure of coming up with new and different ways to view a very old topic- selling, marketing and motivating others.  I struggle with it because every time I go into a bookstore or read something on-line, it is stuff I have heard, read or taught for a long time.

So why is it that shelves stay full of ideas and concepts that have been taught for two or three generations now? Because so much of it is read, but little of it is implemented. 

I LOVE to read Tom Peters.  He's got that wonderful irreverent style that basically says "I can sugar coat this for you, but why?"  Tom has a great slide in one of his decks that says "Remember the other 98%"  Great ideas when heard or read often start a fire within us that inspires us to want to change something or make a difference.  But for some reason as we get moments away from the inspired thought it begins to waif and it slowly disappears.  In the end, the great idea or thought never makes to work, the team, the office, or our business.  It's the other 98%.  

The 98% I speak of is implementation.  Implementation is hard work.  It takes some planning, but more importantly it takes the courage to break through the inertia of doing nothing.  

I have been blessed to be on the national speaking circuit for a number of years talking about some really great stuff.  However, when I get off the stage and go into the real world I find little of it has transferred over.  The concepts are proven, I know they work because when implemented they show great results. So why is it we want to find out about the next best thing when we haven't implemented the basics yet?

Look at the tried and true ideas.  They are tired and true for a reason- because they work.  They are not old, tired or "old school" if you haven't implemented them.  To the contrary, they are new, fresh and impactful!

I guess that is why the book shelves are still full of ideas that have come full circle.  

Good selling.