I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
Everything That's Not an Elephant
The other week I spent the afternoon binge-watching the HBO Now show "Julia" with my mom.
It was actually the second time watching for me and mom's first.
In one of the episodes, Julia's editor Judith Jones meets with her most prestigious client, a young John Updike, fresh off the success of his National Book Award-winning debut novel "Rabbit Run."
Judith is giving Updike some sage insight into how he might improve his follow-up effort, "Rabbit Redux."
Updike looks at her with amazement on his face and says, "You certainly know what's not an elephant."
The first time I watched this episode, I didn't pay much attention to that line.
The second time, I sat up and actually noted it on my smartphone.
Supposedly, when asked about the difficulty of creating a beautiful sculpture from a block of stone, an artist replied:
"It's easy. You just cut away everything that's not an elephant."
Or whatever it is you're trying to depict.
But, even when you have the right tools and skills, this is far easier said than done.
Firstly, you need to have a clear vision of the elephant in the hunk of rock.
Secondly, you need to maintain that vision even when you're chipping away at the details of the trunk, or legs, or tail.
And that's where it's helpful to have the right kind of support.
To have a Judith Jones, as it were, to give you sage advice, keep you on track, and hold you accountable to your own goals and ambitions.
So you don't lose sight of the larger purpose in all the details of trying to get things done.
I was reminded of this recently when a client asked me whether I thought the price for a new offer she created worked.
That is, of course, my job.
So, I helped my client ideate a new offer at the same price point that's in keeping with the business she wants to build—her elephant, so to speak.
So, my question to you is—Who's your Judith Jones?
If you don't have one, you're doing yourself and your business a disservice.
And, if you do, consider how well they truly know what's not your elephant.
Until next week, keep one eye on the prize and the other on your path to attain it.
PS - Last week, I encouraged you to approach sales Like a Fish to Water.
PPS - Need a Judith Jones of your own? Why not get in touch with me?
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Easily Said & Done
I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
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