When I was a kid, there was a head shop in our neighborhood called The Great Train Robbery. Perched in their window was a black light poster that featured two seedy-looking vultures lurking on the limb of a dead tree. One says to the other, “Patience, my ass. I'm gonna kill something.”
Years later, I'm reminded of this poster when I think about all the time and effort we spend marketing online with blogs, vlogs, and social media instead of concentrating on our businesses. After all, constantly screaming into the Internet void is fine and good (and occasionally productive) but ultimately you have to make your own luck. Yes, some folks have been successful by simply sitting at home broadcasting their opinions, but those anomalies are few and far between. Just like those hungry dayglo vultures, if you and I want to eat, we have to go out and actually do something about it. And it doesn't matter if you're looking for customers for your law firm, your medical office, real estate brokerage, keynote speaking, hotel, or private school, it's all the same. Sitting on your perch and waiting ain't gonna cut it.
Are you a writer or a waiter?
For example, maybe you fancy yourself a writer and want to write the next great American novel. If that's the case, you need to do is sit down, write the book, and then go out and sell it. If you prefer to wait around expecting the muse to strike and a publisher to come to you, then you're a waiter, not a writer.
Louis L'Amour, author of 89 novels, 14 short-story collections, and two nonfiction books said, “Start writing no matter what. Water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
The vultures in my childhood said, “Patience, my ass. I'm gonna kill something.”
What do you say?
Good point, Bruce Turkel!
Would love to elaborate, but I’m busy killing something.
vc
stop riding on the local and get on the express. Never put off until tomorrow what you can get done today……tomorrow will bring its’ own ” to do ” list
Definitely right on target again Bruce
Makes me want to hire you !
Best,
Stan
Oh Bruce, this totally hit home today as I and the team I work were vying for upcoming assignments all at once. Shot your graphic out on the Slack thread and it got lots of laughs just prior to the assignment list (with articles up for grabs) went live. Yes, write. Write now. Right now. It’s a good life.
This may be overly dramatic but “The meek shall inherit the earth; but only what is left by the assertive …”. I concur, luck is when opportunity meets preparation.
Hi Bruce,
I love your funny creative piece that speaks to truth. It reminds me of the John Wannamaker quote, “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.” We are finding a lot of business leaders attend South Florida Business & Wealth events because they want to meet face to face with decision makers rather than perching in a tree. It’s still all about connecting people. We’ve found balancing traditional print (yes, people do read magazines!), exclusive events and carefully targeted digital is our recipe for success.
Love this! Thanks for the inspiration.