The labor it used to take to simply set something up is lost on this next generation. I can tell my kids don’t relate to the pain I try vainly to communicate when it comes to how hard it was to set up websites, IT systems and even getting your message out. The people that could do the work or hire it out had a strategic advantage previously.
Today, it’s easy to set up a store, a site or any other platform now. That barrier to entry has been shattered.
Everyone feels like they have a voice now. They just have to get attention and become famous or relevant, at least with the people that matter to them.
If you haven’t listened to the Tim Ferriss interview with Derek Sivers and his journey with his CD Baby venture and exit, it’s helpful perspective on how hard it was to even build a platform in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. I like how he talks about the pain and joy of building a Buy Now button for a shopping cart. It’s a simple formality today in contrast.
Now that things are easy and everyone can play, what does that mean?
As of the writing of this article, I have over 1,400 articles posted and indexed over ten years. I enjoy sharing out my thoughts and it’s been one platform that has been natural for me to maintain with consistency.
I like writing. I like reading. I like thinking. I like sharing business strategy and helping people win.
I think that’s what has made it easy and fun for me. And, I would tell people that just because there are a lot of shiny platforms out there, don’t start if you can’t even see yourself being consistent over a period of time.
Why? Because showing up is important to the process of building trust and awareness. Getting better at something you can dial into helps you build an asset over time with a connection with your tribe of connections.
Dependability and consistency become harder as you go down the journey. Having something to say becomes more of a differentiator the further you go down the rabbit hole.
We have a lot of choices and options out there. But we are still human and building trust is not so easy to come by regardless of how much content is streaming through our lives. Part of that trust building is knowing there is passion and commitment behind what you are putting into the world. If I know something is not going to be consistent from someone, then my own enthusiasm and commitment will be affected. It’s a natural reaction because I want to invest my attention and focus where there is continuity.
Of course, this doesn’t apply to everything in nature. We don’t care so much about transactional items. But when it comes to tribe building, trust and awareness, competing on consistency can differentiate you from those that are semi-committed.
So, a thought to consider. Before you start some work, can you picture yourself being consistent over time?
Will it be painful to extract yourself later? Why not think a bit about what you might start and picture whether you will be consistent with showing up?