3% of all business owners make 84% of all private biz income. Why? They’re not covering for unknown weaknesseses.
Wouldn’t it be great if...
Random Hope is a lousy business strategy.
Info
This article was published on December 23, 2010. So far, 3 people have left their thoughts. Share your own thoughts.
Chapter Six in my next book, Bad Plans Carried Out Violently, is about Conation, the most important business word you’ve never heard. Its antonym is just as obscure and just as critical for you to know – velleity.
Our whole community of business owners use this phrase all the time:
You get what you intend, not what you hope for.
Nothing could describe the above better than two of the 1,000 most obscure words in the English language – conation and velleity (vel-lee-ity).
Conation is “Committed Movement in a Purposeful Direction”. The dictionary says its the desire plus the volition at the same time. I know I want to do it because I already am. I don’t need to desire it and get all motivated. I just do it because I want it.
Velleity is the desire with no intention of ever doing anything about it. It’s the exact opposite of conation. Wouldn’t it be nice if things worked out better next year? Wouldn’t it be nice if I only worked half as much as I do now? Would it be nice if… that’s velleity.
What’s the difference between a visionary and a dreamer? A visionary is already doing it (conation) and a dreamer is talking about how nice it would if… (velleity).
You get what you intend, not what you hope for.
CONATION < – - – - – - – - – > VELLEITY
Conate.
Add Your Own
Thoughts
Jan Rossi
12/27/10
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way.” – Goethe
The quote above comes to mind when I read your post Chuck. I had it in my three ring binder as I was meeting with bankers and accountants and possible landlords – trying to get my business started 14 years ago….and this quote inspired me…it inspired me to DO things…not to just “wait and see”. And as you DO things – there are other events that SEEM TO fall into place for you….but you see they never would have “fallen into place” if I had not MADE a MOVE to get my business up and running.
Yes, there are those people that sit back and “wish” – and they read that silly secret book thinking that if they “wish” it…it will just “poof” happen…HA!
New Year’s Resolution – make things happen everyone! Happy New Year!
Jen Orvis
12/27/10
As you have said before, the simple things are often profound. This is a simple thing that make a HUGE difference.
Just Do It! Get moving. (Gosh, one of those sounds familiar. There must be someone else that gets the power of action with intention.)
Chuck
12/30/10
Jan,
Great resolution! – Make things happen. We forget we can make that rule. And it’s always the simple rules that are the most profound.
Make it happen!