dispatches from the new world of work

100 Ways to Succeed #115:

What the Hell!

At some point today (today!), despite "overload" ... just say, "what the hell" and go for it in some way or other.

(Likewise, worry if it's been more than a week or so since you said to yourself, "what the hell.")

Tom Peters posted this on 04/24/08.

Comments

Thanks for the thought. It's always good to avoid the paralysis of analysis. "First thought, best thought" as the Zen people say.

Posted by tom Maloney at April 24, 2008 10:22 AM

Had lunch with a couple of co-workers who kept talking about the great things they wanted to do: publish a book, go into consulting, move into a new field. We had that same converstion 2 years ago. Somethimes you have to say WTH, and pull a Nike (Just Do It). There are a million excuses of why you can't/should't/won't do it but at the end of the day WTH. Those that do "do", those that don't "don't"; seems simple to me.

Posted by RT at April 25, 2008 7:28 AM

Love it RT - you are right on - it is so simple!

I have met the same sort of people throughout my career. I love this quote - sorry don't know the source.

'Some men dream of worthy accomplishments, while others stay awake and make them happen'

Posted by Trevor Gay at April 25, 2008 8:34 AM

I like that RT; had the same conversation with an old friend today. He's stuck in a rut, got a dream to do his own thing, heard him say it before, but he hasn't acted on it. I said to him 'WTH! If your heart says do it, DO IT!'

Join The What-The-Hell Brigade and you'll enrich your lives. Sure - it's scary in the 'scrambled up world of work' but... WTH!!

Posted by Ian Sanders at April 25, 2008 11:25 AM

I had dinner with a group of talented women and one of them manages a busy life running ice skating competions and is also a remarkably relaxed mother to five children. She told us her youngest son was walking out of the house, told her he forgot something then said to her suprise, "what the hell...let's go!"
Obviously, this woman uses the phrase a great deal but in fact, she does just get on with things even if it's not quite perfect.
We were joking about whtether she has a stash of happy pills as she is always happy but she tells us it her phrase - WTH. As another poster here recommends - I think I will say it this week anytime things don't go the way I want.

Posted by Jacoline Loewen at May 25, 2008 6:32 PM