Do you experience paralysis by analysis when it comes to creating and building your brand on social media? Are you letting artificial and self-imposed challenges get in the way of taking action and achieving long-term success?
Hey, you’re not alone. I let things slow me down all the time. It’s only natural, especially when doing something different and new.
Consider this story shared by 14th-century French philosopher Jean Buridan:
A donkey is standing halfway between a pile of hay and bucket of water. It looks to its left and right not able to decide which way to go. Eventually, it dies of hunger and thirst.
If the donkey could make a rational decision, it would drink the water and then eat the hay.
It’s obvious to us but not the donkey.
When it comes to learning social media, I see this type of indecision hindering people’s long-term success all the time. Do we step to the left or the right? Do we create an audio, video or written blog post?
Inaction often results in failure.
So what’s the answer? Think long-term. Enjoy the journey and take things one day at a time. Have some fun like I just did creating this video. In the end, make decisions and take action.
Social media is a long-term play. Unlike a sprint or marathon, it’s not a race and there’s no finish line. Instead, think of social media as you would a healthy eating or exercise plan. It’s an ongoing process that really doesn’t have an end.
So what’s the moral of the story? It’s simple.
When you find yourself not making decisions and standing still while trying to build out your social media brand, remember Buridan’s story and don’t allow yourself to be the donkey.
