First Attempt!!!

First Attempts

Attempting to do different things is as important as getting new ideas. New ideas by themselves cannot become innovation. Refinement and the subsequent product in actual use require experimenting with new things, except in the case of changes to existing products and processes. The experience of doing something for the first time is critical, but most people hesitate. The reasons could be many. I thought it would be easier to explain this through a story. This is an anecdote from my own experience.

The Story

I had a new construction done as part of modifications to my existing house. The area that was built had approximately 125 square feet of wall space. This space required painting. Getting a painter for such a small area was becoming a herculean task. I decided to do it myself. Now begin several reactions and comments that had a high chance of discouraging me from deciding to do the painting.

My family members were not sure if I could do it. Some thought it would be too difficult for me to handle.

My hardware store owner looked at me as if I had come from another planet. He said, with a smile, to try.

The products and tools available were not DIY, do it yourself, friendly. I had to figure it out myself. Somehow I did not hesitate in seeking help from a friend of mine who is in the construction business. I looked into the printed instructions on the containers of the raw material. I was not sure how to decide whether my work output was okay, so I chose to seek feedback from my family members.

Traits That Helped

I needed to use the following traits and behaviors to manage the challenges mentioned above.

• Remained firm and focused on what I decided
• Allowed for additional wastage of material, since efficiency was not important. It is never important in a first attempt
• Did not hesitate in seeking help. I asked the hardware shop fellow, a painter in his shop, and a friend of mine
• Enjoyed and celebrated every milestone in the process. There were gaps, but I learnt and filled them in as I went along
• Did not hurry, and was patient enough to follow the advice of experienced people

What This Means for Organisations

In most organisations, when you want to do something different, or the same thing in a different way, you will experience the same reactions.

Your bosses and colleagues are likely to tell you not to attempt it. They use the term risk for that. Innovators do take risk. Learn to take risk.

You will have a lot of people, within and outside your organisation, who can help. Do not hesitate in taking their help. It does not matter how they help you. What matters is that the help is available in any form.

You have to decide and choose the path and the step.

Celebrate even if it is a small milestone. Do not worry if others join in or not. You must celebrate. Celebration is the biggest source of motivating yourself.

You must not hurry and take shortcuts. Searching for shortcuts can land you in trouble. Shortcuts and hastiness are the enemies of sustainable success.