Latest in the series on Smashing Paradigms. For my story-telling explanation of the definition of a Paradigm, see “What is a Paradigm“. One way of defining a paradigm is “we’ve always done it this way”
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Say what? huh? What is Tom talking about today?
“the less time you take, the more you can charge”
Over the last two days, I have talked about inspiration from Ben Hogan and Michael Jordan, two all-time greats in their sports of Golf and Basketball.
Both were athletes who not only practised more than anyone else, but they did it mindfully, always with a focus on improvement, or “Deliberate Practice“.
Malcolm Gladwell has a hypothesis called the 10,000 hours rule, broadly that it takes that amount of practice time to become a true master of any skill.
Combine such a huge amount of practice with that being “deliberate practice” and that mastery is of huge value.
Masters also can, seemingly innately, listen and synthesise what you tell them exceedingly quickly, often finding you your answer with laser-like incisiveness in a short period of time.
Tell me, would you rather have someone without that level of mastery bill you by the hour for all their time with you for the weeks, months, years to get the result you need? Or, would you prefer to pay more for a master to do it with lightning speed?
In our world where so much is about “billing for time”, how about paying for value, where the higher impact and faster the value received, the more you would pay?
I know I would. I know I have.
So, yesterday I wrote about Michael Jordan. He retired 20 years ago this year, so typically people who were not around to truly appreciate his growth across his 15 year NBA career may see highlight reels of shots made that each last a few seconds. However, I studied him intently through his career and he grew and grew as a player and leader continuously, with what separated him from everyone else is his commitment to improvement. Do consider this quote from Jordan:
“Champions do not become champions when they win an event, but in the hours, weeks, and months, and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely a demonstration of their championship character.”
Hours, weeks, months and years… to make that championship winning play that takes moments and is priceless.
In closing today, I leave you with this story. $10,000 for work which took a second.
Why?….
