Don’t “make it happen”

Hi there. I'd like to share one very small change that can have a very big effect on the professional outcomes you're pursuing.

We live in a hustle culture. That is what it is, and for the most part, that's a good thing. I tell my kids that work beats talent every time. Talent is, at best, a two-year head start. If you're a naturally gifted free-throw shooter, you're going to be the star of the court until about fourth grade. Then the kid who turns on the lights to go out and shoot an extra 50 before bed is going to pass you, and will stay ahead of you forever because of that work ethic. Put talent and work together, and there's the sweet spot.

However, all this work, work, work can sometimes be counterproductive. There's a phrase in common usage (I've said it myself God knows how many times) that can actually work against us a little bit, and one tweak gets it working for us. Here it is: "Make it happen." "I'm going to make it happen." "I'm making it happen."

The problem with "make it happen" is that it implies and assumes that without your effort, it's not going to happen. It's going to sit there. It has inertia; it's sitting still. It has no momentum. Just... blah. So you have to make it happen. You have to supply the energy and effort that will get this thing rolling, whether that means getting a new job, closing a prospect, landing a donation, or what have you.

Change one little word. Take "make it happen" and turn it into "let it happen." You're not going to take your foot off the gas. You're going to keep doing all the things you do. But "let it happen" shows that, deep down, you understand this is going to work. It creates a belief in the eventual outcome, and a faith in its momentum, that gives you an inner stillness and confidence. That comes through when you talk to other people. They can hear it in your tone of voice, your inflection, and the micro-expressions on your face.

So give that a try. Next time you want to make it happen, just let it happen. All right, give that a shot. See you next time.

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