This post is part #2 in relation to this post about Marlon Sander’s challenge. Start there if it doth maketh no sense to thee.
So – “Your Eyes Are Bigger Than Your Belly”
You know this phrase? Hopefully it’s similar in your culture to mine. Though perhaps if aliens really have landed already and are amongst us, then it may simply seem like i’m makeing a factual statement about you.
Anyway…in my culture it pretty much means you ended up putting way too much on your dinner plate than you could eat (for many people that might simply mean adding a single brussel sprout 
)
A similar scenario is easily created in a number of ways when designing digital products to sell. Things can get extremely out of hand very, very quickly.
When I decided enough was enough recently and set about cranking out Interview With An Empire despite the effects of situations around me, it soon became pretty clear that getting it done within the time-frame I set was pretty laughable (well, my wife laughed at me anyway)…
- Einstein’s Theory of DIY Crazy-Time takes effect
- Life gets in the way – unforeseen circumstances pop their ugly heads through your window
- Extra ideas start spreading like a virus in your brain – each saying “add me! add me! add me! add me!”
- The things you forgot to take account of in your planning don’t forget to make themselves apparent
One of the things that could have saved my ass on the deadline for this particular project would have been sharing the food on my plate amongst other people around the table…
I could or should have outsourced the graphics, possibly even the layout of the interview, and probably even the set up of the sales system and write the sales page. Collectively 3 belly’s would have gobbled down all the items on the plate a lot quicker (it’s certainly food for thought on the next project – [sorry!]).
Sure – outsourcing can initially sap more time than doing things yourself because you have to build a smooth system and find the smooth operators to fit into it…
…but it works on providing you one of the most important elements in a successful business: leverage
I do it with offline clients – but boy is it tempting to go back down DIY-alley on your my little projects!
On the other hand, I’m real happy with the end result. Proud in fact.
anyhoo – however you fill your plate at the next product creation dinner, make sure you’re either prepared to find more bellies, or at least ask for a doggy bag to extend the eating time!
Note: Item 3 in the list above has a strong place at the table in Part #3 of this mini Marlon-based series…
