"A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are made for."

Think of your mind as a boatyard, and yourself as a boat builder.  Think of your business as the vessel you're creating.  Once it's seaworthy, it's going to take you to the places you've dreamed of, perhaps to places you never imagined possible.

I struggle with the pursuit of perfection.  It's a flaw.  Before my boat was launched, I wasted more years than I care to admit making sure it would be sleek and beautiful.  I didn't want it in the water until the paint job was perfect, and the lettering on the bow was just right.

Once it was launched, I kept it in the harbor for weeks waiting for the latest electronics to arrive so that I would be able to find the best fish out on the fishing grounds.  I spent a lot of money on electronics, and I bragged to my friends about the image resolution of my fishfinder, and its ability to tell the big fish from the little ones.  I was going to target big fish, because that's where the money would be.  My friends admired my magnificent plans, and talked to their friends about my boat.  It made me proud.

Meanwhile, my competitor for those fish had finished his boat, launched it and headed out to sea.  Well, it wasn't exactly finished--his boat, after all, only had a primer coat of paint, and I knew for a fact that one of his engines was sort of patched together from salvage parts.  The engines didn't purr like my new diesels.  His electronics were older, clunky and outdated.

While I was busy getting ready to fish, my competitor Bob was fishing.  He wasn't very efficient, but within a week he was back with a hold full of fish.  They weren't very big fish, but on the other hand, he sure had a lot of them.  And no one was talking about his boat--they were paying him for the fish they wanted.

I want my legacy to be a legacy of action.  Do it.  Get 'er done!  Storm clouds are brewing in the mortgage industry right now, and in the real estate industry too.  I've heard that some boats have capsized out there.  But my friends, it's not time to hunker down and pray for the storm to pass.  It's time to put out from harbor, head to the fishing grounds, and start fishing.

A ship in the harbor is safe, but it doesn't make any money.

I'm Mike in Tucson, your preferred Tucson, AZ Mortgage lender.
Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC): Loan Officer in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona
Think of me as your Tucson mortgage expert. 
Subscribe to my blog!

 
Post is included in group: The Ninety-ninth Percentile

22 Comments on Make Action Your Legacy

JUL
26
2007
287,200 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Mike -

Great analogy. Staying in the harbor is not risking anything or being rewarded. Excellent post!

8:30am • #1
417,313 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Thanks, Gary.  I visited your site when I received your comment.  You're a power user of Active Rain!  Thanks for your service in the Navy.
9:07am • #2
5 Featured Posts

Well, that certainly is a different way of explaining it. Very inspirational and true, attitude and action make the difference. Sitting around "what iff'ing" will get you nowhere.

Great post!

9:23am • #3
417,313 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Brad, I used to have a coaching friend who would point at me and say "Ready!  Set! ....okay...Ready!  Set!..."  It made an impression.  I love your 45 Day No Hassle road sign!  Thanks for your response; I've added you as an associate.  Please email me and let me know how things are going in Sierra Vista.
9:30am • #4
So true.  Today I will not whine!  I will get busy!
9:32am • #5
417,313 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Ohmigosh!  I went to your profile and found out you do Manufactured Housing valuations in California.  As a lender here in Tucson, I struggle with the appraisals we get on Manufactureds, and the Assessor's Office is SO out of date.  I'm trying to final docs for a realtor who's working both sides of the transaction--the Assessor has two mobile homes on the property, neither of which is the existing mobile home.  And no one can locate the deed of affixture.  May I add you as an associate on Active Rain?  I'd love to email you from time to time.  Please let me know how I can be of value to you.  Thanks, Rita!  Mike
9:49am • #6
423,504 Points 81 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Great post.  Action is key.  And your boat analogy is right on.
5:28pm • #7
417,313 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Thank you, Dale!  I visited your profile, and I sure like your hat.  You look like a Tucsonan.
5:42pm • #9
JUL
27
2007

Hey Mike

You certainly don't let any barnicles grow on your boat... 

John Morgan
7:27am • #10
597,242 Points 111 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
All the "thinking" in the world will not produce anything but nothing...unless we make the effort and put it into action. Great story Mike!
9:12pm • #11
You are so great at educating us .... especially on the fact that there are options, when most people think they are totally out of options!
Lori Riegel
9:55pm • #12
JUL
28
2007
417,313 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Lori, you lead the way!  Please check out my latest blog on Fans and the Historic Hotel Congress.
12:25am • #13
122,430 Points 4 Featured Posts

What is that phrase - Massive Action Solves All Problems - thanks for this wonderfully visual analogy.  Sometimes it's very easy to be extremely busy on non-income producing activities.  I will remember this post for years to come -

 thank you

 

12:30am • #14
129,954 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Mike,

 

Great post for us perfectionists which i am now calling procrastinators,  we will never get it right and the heavy feeling of it hangining over our heads is worse then just dong and fixing it to perfect later

have a great day,

 Mary

12:49am • #15
417,313 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Mary, thank you for reading and commenting! I read your Profile, and appreciated the comment about "saving my clients from discount brokers."  It's nice to meet you; I've made you an associate and look forward to going back to your site right now and reading your blog.  Please subscribe to mine.

9:44am • #16
JUL
30
2007
364,097 Points 95 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Mike-I like your thoughts...action is the key in life. Great way to express it.  Thank you
10:22pm • #17
417,313 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Thank you, Midori!  Century 21 has some great people; you're the first real estate trainer to comment on my posts.  I've made you an associate, and look forward to reading more of your posts.
10:58pm • #18
JUL
31
2007
Mike - thank-you so much for the post.  Very, very timely.  I have been writing and re-writing and re-writing my newsletter until it is "just right" so that it won't "capsize".  Thanks to you I have taken action and have decided to send it out to without any further revisions.  I like your legacy - thanks.
11:52pm • #19
4 Featured Posts

Mike,

Such a great analogy.  Remember that boat was made to withstand the storms too.  Very good post. :)

11:59pm • #20
AUG
01
2007
209,101 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I loved this post, Mike. Wonderful analogies and self examination. You're completely right, life on earth is all about action. Without it we go nowhere..........

Jo 

5:21am • #21
417,313 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Cheryl-Anne
I'd like to read that newsletter.  Please send one my way.

Roberta,
Thanks for visiting, and for the compliment.

Jo
I visited your profile, which had a link to your home in Canada.  So beautiful!  Thanks for visiting.

7:10am • #22

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Mike Jones

Tucson, AZ

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SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC

Address: 2840 E Skyline Dr, Suite #230, Tucson, AZ, 85718

Office Phone: (520) 344-6943

Cell Phone: (520) 349-9090

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