I know you’re busy and looking for something you can digest quickly and take action on, so I’m going to try and shorten these emails. Today’s topic is a good place to start. We’ve been talking about the iterative approach, which promotes taking action and moving forward even when there are pending decisions and things unknown. 

But, what about when you’re starting something new? You get an idea, an inspiration, something that you want to try. As you think about it more, you have questions that lead to more questions. You feel overwhelmed or nervous by all the things that need to be done to fully realize your idea… and you never start.

Minimum Viable Product
Entrepreneurs, primarily tech companies, have the same problem, and they have a solution. They create a minimum viable product (MVP), a product with just enough features to put in the market, get feedback, and answer some questions. 

Zappos, the famous online shoe retailer, did exactly this. They weren’t sure people would buy shoes online. Their MVP was a website with pictures of shoes available at local stores. When someone bought a pair of shoes, they’d go to the store and buy the shoes and ship them out. They used the MVP to answer basic questions about their concept before they started worrying about bigger problems like inventory and fulfillment.

Minimum Viable You
The goal of an MVP isn’t to accomplish something, it is to learn. Now, take this same concept and apply it to your personal and professional life. 

• Looking to get things done? Instead of looking for a all-encompassing productivity system, start by writing out a to-do list every morning.
• Want to improve your leadership skills? Start listening to a podcast once a day instead of trying to decide which costly seminar to attend.
• Want to have better mornings? Don’t completely revamp your routine; start by getting up 10 minutes earlier.
• Want to start a new activity? Try renting equipment instead of buying new gear.

Think of something you’ve been putting off. Maybe it’s big; a secret desire or something that scares you a bit. Or, maybe it’s something you want, but aren’t sure how to attain. What are some of the questions or doubts that come up?

Now, what is the least amount of work you can do to put yourself out there and answer a couple of those questions? That’s the Minimum Viable You (MVY). 

My MVY story: I want to contribute more to a professional community (e.g., developers, HR, business leaders). I question my skills and if there is a need for my experience, but I knew I needed to start. So, I offered myself as a resource to a growing developer community here in Alaska and am trying to engage more. At the least, I’ll learn what I should try next so I can contribute more.  

Start and Don’t Stop
So many times we get stuck, thinking things have to be just right or we need all the answers before we embark on a new ambition. But that’s not the case. If you can embrace an iterative approach, then you just need enough to get started.

Take a chance, put yourself out there, learn, grow, and then do it again. Some of the greatest companies in the world became successful using this model. It can work for your life, too.

Keep Sunday simple so you can make Monday awesome! Thanks for reading.