40 Million Dollar Lesson

Entrepreneur Evan Carmichael said that his perfectionism produced a $40 million lesson. At the age of 22, Evan had a very successful software company. Evan began to devise a strategy for how he was going to sell his company and make himself and his partners millionaires. Evan worked, and worked, and worked on his sales plan. Being a perfectionist, he finally felt ready to present his sales plan to other companies, or at least that he had worked on it enough. When Evan met with a company that was considered the number one player in this particular niche; Walking into his meeting, Evan was sure they'd say yes. 

To Evan's surprise, they replied that no. He was shocked! How could they say after he had crafted a detailed plan demonstrating all the pros? Their rejection was not part of the plan. 

After the surprise had worn off, he decided to present his sales plan to another company. The new prospect was not considered to be the number one player, not even close. As Evan sat down at the table with them, it was clear they were interested. They loved the details, the presentation, the possibilities. However, there was a problem. While Evan had taken the time to come up with his perfect sales plan, they had been looking for software companies to acquire, and in the last three months, they had already been in dialogue with another company. Ultimately, they rejected the plan presented by Evan and bought another software company for $40 million.

Many times we allow opportunities to pass us by as we are so concerned about negative possibilities, we don't even consider positive ones. We become filled with fear that we overlook any possibility for growth, advancement, and prosperity. Similar to Evan's story, so many people want to be perfectionists or lack faith, and because of this, they let opportunities for something greater them by.

In 2020, I learned two massive lessons. While I had already known and practiced one of them, it's importance was brought to center stage, as I think it was for many.

First, gratitude. One thing is for sure, and COVID-19 shed light on this truth, nothing is guaranteed, nothing. For this reason, we must be grateful, no matter what our position is. The author of Philippians said it this way: "I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot." Regardless of what we have or would like to have, we must try our best to display an attitude of gratitude.

The second lesson is equally important, and it is the ability to pivot. To pivot is to be able to switch to a new strategy. In some cases, pivoting is used when the current flow of things is interrupted, however, pivoting does not necessarily mean desperation. Rather, it is knowing when it is necessary to accelerate your pace or change your route to continue moving forward.

It is easy to get comfortable with the usual routine, but we must not abandon that ability to desire growth. We must say yes to the opportunity of growth, yes to the possibilities that are presented to us to reach a new level. 

There's a story of four brothers. Simon and Andrew were brothers, and they were fishermen. In the same trade, or at least in training, were the brothers James and John. The story says that Simon and Andrew were in their boat, casting the net when Jesus showed up. He presented them with an opportunity which they responded by leaving what they had and following him. Not too far from there, James and John are in a boat with their father, getting ready to go fishing. Jesus offers them an opportunity, and they also leave what they had and followed him.

Every call requires that we be willing to leave the comfort zone. Simon and Andrew already had their boat and are recognized as fishermen, while James and John are recognized as men who were at their father's side, possibly learning the trade.

Click here for the story of The First Disciples.

No matter where you are, we must stretch forth towards the possibilities of something greater. If we allow comfort to set in, stagnation will also introduce itself. You've fought too hard for so long only to make it where you are; there's more waiting for you. Learn how to be grateful, but don't settle. Pivot if necessary but keep moving. Don't allow doubt or the idea of perfectionism to cost you a $40 million opportunity.