Based on an article published by Shane Parrish titled, “The Difference Between Amateurs and Professionals,” I'm reflecting on some of his key points with today's discussion on: 

“Amateurs don’t have any idea what improves the odds of achieving good outcomes. Professionals do."

I fear sometimes that this is true about me, at least more than I'd like to admit. How much time and energy do I invest in analyzing the “why” behind my success or the lack thereof? Do I really understand the reasons behind my outcomes?

This year has really perplexed me in terms of my new initiative launched during COVID—EPIC Adventures. Previously marketed as Colorado Mountain Leadership Adventures (COMLA), I rebranded this year, had my brochures and website professionally designed, and added several new experiences in addition to my former offerings in Colorado's beautiful outdoors! I thought I really was on to something. But this year was different. Both my Ski and Adirondacks adventures had few signups. To date, not one man has signed up for my men-only events. Just this past week I finally had a few couples sign up for an event in Breckenridge, CO. And to be honest…I'm not exactly sure why I've had "EPIC flops" 😀 this year. People can't get off work? Concerns with inflation and a slow-down in the economy? 

To be fair, the complexity of numerous systems at work can often affect outcomes inconsistently. We often can't know or be completely certain about what produced success or failure. But take another look at that statement above. What “improves the odds” of our success? Perhaps that's where we often fail to put our attention. For me, I think that means moving too quickly to expand my offerings and expecting people to jump on board. I believe to improve my odds I need to cast a wider net (grow my personal network) and stay mostly focused on the context of past success (mountain climbing in Colorado) while slowly introducing new options.

More than anything, I need to assume a growth mindset, learning as I go ("failing forward") and figuring out solutions to problems via continual analysis and reflection and the assistance of others.