Nothing is difficult - we fix it easily...

My task was essentially the commercial activities for the company and where product development naturally came in as a relevant element, as customers were continuously demanding new features. In a discussion about product development and my concern that it would blow the budget because I could not manage the technical scope, I got the comment "There is nothing that is difficult - we fix it easily...smile.."

I clearly remember being very provoked by the comment. Both because I felt that my concerns were not understood, but also because the development task - in my mind - was actually mega difficult, demanding and probably expensive. Funnily enough, it turned out that the development task was not difficult and that he/development people quickly found "the way" to the goal, and quickly created a working MVP, which allowed to take orders from customers. Bingo - More business - Thor was happy 😃

The reason for the different perception of the development task was of course also about competences and experience; I was - even with a technical background - by no means competent enough to be able to assess the scope of the task and thus the "way" to the solution. For him it was easy and he, conversely, was also more concerned about the commercial aspects, so we were both aware that a cost-effective route to an MVP had to be found.

Pointen

Apart from the obvious difference in technical/commercial skills, the point is that the real difference was about mindset and approach to the task. His comment "Nothing is difficult" was about approach and that he really meant "Nothing is difficult, but there are many things that can take a long time to learn"...

"There is nothing that is difficult, but there are many things that can take a long time to learn"...

Try repeating that sentence a few times, because it makes a lot of sense...

The point that "Nothing is difficult, but there are many things that can take a long time to learn" is an open/accommodating approach to solving a task, where you do not set up limitations/barriers/blocks for yourself and your thoughts from the start. Because the opposite "It's hard" just automatically puts a limitation/barrier/block on your thoughts (and probably/maybe also limits your ability to execute).

Roughly speaking, you could say that it is about having either a positive/open or negative/closed approach to solving tasks and finding/planning the "way" to the solution.

Experiences

To be honest, it took me some time to understand what he meant and how he thought. But after a few conversations on the subject, I understood that he was absolutely right about the mindset and approach to work.

Having understood what it was all about, I have followed that approach ever since and for me it has made a crucial huge difference in many situations. Both in terms of having a positive mindset for task solving, but also in terms of often finding solutions/ways in situations that otherwise might seem impossible.

I have taken on projects (commercial and technical) that on the surface seem impossible/impossible/"difficult", but where a shared mindset in the team has enabled launch (both commercially, legally and product-wise) much faster and with very few resources available. It's hugely about not complicating things/tasks unnecessarily and being aware that there is often a single "way through" the development/problem/tasking - the "way" can also be created by engaging with those who are creating the problems/challenges for you.

This is also the case with the story of how four friends (without a penny in their pocket) set out on the (on the surface impossible) task of launching the investment platform (and brand) FundBricks.com - that story comes later, but a spoiler is that it's not that far off from the "I'm good at dreaming" ad series that Danske Bank had a few years ago.

Competencies are good...However, in my experience, it is even more the attitude/ mindset/ approach to task that makes you succeed - especially in start-ups and growth companies. With attitude, curiosity, solution-oriented approach and hunger, you will go far.

But Dear Thor, doesn't all that "Nothing is difficult" sound like a mega cliche...? Yes, it does, but it works - and the counter-argument of "It's hard" is not very positive or open-minded, is it?

What do you mean?

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