"Are You Making Pancakes?" On Imperfect Action In Business:

Are you making pancakes this morning?

I used to have a relaxing weekly ritual of making pancakes while listening to my favorite short-story radio show (back before podcasts were a thing).

Maybe that's why I started reflecting on the phenomenon of the First Pancake.

You know the one. It's the pancake that gets spongy from soaking up all the butter on the griddle.

Or it's the one that burns, telling you to adjust the heat.

Maybe it's too lumpy or doughy. Or worse, it's too thin & flat… Either way, it's telling you to adjust the batter.

Whether you eat that first pancake or throw it out, the First Pancake is necessary.

You can't have those ideal, fluffy, delicious 2nd/3rd/4th pancakes unless you have an imperfect First Pancake.

Many of my coaching clients struggle with Perfectionism, and don't want to launch their product, package or service until they've figured out exactly what offer will bring in great clients and income.

They want an exact formula for success, or they know what they want to offer but don't want to put it out into the world until they feel certain it'll work.

I wish I could give them guarantees. I can give them my favorite batter-recipes, and I can hand them a metaphorical spatula, but ultimately:

Every offer is a First Pancake.

Your first business, product, or service-package will very likely change. You'll tweak it as you go, adjusting for what works well for your clients, or for you. This is normal and fine. This is how you make better pancakes.

The longer you wait to make the “perfect pancake," the longer you're putting off success.

Imperfect action is the only way. (But the results can be yummy).

What's a “first pancake” in your business? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.