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Andy Lykens

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Crushing It.

August 3, 2014 by Andy

Crush It.

When people hear this phrase most think of doing something incredibly well. Maybe they’re driving a golf ball 300 yards, picking up ladies at the bar, or are having a hair day so epic, so flawless, they can’t help but feel like the sassiest gal in town (I love feelin’ sassy!).

All of these situations are great and imply some sort of higher-being moment for the individual who’s in the zone. But maybe there’s another way to think about it…

I was playing Settlers of Catan last night (which, if you don’t know, is the greatest game of all time – kind of like Monopoly mixed with Risk but easier to learn) and at some point during the game I looked at the board and thought to myself:

“There is no way I am going to win this game. There aren’t enough resources and there are too many obstacles.”

Then I looked around the table and it dawned on me. Everyone else likely felt the same way; eyes glued to the board searching for options, hands running through their hair in frustration, and all looking at the exact same thing:

A crowded board with too many obstacles and not enough resources.

Once I had that realization my mindset shifted. Everyone has mostly the same problems and perhaps if I change my outlook I will find a way to at least be competitive. Since I was going to play the game anyway, why not try to at least make the most of it.

I decided to crush it, but not like you might think.

I wasn’t trying to re-invent the wheel and create some insane new strategy. Instead my aim was to crush my limiting mindset:

“not enough resources, too many obstacles.”

So I looked at the board, more closely analyzed the other players’ situations and continued to move ahead despite what seemed like an implausible scenario.

This happens in art, science, and business all the time. We all look at the same game and conclude it’s too difficult based on the resources available and the obstacles in the way.

Yet people always manage to succeed.

People even come in second and third and do pretty well despite not coming in first place.

So the next time you think someone’s really crushing it ask yourself: Have they re-invented the wheel? Are they playing out of their mind? Is her hair REALLY that silky and smooth?

Or have they simply crushed their limiting beliefs?

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Filed Under: Development, music business, music business development, music industry, Progress

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sheryl says

    August 4, 2014 at 10:04 am

    Love this article…very encouraging! (…you ARE sassy!)

  2. Marisol Castillo says

    August 4, 2014 at 10:30 am

    Well done Andy!! Muy interesante and I think you’re Crushing it! :)

  3. Sara L. says

    August 14, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Andy, thanks for posting this. I’ve kept this article in my inbox for a couple of weeks to re-read it cause I like it so much. You nailed it. Love your game analogy. It’s easy to give up when faced with obstacles, and aren’t there always obstacles? So change your beliefs and persevere.

  4. fritz buehler says

    August 20, 2014 at 2:54 am

    I think i need to learn to crush it and make some lemonaide ;)

  5. original b says

    November 21, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    this made me believe a little more because in the beggining i fouces on what i didnt hve but now i know their are alot of things i can turn into with wat i got

  6. Damon Hamilton says

    November 24, 2014 at 11:06 am

    Truth. There are many variables that may seem beyond one’s control, but when you fix your attitude, those variables tend to fall into an obtainable line…

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