Backed Into A Corner?

[Richard N Adams]

It has been said by many people that being backed into a corner *forces* you to succeed. I believe even the classic "Art Of War" claims that there is nothing more dangerous than a foe that has no way out but to fight.

And I know some people use this principle as a source of motivation. To give you an example - I am aware of a number of people who, when they wanted to lose weight, paid upfront for a professional photo session in a few months time.

This left them with only 3 options:

1) Lose the weight so they looked great at their photo session
2) Turn up looking overweight and feeling bad
3) Not turn up at all and have wasted the money on the shoot

I have been thinking recently about how we might be able to apply this to our internet marketing activites.

Lets say, for example, that one of your long-term goals is to learn to fly a plane. You could put down a deposit on the lessons, booking them for a few months time, knowing that you *have* to have the money for the difference by then or you lose the deposit.

Or how about starting a long product launch build-up before you've even finished the product? With hundreds of people watching, I'm pretty sure you'd do everything possible to get that product completed in time, wouldn't you?

So, a few questions for you:

1) Do you find being "backed into a corner" motivates you or fills you with dread and so leads to *less* results

2) Do you think backing yourself into a corner deliberately is very smart or very stoopid?

3) Any other ideas of how we might use this concept to motivate ourselves to achieve in our business ventures?

Warm regards,
Richard

[Anna Johnson]

I think some people who are backed into a corner get the motivation they need to achieve great heights... but others, unfortunately, crumble under too much pressure.

[artwebster]

If ever I get backed into a corner I have to reassess what the hell I am doing!

Getting backed into a corner is the result of an inability to protect either yourself or your ideals and, once in the corner, no matter how desperately you might fight, you will suffer severe harm.

It is not possible to back yourself into a corner unless you are a dual personality and one of them is significantly stronger than the other - even so, neither personality can gain from the situation.

What you are discussing is actually more like a combination of forward planning and self motivation - both very valuable activities with none of the negative aspects of losing.

[jlandells]

Hi Richard,

I think this is a great idea! I'm working on a new product myself and I love your suggestion if starting the launch with a date in mind to "focus my mind"!

I'm even tempted to quit my job! How's that for pressure???? (only joking - my wife would kill me!)

-John.

[apatters]

Originally Posted by Anna Johnson

I think some people who are backed into a corner get the motivation they need to achieve great heights... but others, unfortunately, crumble under too much pressure.

Yeah, this is a definite risk, but I don't think it's because they were backed into a corner--I think it's because the goal they set was too ambitious. Sometimes we just can't change our lives overnight.

I do think that when you set a goal, you should arrange everything in your life so that it encourages & even forces you to achieve that goal. If you break down and fail... the goal you were setting was too ambitious. Pick yourself up and take things a little slower next time.