Tell 'Em When You're Done

I never discuss what I’m “gonna do”, “‘bout to do”, or “tryna do”.

I EXECUTE, then talk about it later.

I play close to the vest. People will see what I’ve been working on when I’m done.

On the second day of this year, I purchased the domain name HairlineStrong.com, and bought a simple hosting package for my first e-commerce business, a serum that blends natural herbs and clinical strength Minoxidil to regrow hair.

I spent the next two days uploading photos, writing basic sales copy, and building a simple, functional website.

The site went live within 3 days of buying the URL.

Another two days after that, I received my first order- nailing my first sale within a week of launching the website!

I was estatic.

My heart was racing, and my mind was soaring with ideas. I had done it! My first sale!

I called one of my closest homeboys. “Bro!” I was breathless with excitement. “I just got my first sale on my private label hairline product!”, my voice boomed with pride.

“Congratulations, man.”

He paused.

“…I didn’t even know you HAD a private label hairline product.”

I laughed.

I talk to this guy every day, sharing many intimate, sometimes embarrassing, secrets. I love having that kind of relationship where I can tell him anything. However, the one thing I never do is share what I’m working on, before it’s done. I don’t talk to my girlfriend, my brother, or even my dog about plans or ideas.

They’ll see it when I’m done.

Moving In Silence

Many great men have adhered to this principle. Lil Wayne advised, in this famous line:

“Real G’s move in silence like lasagna”

Author Robert Greene instructed the same, in his seminal work The 48 Laws of Power.

In Law 3, he teaches:

“Make your accomplishments seem effortless”.

He elaborates, “Avoid the temptation of revealing how hard you work- it only raises questions.”

When you put your head down, keep your mouth shut, and WORK, you create an aura of unpredictability, also highly advised by Greene. People never know what you are up to, and never know what to expect. You transcend the banal, and become god-like.

Victor Pride also dropped wisdom on the topic of not blabbing your mouth to everyone on his (now-defunct) but brilliant blog, Bold and Determined.

“Deep down, no one wants their friends and co-workers to do better than them. That’s why you simply don’t say anything.”

The world is full on mundane, predictable, and boring things and people. Be different.

Telling people what you’re “gonna do” also takes some of the wind out of your sails, just by saying it. You feel a slight sense of accomplishment just talking about your desires, which makes you less likely to ever achieve them.

Another quote from Greene,

“The more mystery surrounds your actions, the more awesome your power seems.”

Don’t tell em what you’re doing.

Tell em when you’re done.