What Will It Take?

“Do whatever it takes” is a terrible guideline for important work.

“Whatever it takes” hemorrhages time and cash, pushing everything else into a similar state of emergency that put this project into “whatever it takes” mode.

“Whatever it takes” breeds freneticism in teams that won’t stand the test of time when pitched against teams who prefer to ask, “What will it take?”

“What will it take” nurtures mindful contributions of time and cash, enabling them to be efficient and essentialist with their resources. This mindset outperforms and outlasts chaotic competitors stuck doing whatever it takes.

If your work is important, don’t declare “whatever it takes”. Instead, inquire, “What will it take?”