Are You Running Your Business Like A Round of Doodle Jump™?

Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE a good iPhone game, especially one as addictive as Doodle Jump™. It’s the perfect diversion when stuck in a waiting room, on a car trip, or just as a random bit of competitiveness with my similarly game-addicted son.

But a while ago I noticed that some people (read: me!) were approaching business development like a round of Doodle Jump™ and I declared a more productive path.

Not familiar with DJ? Here’s how Wikipedia explains the game:

In Doodle Jump™, the aim is to guide a four-legged creature called the Doodler up an unending series of platforms without falling. Players tilt the device from side to side to move the Doodler in the desired direction. Players can get a short boost from various objects, such as propeller hats, jetpacks, rockets, springs or trampolines. There are also monsters that the Doodler has to shoot or jump on to eliminate. You can aim your shot by tapping on different parts of the screen, sending a laser in the direction of your finger. There is no definitive end to the game, but the end for each gameplay happens when you fall (by reaching the bottom of the screen), jump into a monster, get sucked into a black hole, or abducted by a UFO.

Does your business look a lot like Doodle Jump™, too?

Let’s break it down…

Doodle Jump™ Approach: Jump around platforms (a.k.a. random opportunities).
Try this instead: Build an infrastructure like SimCity instead. Lay the groundwork of your healthy business community through a strong referral network and frequent engagement with your authentically supportive team. Grow toward clear goals instead of randomly grabbing the nearest somewhat stable-looking thing. It’s amazing how much better you’ll sleep when you’re taking a next planned step instead of desperately seeking a moving target.

Doodle Jump™ Approach: Try to find a jet pack to give you a quick boost in sales or followers or list-building.
Try this instead: The problem is that jet packs just aren’t sustainable. Sure, the quick fix is great (and probably much needed) but the tactics that created the quick fix are probably not the ones that will create loyal clients. Use your internal jet packs for creativity and making offers that are laser-focused on your clients’ needs. Building a reputation as someone who knows what clients need and has solid solutions is the foundation of a sustainable business.

Doodle Jump™ Approach: Avoid the monsters who will instantly destroy you.
Try this instead: Most monsters live in our heads. They are fears that can be neutralized if we learn how to recognize them. Avoiding them and fearing them IS how they destroy you, by consuming your precious resources of time and energy. Learn to welcome fears as teachers. They only have the power that we give them – why not give them constructive power? If you were learning from your fears instead of seeing them as monsters, how would you act today? What would you do right now?

I’ve noticed a lot of small business owners seem to have a Doodle Jump™ approach when a more focused strategy would help them reach their goals in a scalable and sustainable way. It’s hard to watch because it is painful when the Doodler falls through the supportive places into the void. I’ve been there, black holes and all. Falling isn’t the bad thing. We all fall. Not learning from the fall is the true waste.

Just as Doodle Jump can be addictive as a game, the Doodle Jump approach to business is highly addictive, too. You don’t think your brain gets a rush from revenue jet packs and the adventure of jumping around? Sure it does. But is that the best way to get your Big Audacious Work out into the world? Can you really afford the buzz at the expense of serving the people who need the non-Doodle you, not just now but the next time you’re an ideal match?

image credit: Lima Sky

Related posts:

1. Choosing the Dream Over the Nightmare
2. Judging Your Inner Gold Medalist