Start Anywhere!

According to Wikipedia, Nike’s Just Do It™ slogan was born in an advertising agency meeting in 1988.

For Nike, these words helped propel the company from $877 million in revenue in 1988 to $9.2 billion by 1998.  In 2013, Nike’s revenue was $25.3 billion.

Three simple words.

Of course, it isn’t the words alone.  It’s the call to action implied in these words:

• Want to run a marathon?  Just do it!
• Want to run a triathlon?  Just do it!
• Want to play tennis?  Just do it!
• Want to learn to oil paint?  Just do it!
• Want to write?  Just do it!
• Want to race motorcycles?  Just do it!
• Want to develop an iPhone app?  Just do it!
• Want to explore the world?  How about China (where I am this week)?  Just do it!
• Want to hike the Appalachian Trail?  Just do it!
• Want to own your own business?  Just do it!
• Want to try living in New York City (in the winter!)?  Just do it!
• Want to start a charity to help wounded veterans?  Just do it!
• Want to build your own house?  How about a tree house?  Just do it!

Three simple words.

Not to be outdone, and to inspire not only Apple employees, but customers they didn’t yet have, Apple came up with a two-word slogan in 1997:  Think Different™.

Two words, grammar error notwithstanding.  Again, it isn’t the words, but the call to action.  If you want to create a new and interesting future, Think Different today.

Think Different.  Just Do It.

To these, I’d add two more words:

Start Anywhere!

Think Different.  Just Do It.  Start Anywhere!

How about two more:  Start today!

Author: Bob Dailey

Born and raised in Southern California. Graduated from (and met my future wife at) Cal Poly Pomona, in 1988. Married to Janet for almost 35 years. Father of two: Julianne and Jennifer. Grandfather of 7. Held many positions in small, medium, and large companies. Trail runner, competitive stair climber, backpacker, camper, off-roader, world traveler, sometimes writer. View all posts by Bob Dailey