Perhaps Thoreau said it best: “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” This message is still sadly true.
Vast numbers of people are shackled in prisons of their own making -- reluctant to try new things, take a risk, experiment with different methods, pursue a new path, and go for the big win.
What do you do when you hear “I’ve always wanted to start a business doing XXX” (whatever XXX is for them). I will often respond with “What precisely is stopping you from starting today?” I usually get a blank stare, then stutters and stammers. Lots of excuses, but few substantive reasons. We have a solution for them in the Amway business.
Novelist Ray Bradbury’s observation is: “Sometimes you just have to jump out the window and grow wings on the way down.”
Good is the enemy of great. No question, it takes courage to dance to a new drum.
Stand-up comic Chris Rock says “Comedians tend to find a comfort zone and stay there and do lamer versions of themselves for the rest of their career.”
Beating fear convinces me other so-called ‘impossible’ things are achievable.
As author and success consultant Brian Tracy asserts: “You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable, when you try something new.”
ACTIONS FOR YOU
Three thoughts to consider:
(1) Write at the top of your to-do list something you’ve always wanted to do… that scares you… that’s beyond your comfort zone. Commit to making it Priority #1 tomorrow morning. Don’t waste time thinking, worrying, fretting. Just do it.
(2) Keep a running list of “All My Wants”… add to it whenever a new idea pops to mind… and make sure you include the ones that terrify you.
(3) Put a star by the most terrifying… and commit to tackle one each month. Twelve in a year.
Before long, you’ll surprise yourself by doing ‘scary’ once a week. Then daily. Then hourly. Then it becomes your new normal.
And that’s when you’ll realize your fears are dwindling in number.
You’ll know because your friends will tell you they wish they had your courage. Hearing that compliment will shock you at first… and then you’ll drive home fist-pumping in your car.
Vast numbers of people are shackled in prisons of their own making -- reluctant to try new things, take a risk, experiment with different methods, pursue a new path, and go for the big win.
What do you do when you hear “I’ve always wanted to start a business doing XXX” (whatever XXX is for them). I will often respond with “What precisely is stopping you from starting today?” I usually get a blank stare, then stutters and stammers. Lots of excuses, but few substantive reasons. We have a solution for them in the Amway business.
Novelist Ray Bradbury’s observation is: “Sometimes you just have to jump out the window and grow wings on the way down.”
Good is the enemy of great. No question, it takes courage to dance to a new drum.
Stand-up comic Chris Rock says “Comedians tend to find a comfort zone and stay there and do lamer versions of themselves for the rest of their career.”
Beating fear convinces me other so-called ‘impossible’ things are achievable.
As author and success consultant Brian Tracy asserts: “You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable, when you try something new.”
ACTIONS FOR YOU
Three thoughts to consider:
(1) Write at the top of your to-do list something you’ve always wanted to do… that scares you… that’s beyond your comfort zone. Commit to making it Priority #1 tomorrow morning. Don’t waste time thinking, worrying, fretting. Just do it.
(2) Keep a running list of “All My Wants”… add to it whenever a new idea pops to mind… and make sure you include the ones that terrify you.
(3) Put a star by the most terrifying… and commit to tackle one each month. Twelve in a year.
Before long, you’ll surprise yourself by doing ‘scary’ once a week. Then daily. Then hourly. Then it becomes your new normal.
And that’s when you’ll realize your fears are dwindling in number.
You’ll know because your friends will tell you they wish they had your courage. Hearing that compliment will shock you at first… and then you’ll drive home fist-pumping in your car.