“A great deal of talent is lost to the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure men whose timidity prevented them from making a first effort.” – Sydney Smith
In last week’s post we talked about the fine line we walk between perseverance just being stubborn (even if it’s not working). Sometimes the fact that we’re convinced what we want is going to be great (even if it’s really not) keeps us from changing. Sometimes I think it’s just the fact that to switch to something else sounds a little bit like failure.
In the past few days, however, a very wise person noted that there is probably another reason we stick with our goals/plans/vision longer than we ought. How often in your business or in your personal life have you felt like you knew what you wanted, but you were afraid to try it? It might be fear of failure, but I think even more often it’s fear of what others would think (even if we wouldn’t admit it). You knew what you wanted, you were convinced it was right, you looked at all the possibilities and found the one you were destined to do – and then didn’t do it.
How many of us spend huge parts of our lives being something or trying to become something because it’s what we thought other people thought we should do? What a waste. Sit down today and think about your business or your life. How much of it is really you? And how much of it is what you think others want you to be? If they’re being truly honest with themselves, most people would be depressed at the answer.
Don’t waste another minute being somebody else’s you. Take your business where you really think it should be. Try a new product, a new process, a new market, whatever. Take your life where you really think it should be. Do whatever that thing is you’re convinced you should be doing. Be you.
