This ‘Life’s Little Instruction’ from March 27 has sat there for weeks now on my countertop, taunting me.
Do I?
Dare I?
(But what’s on the next page? And what if I don’t like it as well as I like this page?!)
I laughed at it again this morning: “When you think you have things figured out, turn the page.” <—– That sentence reflects the essence of the reason MonkeyBar Management was founded. Because here’s the secret: none of us have “it” figured out. And yet, we have to turn the page anyway. Life only lives in one direction.
Each day, in big and small ways, we must leap across the gaps in front of us, grab the next bar. We must keep up the momentum, or we stay stuck and withering.
Whether it’s an entire industry, an organization, a project, or something as simple as cleaning out your closet as the seasons change, we’ve all felt that moment of panic, of doubt: “Do I have it figured out?” “Do I have the courage to let go?”
In my 20+ year career working with nonprofits and small businesses, I have seen more projects and ideas and entire organizations fail (or fall into decline) because of a lack of courage. The courage to let go of a toxic team member, to confront a problem, to break from tradition (euthanize that sacred cow), to turn down a major financial supplier whose money forces ethical challenges. Courage in the face of daunting gaps is what separates incredible from forgettable.
What page are YOU ready to turn? What’s stopping you?
The calendar lies to us: there is no such thing as “all figured out.” Some questions will always remain. Success is found when you conjure up courage in spite of the questions. So now, let’s go forward into the gap of uncertainty, and turn the page together.
Whee! I get to be the first comment on the first blog post.
However, I don’t really have anything to say, other than, “Yep. What she said.” 🙂
Go get ’em tiger.
Jen: it seems only fitting that you, the fantastic blogspiration that you are, got to be the first commenter. Thanks for your continued incredible support, cheerleading, psychic energy, and general awesomeness: You’re amazing.
Rrraaaawrrrrr!
Not sure any of us will ever figure “it” out. These are great contemplative questions we should all ask ourselves when we roll out of bed in the morning. Perhaps, as you said on FB, the FILDI philosophy is the best approach. Love it!
Best wishes as you venture into the courageous category. I’m rooting for you!
Dave: we won’t; every time we think we’ve got it figured out, something changes. Constant learning is the best strategy, and to keep keep turning the page even in spite of the discomfort. The adventure is the adventure, right? Thanks for being such an awesome collaborator & cheerleader, having talented people to work with makes “courage” a whole lot easier!
“Success is found when you conjure up courage in spite of the questions.” <—this.
Yay you! I love this post for many (personal) reasons, and I can't wait to read more.
Thanks, Sherree: I appreciate our connection, the encouragement and the compliment!
Like that thing on turning down a major financial supplier on ethical concerns. It’s not worth it.
Which bar to grab onto? The lack of your own plan means we are helping someone else build their plan, or we are doomed to chance, especially if no one else has a plan. Seems like that is more and more the situation these days.
Is it fear and paralysis or the simple lazy lack of inventing something new (aka innovation)? I have asked myself this very question. It sure is difficult moving forward in a new direction. And that is what must be done.
As always, you offer very wise words, Sid: “…we are doomed to chance, especially if no one else has a plan.” The fear/paralysis is fed by a lack of innovation and our human attachment to predictability, lack of innovation spawns wasted time and frittered energy, and the cycle is hard to break. I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do feel that asking the right questions is the first step. THANK YOU for your encouragement and participation in what I hope will be an interesting discussion as it evolves!
I have been waiting for this!
I look forward to following and turning a few of my own!
Thanks, Mollee! I look forward to hearing how we can help with your challenges as you turn new pages…
Many think they do have it figure out; they know the next page is March 28th! And because that prediction came true, they assume all their other ones will as well. The challenge for all of us with egos is admitting “we don’t know what don’t know.”
Glad to know you’ll be out challenging us to open our minds. We need all the help we can get.
Aaaah, wise observations, Dan: knowing ‘part of’ an answer (March 28!)can give us false confidence – momentum which just may push us in the wrong direction. How to “know what we don’t know” seems to be one of the greatest challenges of the human condition. We seem to be in an era of overabundance of information and disturbing lack of true wisdom. Thank you for your constant encouragement and openness to sharing… I look forward to your thoughts as the discussion here unfolds.
Happy blogging. I always enjoyed reading the blog about the “Italy” chapter of your life and look forward to this one too. BTW..I love your logo!
Samantha: wow, we *do* go way back, don’t we?!? Thanks for following along all these years: yes, the “Italy Blog” was definitely great training wheels for me, but I’m going to try to hold my own feet to the fire to be a bit more disciplined/focused here on the ‘business blog’ side of the world. Though I’m sure there will be some growing pains! Thanks for the compliment on the logo, I love it too – watch for a future blog post singing the praises of my brilliant brand designer!
Kellee, as an old one has turned many pages, I wish you well in your new efforts. May you lead or push us to new challanges and opportunities.
Steve: Thanks, “old one” for the well wishes! It’s been gratifying to have you ever-present as an important player through the years as I’ve worked to transform groups & events into even-better versions of themselves than they had imagined: I look forward to you continuing the journey with me!