Talk is cheap. The only way to erase our fear of the unknown is to take a chance and do things differently today than we did yesterday. Easier said than done (Image credit: Scbankruptcyattorney.com).
In a week where we just re-elected a president, it seems rationale for me to start this post by reminding you “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”
We share quotes likes the one above in passing. We talk the good talk and say all the right things when it comes to embracing change. We swear we’ll do things differently today than we did yesterday. The talk is great. But another great quote tells us it’s also cheap.
And more often than not, when it comes to taking action, we take the same ones we took yesterday. Because it’s easy. Because we know how to do the things we’ve done before. But more than any other reason…because we are afraid.
The unknown is like that. Even when we see others succeed by doing something new, we cant guarantee we’ll have the same success. So we laud them for taking a chance. And then we refuse to take one ourselves.
In the corporate world, the perfect example of this is one I’ve seen many times. People read about Tony Hsieh’s success at Zappos or how Southwest Airlines empowers its employees to do right by their customers no matter what the rulebook says. They use these examples as case studies and follow them up with a “We could never do that here” or “That worked great for them, but we’re not Southwest.”
Translation: I’m afraid. I’m scared to try and be like Southwest or Zappos. It’s easier to talk about the great things they’ve done than doing them ourselves.
It’s easy to talk. It always will be. But talk is cheap. However, since you’re talking, ask yourself one question. What are you so afraid of? And are you ok going through your career as just a talker?
Or do you want to be someone who takes a chance. Someone — and some brand — people talk about.
Have you heard of the concept of "joyfear"? I think many defining moments in our lives can be put in the joyfear category. More here: http://zenhabits.net/joyfear/
I also feel like risks are a bit less scary if you think about them as calculated risks. If you've done your homework and all the signs are pointing to the risk being worth it, then you're taking a calculated risk...even if you're scared as hell. Hopefully, the risk turns out to be worth it, and you'll look back and have a slightly easier time embracing joyfear in the future.
@Nikki Little Joyfear. I like it. Sounds like the way I felt when we had Eric -- maybe you are becoming familiar with that feeling :). Lot more joy than fear, btw, now that he is here.
You are right about calculated risks. The problem is too many people want the risk to be so calculated that there is no chance of failure. That is not possible. But that desire keeps a lot of people from doing what they think is right, IMO. Kind of sad.
In my work with PR executive, I'm amazed by how many are driven by fear. And in full candor, I've had to walk through fear myself--more than once. But once you accept that FDR was right, you realize you have nothing to lose and everything to gain from facing your fears. Great post!
@KensViews Thanks, Ken. I agree, people are so worried about what they might lose. Great things happen when people focus on what they can gain. People who spend a lot of time focusing on what they might lose stay in the same place. Yet if you ask most people, they want to do what it takes to advance. Well, can't have it both ways, you know?
oops. "executives"
Justin,
Thanks for this reminder. There are two kinds of change - the one we initiate and the one forces upon us. Both are scary but one does give more ownership than the other.
@BethWardPR1 Well said, Beth. You know what's really scary. Large corporations that pay lots of money so people can do the same thing and expect a different result. Happens all the time. That's scary.
When I changed comment systems, a comment by Jake Jacobson was accidentally deleted from the post. Here is Jake's comment in full: "Great point, Justin. Time to get past the “If only” disclaimers and “What if” hypotheticals and try to initiate change if you think something needs to be done. I’m as guilty as the next guy of falling into the “we could never do that here” mentality, but you never know until you try. And if you try – and fail – then address the reason you failed and try again. If someone’s not willing to do that, they forfeit their credibility when complaining about the original situation. Thanks."
for posting this pep talk for all of us!Exactly, Jake. Very well said. There’s a reason why there are a few case studies in every industry that people point to. The reason those people stand out is because they avoided the paralysis by analysis, embraced an approach they believed in and went for it. Corporate America is super guilty across the board of killing game changer ideas with approvals and what ifs. The next time someone asks what if, we should ask back: What if we just keep doing what we’re doing? Where will we be then?
Great food for thought. Admittedly, I know I have fallen into this trap more than once. Fear of failing or maybe just not living up to my very high expectations is a very real concern. That being said, if we don't take a chance, we will never fully know what you are capable of. Even if the chance results in a failure, it's a great learning experience. Much more so than just sticking to the straight, narrow and safe path.
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@jessicamalnik Yes, learning is one of the main reasons to take chances. If you don't ever do so and learn from the situation, then you will always have a fear of the unknown. Vicious cycle.