What if I fall?
Oh, but my darling, what if you fly? -Erin Hanson
As shared in my January 2nd #OneWord post, for three years now I have subscribed to the #OneWord practice instead of new year resolutions. This year, I am keeping the word commit top of mind to help drive my desire to elevate emerging leaders, to stick to my diet and exercise plan, to move forward with my consulting work, to get rid of the stuff that clutters our storage areas, and other tasks and ideas that require continued follow-up and follow-through.
Sometimes, commmitment means choosing between conflicting desires; like a healthy salad or a juicy cheeseburger for dinner. Sometimes, it means recognizing that if you haven’t used (fill-in-the-blank) since you moved three years ago, you should probably part ways with it.
And, sometimes, commitment requires bravery.
I was reminded of that lesson at a networking meeting last week. Our conversation wandered to taking risks and putting yourself “out there”. We started talking about public speaking and how hard it is the first time ever, the first time you’re speaking on a new topic, the first time you’re facing a new audience and, pretty much, every time you step on a stage. One of the ladies leaned forward and said, matter-of-factly:
“You just have to be brave.”
The Brave Ones was the theme of the 2015 Leadercast event. The message of the day was about bravery and the courage it takes to be a leader that changes the world. Change agents are naturally committed to their convictions. But, taking action to lead change requires more, it demands bravery. I pulled out my notes from the event. I reviewed my Leadercast blog posts (see below). I realized that bravery is my struggle. I am committed to all the things I listed above. But, the real question is:
Am I brave enough to succeed?
I attended Leadercast at sparkspace in Columbus, OH. The 2015 attendees received a leather wristwrap stamped with the words “Be Brave.” I had not worn it…until the last few days. It’s going to serve as a visible reminder to be brave so that I can act out my commitment to the things that are important to me. In what will be a full circle moment, I am returning to sparkspacve on Friday to facilitate Steve Farber‘s Extreme Leadership workshop. It will be my first event since becoming a certified facilitator a few months ago.
I am committed. I will be brave. I might fall. But, I might fly.
Do you have #OneWord for 2016? Any revelations, yet?
*Notes from my 2015 Leadercast experience:
- Andy Stanley on bold leadership.
- CMDR Rorke Denver on tackling your fear.
- Malala on bravery and change
- Bill McDermott on filling the white space
- Peyton Manning on game-changing leadership
- Seth Godin on bravery and failure
- Ed Catmull on creativity
- Aja Brown on leading bravely
- Rudi Giuliani on leadership
