Image courtesy of Mike Von via Unsplash
I follow an influencer on LinkedIn. Every morning, right around the time I take my first sip of coffee, I receive a notification to his latest post.
Most of his content is filled with the latest corporate buzzwords, CXO namedrops and half-cocked attempts to be prolific.
His writing would be considered au currant… if we were living in 2016. His tone is just shy of being considered pedantic - except the subject matter has been distributed by a half dozen others months prior. Those half dozen others are venerable leaders in their fields and possess hands-on knowledge of which he claims to have experience.
But he clearly doesn’t.
He parrots the latest management theories being sold and his writing is the least imaginative text I will read throughout the day.
Why don't I unsubscribe, you ask?
My Answer: It's a daily reminder to get off my ass.
There can be a sick pleasure in tearing down other's efforts.
And, contrary to the adage, being a spectator is not a sport.
To quote Michael Jordan, "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed."
The NBA free throw percentage is just 73 percent.
That means a little more than 2 of every 10 shots is going to be a dud.
And people witness it on live tv.
But there are metaphorical "shots" that we will be asked to take in our lives.
And there is a chance people could be watching.
So, what are we going to do about it?
Do we hide?
Do we tell people to look away?
Or do we take the damned shot?
My Answer: Always take the shot.
Because National championships - or multi-million dollar sneaker deals - aren’t extended to those just sitting courtside.
Championships are extended to those doing the basics every day and putting it out there for all the world to see.
Knowing there is a chance they will miss.
But a bigger knowing that theirs may be the shot that changes the outcome of the sport completely.
And that’s why I force myself to read every innocuous post he sends.
Less for the joy… but more as a reminder to get in the game myself.
Reading’s easy. Posting is harder.
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Thank you for this reminder, Christy. I am constantly reminding myself that there is no reward without risk, so take the risk with confidence.