“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”~Michelangelo
One of my clients has a symbol of inspiration on his desk – a paperweight with a simple yet mighty question – “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” He said this question opens his mind and helps him to see new directions. The paperweight, and question, sit on my desk as well – as a reminder that I need to reach for the things that really matter to me and not limit myself through fear or doubt.
So often we ask for too little or give less than our all to a situation. In a universe of limitless possibilities, there are always more options, solutions, and answers than we can even imagine – and we are often more capable and equipped to soar through circumstances than we ever thought. We may believe that there are boundaries or limits on how far we can reach or what we can do, but the truth is that we generally impose those boundaries and limits on ourselves. The internal chatter in our mind tells us what we can’t do and shouldn’t do, rather than what we can do, or can at least try. Trying is a chance to take a risk and go for the golden ring. Life is too short to not allow yourself all you may want, simply because you’re afraid to try or to ask.
In a universe of limitless possibilities, what would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
Pick one area of your life and/or work and develop a stretch goal for yourself – one that makes you smile as you write it down. Write down the goal and imagine your life in full detail with it achieved.
BONUS
Feel free to take the first small step towards this goal, and see where the momentum takes you!
How have you reached high and gotten even more than you imagined?
Please leave a comment to share.
If you enjoyed this post, you can read more like it in our book, The Power of Thoughtful Leadership: 101 Minutes To Being the Leader You Want To Be, available on Amazon.
For support in reaching high, contact Lisa at lkohn@chatsworthconsulting.com.
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