A few years ago, I attended a conference at a local community college. The first workshop I went to started with the author of a book holding up his book in the front of the classroom. He announced that anyone could have the book and a ten dollar bill if they came up front and got it.
No one moved. The workshop attendees looked around at each other, self-conscious and hesitant. Who’s going to move first? we all wondered.
Finally, one young guy stood up from the back row and ambled up to the front of the room. He plucked the book out of the author’s hand and was given ten dollars.
The speaker told us that this was a metaphor for life. Everything we want is waiting for us, we just have to get over our own insecurities or lack-of-action and go for it.
I couldn’t tell you what the workshop was about or who the author-slash-speaker even was, but this demonstration stuck with me and I still think about it years later. What could I be going for? What could I be doing if I wasn’t so scared of looking stupid or putting myself out there? Why don’t I just do it?
Dreams are scary. Sharing dreams with others is scary, because what if I fail?
I was recently reading Creative, Inc. (great book, by the way. Highly recommend if you’re a self-employed creative) and came across a line that I immediately wrote down:
(Well, I added the last bit.)
Good things don’t come to those who wait. Good things come to those who go get the good things.
I really like that metaphor. Thanks for sharing the motivation!
I love this. So much. Yes.
I needed this today. Thank you.
Needed this! Thank you so much!!!
Great post and so true! Just what I needed to read right now as well. ;)
OK. So this is the MOST inspiring thing I’ve heard in the longest time. And this is THE day I needed to hear it. :) Thank you. Going to get it. Now.
Wow! What a metaphor, and what a great quote – thanks for sharing!
I am reading “Unlimited” by Jillian Michaels right now and she says a very similar thing. We all have a right to be successful and no one is really holding us back by ourselves. The biggest part is taking action. The hardest part is getting the courage to get up and do it. Great post Ash!
Great reminder for the self-employed and the self-empowered. Thanks!
Yes! I love this. I see a version of this in what I do. People feel so entitled to a certain job and it’s like, why? What have you done to EARN it? You can’t just show up, drop some names, and expect the world. You’ve got to work hard to get what you want.
Great post and very, very true.