Risky Business

There are times when life demands an outstanding performance from you in a leading role.  When you fall in love, go for your degree at midlife, deliver the presentation of your career at an annual meeting, or decide to blog for 31 days, you risk revealing yourself to others in an intimidatingly honest way.

Circumstances may not conspire to catapult you into the lime light every day.  But they may do so often enough to encourage you to consider leaping to the next level of your personal and professional evolution.  

They might also threaten you into playing it safe.  They trick you into believing there is safety in hiding, security in the status quo.  Not being seen, heard, or assumed spectacular in any way may have its appeal.  No expectations. No accountability.  No chance of public humiliation.  

No problem, except that it keeps you small.  And playing small has its price.  Like the price of nice, one day you may no longer be able to pay it.

You know there are seeds of brilliance within you.  You also have an innate understanding of the conditions required to bring them to fruition.  The question is, do you create these conditions in your life on a regular basis? 

One of the benefits of playing a bigger game is acknowledging your larger identity.  Recognizing yourself as a swan instead of a duckling or member of the Duck Dynasty presents you with an entirely different agenda.  

Even if you are an artist working among accountants, you can contribute to that culture in a creative way.  If you dare to bare instead of blend, you might inspire others or, at the very least, become the stuff of urban legends.

The world doesn’t need more carbon copies. The world craves originals.  

For example, students used to come to my exercise studio not because a celebrity or master trainer was leading the class.  They came because I'd entertain them with insights from the edge, ask them if they’d like to wear sequins or fringe in their first exercise video, and inquire about their kids or grandkids, all while politely requesting they remain in the plank position for another thirty seconds. 

They knew they'd have a better chance of being themselves with me than at their jobs or in any number of other situations they might find themselves in during the day.  They understood when they were dressed to sweat the distinctions between doctor and dog walker dissolved.  Everyone was equally impressive.  Especially if they wore sequins and fringe.

It’s a paradox that one of our deepest desires is to be known and yet we go to extreme lengths to keep our true selves hidden not only from each other but ourselves.  

It's risky business, this hiding your light under a bushel, no?  Blogging, tweeting, pinning, or posting updates about every event in your life is not required.  There is such a thing as too much information.

But there's also this great conversation starter that goes like this, "Really?  Tell me more."

For 30 days you've allowed me to tell you more.  Now it's your turn.  I'd be honored if you'd tell me more.  

Share if you dare.