The First Draft of Anything is $hit

Well, it's true, isn't it?

This was in my inbox this morning: "Any great and inspiring leader or organization that ever existed set out to do something completely unrealistic." (Simon Sinek)

There's a sign in my office bathroom that says: "If anyone ever tells you your dreams are silly, remember there's some millionaire walking around who invented the pool noodle."

I feel like we - regardless what stage of our evolution we're in - hold ourselves back. We act too cautiously. We worry too much about what'll work and how we'll be judged.

We worry about perfecting an idea before turning it loose. And we create a space that causes others to do the same - we expect perfection, don't we?

And we miss out on opportunities to discover our own greatness and we stifle the greatness of others.

This isn't to say we should act recklessly, take on unnecessary risk or be thoughtless. To me, these three quotes give us permission to think bigger, to throw away the excuses and to support someone's potential rather than criticize their efforts.

Take a minute, if you would, and think about:
(1) the ways you hold yourself and others back. The words that you say, the thoughts you allow to linger and the inaction you allow.
(2) how you have or can push past the initial thoughts of 'that won't work because...' or 'what a silly idea!'. How do you take a crazy idea and make it something great - even life-changing?

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I challenge you to share a story of when you stopped holding yourself back and saw the impossible happen. I know you have one. Come. Inspire others with it.