Three Ideas

I was in a mentoring conversation yesterday with a friend, and there was an exchange of some very nice ideas. I am sharing three nuggets I and my friend uncovered through the chat.

1. Action leads to confidence. But many times, we look to gain confidence before committing to any action. We think, “I am not sure I am ready for this yet,” when in reality, we will become ready only when we take action. Always remember- Confidence comes only with taking action, not before.
2. “I am working on it” is a dirty sentence. Avoid it. A present continuous state of execution means nothing. If someone asks you for a status update, provide the status-either you have completed or not completed. If you have not completed the work, say, “I have not yet completed the work. I hope to have it done by such and such time…”. When you say, “I am working on it,” it’s a nice way to hide the status without saying anything. If possible, avoid this sentence in your daily vocabulary. You will improve the quality of your execution.
3. Doing something feels risky, while not doing something feels safe. Inertia keeps you in your comfort zone, and this may feel safe. The converse is often more accurate. What feels safe is always likely to be risky and what appears risky is where safety is, because like you, others also see it as dangerous and don’t do it. There is less competition in what appears risky, and that is what makes it safer.

Two amazing quotes brilliantly capture the gist of the ideas I exchanged with my young friend.

“If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later,”

Richard Branson

“How much I missed, simply because I was afraid of missing it.”

Paulo Coelho.