I have been trying to figure out how to start my 2021 blog series off. It has been a struggle, which I find so surprising. There is so much to research, explore, talk about, discover, and more. About two hours ago, I had a breakthrough after a conversation with a rock star. Not a Mick Jagger type of rock star, but a rockin’ leader nonetheless. It is so exciting to be working with this amazing individual.
“Why can’t we do that?” We talked about this and are working on a presentation to discuss how often in our personal and professional lives that we say, “I can’t do that.” NO. Our question should be, “Why can’t we do that?” Ha, five words that jogged this brain to think about how I want to approach so much this year. “Why can’t we do that?”
2020 was no doubt one of the most challenging years we have all experienced. I would ask that we also remember how incredibly brutal this last year was for some…so incredibly wrong. As I mentioned last time, the challenge of 2020 also provided some really awesome opportunities to seal some cracks, paint a few cracks, spruce up a few cracks, and just not give a shit about a few cracks. In the face of uncertainty and hardship, it is hard to see the opportunities in front of us. That hardship is why it is so crucial that we tap into compassion and empathy and LIFT others up. As Paul Wellstone said, “When we all do well, we all do well.” The creativity, compassion, strength, innovation, and more were incredible to see and exciting because I know there is goodness happening and more coming. Disheartening was seeing the constant, “I can’t do that” from far too many leaders. Sooooo…
“Why can’t we do that?” is what I want this year to be about. Why can’t we do this process? Why can’t we get rid of this? Why can’t we hire that person? Why can’t I apply for that job? Why can’t I try this new software? Why can’t I ask that person for help? Why can’t we buy that? Why can’t we take this direction? Why can’t I post this? Why can’t I ask my boss? Why can’t I say no? Why can’t I say yes? Why can’t we DO THAT? Why can’t I DO THAT?
I want you to ask “Why can’t we/I…” and then push yourself out of your fears and inaccurate perceptions. I want you to be afraid and take a risk. I want you to push yourself and grow. I want you to stop being afraid to learn about things you never would have before 2020. I want you to embrace the unknown and know that sometimes it will fail. I want you to embrace that failure and ask again, “Why can’t we/I…”
2021 MUST push us even more out of our comfort zone, and it damn well better push us to clear our lens of the world and see the incredible strength in the new, the beauty of those around us, the strengths of the people we would never expect, the knowledge that is waiting to be known, and even more important, the knowledge that scares the hell out of us.
“Why can’t we do that?” The question for 2021. Let us rock it, friends. We have more to lose if we do not ask it than we do of taking the chance. Who’s with me?
Reach out if I can help with your “Why can’t we/I do that?” question. I would love to help you explore your unknowns…and rock the world out of the results.