It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
In this New Year I'm going to continue to explore some leadership quotes that might challenge us, inspire us or remind us of different aspects of the leadership journey. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.
You can find past posts on my website HERE.
Enjoy!
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
“If failure is not an option, then neither is success." Seth Godin
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
We're continuing with Seth Godin quotes for a couple more weeks and these words from him pack a punch.
Why are we so afraid of failure? Why does it often paralyze our actions, our momentum and our dreams?
Everyone fails.
This is what Walt Disney said about failure:
"I think it's important to have a good hard failure when you're young... because it makes you kind of aware of what can happen to you. Because of it I've never had any fear in my whole life when we've been near collapse and all of that. I've never been afraid."
Many icons in our culture have failed, from Steven Spielberg to J.K. Rowling to Jerry Seinfeld to Abraham Lincoln, and the list continues.
I've failed, and sometimes I just laugh at my past failures and sometimes they still sting a bit.
Godins reminder here is simply that if we're going to succeed, we have to risk failing.
What are you afraid of? What paralyzes you and keeps you from taking a risk on an idea, a dream, a vision?
DEEPER STILL:
I love the story told in Matthew 14 of Jesus walking on the water. What a picture of fear, failure and success, but sometimes I think we miss part of this story.
Jesus came to the disciples on the water, they were very afraid and Peter yells out, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." and Jesus says "Come".
Peter then walks to Jesus on the water.
Of course he gets overwhelmed and he begins to sink and Jesus has to rescue him, but sometimes we focus on his failure instead of his success. Sure, he sank.
But...
He walked on the water to Jesus. That's a win! How many other people have ever done something like that?
Was Jesus disappointed in Peter for taking the chance and failing or was he thrilled to share a few moments on the water with the only one of his disciples that wanted to be with him at that moment?
"Don't be afraid" Jesus said.... "It is I." Don't be afraid to climb out of the boat for something so much greater!
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Find out more about Seth Godin HERE.
I just finished this book, The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact. I had to go back and re-read some of it. Really good stuff!
I enjoyed this great reminder on communication from Andy Stanley and his interview with John Maxwell. Good reminders that apply to everyone. Mastering Communication
This week I enjoyed listening to The Foo Fighters Essentials on Apple. I'm also listening to Dave Grohls autobiography on Audible, The Storyteller.