Playing Above Your Head

To really excel in life, you sometimes have to take a leap of faith, a judgment call, a reach.

In other words, don’t be afraid to play above your head to move to the next level.

We all can keep running in place and stay in our comfort zone.  Sure, time passes and things happen and life is predictable.  Not that we should take huge, life-threatening risks, but, hey, you need to take risks. Life is short.

For example, years ago a friend of mine was going to take his fire fighter’s exam.  Before he had the scores in hand, he had enough confidence (and nerve) to put a down payment on a house.  And since his wife was pregnant, he also had to take action.  He took the leap of faith and he was right–the scores came in, he was hired and enjoyed a long career with our hometown fire department.

Closer to home and related to networking, I have dropped old, comfortable networking groups and gone on to new, untried, unfamiliar groups. Some have worked, some haven’t, but I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t have tried.

When it comes to work, a consultant friend of mine does his pricing based upon the feel he has for the potential client and the project.  Don’t price yourself low (“throw yourself on the bargain pile”) and get the work when a competitive, professional price might have sold.  Price and sell yourself with pride and for who you are and who others perceive you as.  Don’t go low ball just to win business and then not make a profit.  You are entitled to a profit.

Take this new year and attack it.  Go out and conquer something.  Try a new group. Bid on business you didn’t in the past. Refer a friend to someone who needs their help.  Volunteer for something you haven’t done before. Live life and don’t be a spectator.

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