What's Holding You Back?

"Indecision is the thief of opportunity." - Cicero

Are you waiting to do something because you're not sure how to move it forward?

Inaction doesn't give you clarity, action does.

Waiting for more time, money, clarity or support is a prescription for regret.

In fact, the longer you wait, the less likely it is you'll initiate.

Circumstances change and opportunities disappear if you don't ACT on them when you have the chance.

From now on, don't wait until you're ready.

People can't jump on your bandwagon if it's parked in the garage.

Launch your bandwagon - whether that's an idea or a project - so people can jump on it and contribute to its success.

Here's a favorite example of someone who did that - and the people who have benefitted because he acted on what called him instead of coming up with reasons for why he couldn't.

A year after my son Andrew graduated from VA Tech with a business degree, we were having dinner. Andrew had “lucked out” and found a job as an executive recruiter. He was working in a classy downtown office building, making good money and reporting to a respected, well-connected industry icon who was arranging for him to do neat things like work at events with President Obama and Tony Bennett. Not the normal career trajectory.

Yet, as Andrew talked about his work, I could tell the light had gone out in his eyes. There was no spark. In fact, he used a word I’d never heard him use before.?Exhausted.

Exhausted?! How could that be? How was it this normally energetic 20-something who "had it all" was feeling burned out? I asked, “Andrew, what’s up?”

He said, “Mom, I want to quit. I'm grateful for this job, but sitting inside all day at a desk making cold calls is not what I want to do.”

“What do you want to do?”

Andrew said with a huge smile,. “I want to start a non-profit.”

I have to admit, a conservative person I didn’t even know existed in me popped up and perched on the tip of my tongue. This person wanted to say, “Non-profit?! Do you know how many non-profits are going out of business because donations have dried up? How are you going to pay bills? What about health insurance?”

Thank heaven a wiser voice in me prevailed that asked, “Isn’t this exactly what 20-somethings ought to be doing at this stage of their life?. If Andrew doesn’t go for what he wants?now, he may never get a chance later. Good for him for wanting to do work that matters. His dream deserves to be supported, not shut down.”

So, instead of bringing up all the reasons this might not work, I said, “Andrew, you’ve always been resourceful. If you put your mind to it, I know you can pull this off.”

You may be thinking, “But how could Andrew pull this off? He’d never run a non-profit before. He'd never hired a team. Created a business budget and operational policies. Conducted a fund-raising campaign. He?doesn't know how?to make this a success.”

That’s true, and that’s where GTS comes in. GTS stands for Google That Stuff.

Andrew thanked his boss for giving him that job opportunity right out of college – and then promptly got online and Googled “How can I start a non-profit?”

Up came dozens of resources – all telling Andrew exactly what steps he needed to take to "get his bandwagon out of the garage" - how to get a license, develop operating procedures, find, interview and train staff, develop a website and get funding.

In the course of one year, Andrew recruited 20(!) interns and found a co-work space at the Affinity Lab in Washington DC. It was an ideal opportunity to be immersed in an encouraging community instead of operating in isolation where he had to provide all his own energy, discipline and work ethic.

For example, the first week he was there, Matt walked by and asked, “Andrew, what are you working on today?”

Andrew said, "I've been trying to get in touch with the Parks and Recreation department but they never answer their phones." Matt said, "Oh, my friend works there. Here's his number. Tell him I sent you." Voila. That lead was exactly what Andrew needed to jump the chain of command and arrange for a water-sports event at a local lake park.

A few months later, another Affinity Lab colleague walked by and asked Andrew "Whazzup?" He said, “I’m applying for a grant, but this paperwork is so complicated." She said “Oh, we did that last year. You can use our proposal and use it as a template.” That shortcut meant Andrew didn't have to re-create the wheel and he got the needed funding.

Andrew never had to figure it all by himself because he had surrounded himself with colleagues who shared and supported his vision and had his back … and front.

The result? Thousands of young people with disabilities have gotten off the sidelines and into the games of life because of?Dreams for Kids/DC. They have hosted Extreme Recess days with the Washington Nationals, Capitals, Wizards, Mystics and United teams, and positively influenced many deserving young people through their Dream Leader programs.

The point?

None of this would have happened if Andrew had given into his doubts and waited for everything to be perfect to get his bandwagon out of the garage.

What is something you want to launch?

Are you hesitating because you haven't done this before and don’t know what to do?

Get online right now and GTS a dream project that would put the light on in your eyes. Phrase what you want to launch "How do I start a ___?" and put it into your favorite search engine. Up will come dozens of resources to help you on your way.

Want to write a book? Google "How can I write a book?" Want to become a ballroom dancer? Google "Where can I take ballroom dance lessons near me?" Want to launch a business? Google "How can I start my own ___ ?" and then fill in the blanks, e.g., dog walking service, web design agency, Little Library in my neighborhood?

From now on, don't wait for more time, money, clarity or support.

GTS your dream right now. In minutes, you'll discover mini-steps you can take TODAY - not SOMEDAY - to get your idea or project out of the garage and moving forward.

You'll never regret setting that dream in motion. You'll only regret not doing it sooner.

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