I love to know what books others are reading or who they’re following on social media. It’s fun to stumble upon new resources and thought leaders. But once in a while I meet someone who “isn’t into that stuff.” They usually follow-up with a comment like, “I took a leadership class in college; leadership is leadership – no need to keep reading about it.” You could substitute any subject matter for the word leadership in that last line and the context would be the same – why bother, nothing changes.

First, let me say, to each their own. Everyone has their things, and things that are not their things. Anyone that knows me would easily tell you that pretty much anything that requires being outdoors in the heat, humidity and blazing sun, is not my thing. Part of that is my aversion to being hot and swatting bugs, part of it is because I’m damn pale and fry despite preventative measures. Leadership (insert any topic of choice) may not be their thing. To each their own.

However, this is my response to those that question continuous study in areas of personal and professional growth. It’s like the Gospel.

If you were churched growing up and throughout your life you have heard the exact …same…stories…every year or two. Yet, each time they hit you in a different way. Why? You’re not the same person you were when you were at age 7, or 16 or 29 or 38 or now. Your understanding of the world is different, your perspective, your cache of experiences. Circumstances and issues in your life have changed over time. You have an ability to understand the metaphors and binary meanings of many parables in a way you may not have when you were younger or even last year. Throw in the factor that the priest giving the homily (Catholic girl here) may be different than the last time you heard this particular Gospel, or his message is new because he has changed over the last year too.

The underlying truths are the same. Circumstances are different. You’re different. The delivery method may be different. The person delivering the lesson may be different. So you’re going to be exposed to, hear, understand, learn and apply the lessons differently this time. And you will next time as well.

I may be using the word Gospel, but this is an interfaith or even agnostic concept. If I swapped out Gospel for Leadership in the example above the same would be true. That is why continuous or refreshing one’s study in areas of personal and professional growth is important. It isn’t a one and done deal, like learning a skill that never changes. It is an ongoing deepening and expansion of one’s understanding of concepts alongside exploration of application. It’s discovery. It’s ah-has.

Now, because I work with experts, and emerging thought leaders, who often are the very teachers from whom we’re learning, I hear the other side of this question as well. “There are so many people coaching/speaking/teaching on XYZ topic, how can I possibly add anything new or make a difference?”

The same Gospel of Growth lesson applies. You’re teaching core truths. Whether they’re brand new concepts or science, or tried and true methods, the perspective, experiences, examples and approach you bring to the subject is how you make a difference. It is your genius. What you share and how you share it with the world will be different. Who is drawn to you and is ready to hear and apply what you are teaching will make a difference to them and you. You never know if your article is the 100^th time someone has read about something, but you are the first to explain it in a way that they truly understand. You will have an impact. You just may not always know exactly when, where, why, to whom or how.

So the next time you’re questioning if you really need another book on ABC topic or should bother taking that course, consider these questions: What’s different about it, about the teacher, about you? How have you grown? How might you grow? Would you gain a new perspective?

Happy growing!

BECCA

Originally posted May 19, 2015.

So we justify or rationalize in our head that we’ll wait until tomorrow, or next month, or next year. Suddenly it is that “next” delineation of time and we’re no more willing to take it on. Maybe that hesitation is there for good reason and is keeping you safe. Maybe it is just fear or ego and not in your best interest. It is worth it to figure out which it is so that you can release the idea forever or prepare to move forward.

In 2000 (yes, I’m dating myself here), I had to decide whether or not to take on graduate school. Logically it didn’t make a lick of sense. I was young in my career and could wait. I was in a corporate job that had me on a plane almost every week; working 50-60 hours + travel every week. In my spare time I was the head of a very active, county-wide political organization during a significant election year, and involved at the state and national levels. Plus I was in my mid-twenties just having a lot of fun out with friends. Starting graduate school in the midst of that was a terrible idea.

But I did it. I did it because I wanted it and my desire was bigger than my fear or excuses. I did it because time marches on. If I didn’t start, then in two years it would still be 2002…I just wouldn’t have a masters degree.

So I did it, and it was difficult for all the reasons I anticipated. I even had to do some crazy things to make it work. For example, I hauled an extra piece of luggage on a work trip halfway across the country with all my thesis research materials so that I could work on it back in the hotel each night after 12 hour days. You do what you have to do when you’re committed. I wouldn’t change my decision for anything.

Now I frequently remind myself of that time in my life when I’m fuzzy about taking action on something that seems big, hard to squeeze into my life, or is going to take a really long time to complete. I weigh how much I really want it and what kind of difference it will make in my life, against the “reasons” I’m using to hold back. Sometimes it really is best to hold off for a while. I have to admit, I’m really good at rationalizing why not to do something right now (when it is just fear holding me back). More often I’m reminded of the reality that time waits for no one. Now is the time to take the leaps of faith. Now is the time to take the first few steps of a long journey. Now is the time.

Here are my questions for you:

• What do you keep saying you really want, but you keep putting off to tomorrow, next week, next month, next year?
• What would you gain if you did it?
• What if you started now? How would your future look differently?
• If you don’t start now how will that impact your future? Will things be the same as they are now, better, or worse?
• What’s the worst case scenario? Can you handle it? If so, do it.
• Even if you took action today and it didn’t turn out like you hoped, what good would still come of the experience? Would you at least shift the energy in the direction of your dreams?
• How can you make it work?
• How will you feel if you never take action and the option to do so disappears?

This applies to all aspects of your life and business.

I’m writing this near the New Year, but this isn’t about resolutions. It is about realizing that the time is now. If you don’t start now, next month it will be _______ and you still won’t be any closer. Next year it will be ___________ and you still won’t be any closer.

Time flies and you can never get it back. Start now.

To your intuitive leaps of faith.

Becca

Originally posted January 7, 2015