Call Out: Looking for Young Documentary Filmmakers
Rise Up Canada (feat. You)
When is the time right to simply burn your gas tank to take massive action on an idea that’s important to you?
Sometimes you’re on top of the ski hill or at the bottom of the hike and all sorts of voices scream at you that it’s too scary or too tedious or too challenging. But then a switch flips and you decide to go all out. After that, there is no time to think. You take Seth Godin’s advice to Sprint!.
In combat training, it’s crucial to learn how to flip that switch, commit to an attack with 100% intent, then flip that switch off. Without the 100% commitment the attack often fails. There are times in life when you cannot get any further in your exploration of an idea or planning of a project unless you make a deep commitment to a particular action for a sustained amount of time. Only then can you learn enough to take the next step.
You can talk about an innovative idea, but until you build a prototype it remains forever an idea.
I think we often wait for another person to lend credence to the idea; we look to an authority to give the figurative nod. Once we receive that nod, then we’re able to begin implementing an idea.
Personally, I need a critical mass of support before I set the gas tank on fire (or I need my brother to egg me on at the top of the slope!). Ultimately, a self-authorizing leader doesn’t need authority from another before striking the match.
I believe timing is everything, as you imply in your opening question Chris. To play on the analogy, one may want to have the proper safety equipment in case the fire gets out of hand. Or one may want to have other people around to fan the flames. Sufficient resources to keep the fire burning may also be necessary (burning gasoline doesn’t necessarily ignite the wood that will lead to a multi-day fire for cooking or heating). If the requisite conditions don’t exist, then there are a few steps that need to be taken before we should see the flame. I wise leader will recognize these conditions and set about making them reality before the urge to start the blaze takes over.