You're Readier Than You Think

MTYL Memo #8—More than continued preparation, you might actually need some good old-fashioned overcommitted.

Here’s a quick little story for your Monday. This one goes out to other big dreamers who sometimes also feel inadequate, anxious, or like they’re not ready.

Something like a decade ago, I went to my very first caucus meeting. My early 30s felt like a good time to get civically involved, and I looked forward to observing the happenings.

Cindy had other plans for me, though. Cindy was my favorite coworker’s now-former step-mother-in-law, and she seemingly saw political potential in me.

She nominated me—for three separate offices. I was so new that I didn’t know there would be nominations, and was so surprised by my nominations that I didn’t know how to decline.

Thankfully, and somehow, I didn’t make the final rounds for two of the offices.

Then they announced that in a few minutes, all nominees for the third office would “give their speeches.” Speech? What speech? I scribbled some bullet points down on scrap paper, and proceeded to give a knock-your-socks-off speech.

Just kidding—it was nothing profound. But since I didn’t have time to overcraft something, it was heartfelt and very honest. And the packed room of civically-minded strangers apparently liked it, since they voted me in.

The point is this: You don’t need to be anyone other than who you are to do interesting and useful things. Sure, you might actually need to learn more relevant knowledge for what you want to do, and will hopefully continually hone your skills and expertise, but you’re readier than you know—to show up as your uncurated self.

You just have to get out of your own head and house, because that’s where you can get wonderfully overcommitted to things you are totally ready for.

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P.S. Can I let you in on a little secret? Even with all the big risks I’ve taken over the years—leaving corporate jobs twice, traveling Europe and the U.S. for two years, starting my own businesses, writing a book—I’m figuring out big dreamer stuff right along with you. I write and share what I’ve learned, and what I need to hear often in case you need to hear it, too. If you’re not subscribed already, I’d love to have your company on this Big Dreamer Road ❤️