“Any great and inspiring leader or organization that ever existed set out to do something completely unrealistic.”
Simon Sinek
When I read this quote it struck me, as I am one for seeming at times “unrealistic”. I cannot count the times in my life that someone told me something was not possible, that I lived in a fantasy world, that my I needed to be “realistic.”
What is realistic anyway? Is it not in the eye of the beholder? I wonder what would have happened if some of the greatest leaders, athletes, scientists and educators listened to the naysayers. Our world would not be as rich, that I know for sure. The greatest inventions, cures, technology and businesses have been born out of awesome people not listening to those who say it’s not possible.
A quote I shared last month has become my mantra, and possibly my next tattoo. It speaks so much to this principle of “realistic”. The quote from Rose Etheridge begins with “Follow Your Inner GPS…” That is so powerful to me, as I believe that we each have our own reality, our own dreams and desires and nobody can tell us if its right or not.
Each of us possesses within us great abilities to make amazing things happen. And so many times, our light is dimmed by someone who does not dream as big as we do.
If I had listened to the naysayers I would not have:
Gone to college
Dropped out of college
Gone to beauty school (did not drop out, did awesome instead)
Worked for one of the greatest professional haircare companies in the world
Become VP of Marketing for that company
Gracefully walked away from “the greatest career in the world”
Started my own business
Began writing a book with the dream of being a published author
What “unrealistic” things have you done that make your heart smile? What would you do if anything was possible?
Next time you have a thought, idea or plan that feels right to you, and you have gathered all of the tools and resources you need to make it happen, remember to follow your inner GPS.
