“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves, too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred…Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power , and magic in it. Begin it now.” – Johann Wolfang von Goethe

Wow. Can you feel the intensity of those words? They are encouragement to go after what you dream you can do. One guy said that people make decisions by goals or by fear. If we do not have our goals in mind clearly, then we default to fear. Most of us are just real good at hiding that fact and embroider the lesser decision. We don’t go after what we really want then. Don’t compromise. Get clear on what you want. Then go after it. If you don’t have fortitude inside, be sure to hang out with friends who will encourage you in the way of your dreams, not reinforce your fears.

“Why should you learn on your own money and make
mistakes that cost you money? You should learn on someone else’s
dime. That’s the easiest way to do things.” – Martin Grunder

Charles Shipman Payson transported sugar in the 1940′s on freighters. He did
it in liquid form because sugar was taxed heavily otherwise. The
problem came when the container vessels were corroding from the sugar.
The problem turned into an opportunity. He put his own money to work
and hired a couple of chemists and the result was stainless steel – a
product that has revolutionized the world.

After you find your passion, you could go out and start a business
making all the mistakes you inevitably will. However, you can do like
Payson and learn on someone else’s dime – making observations, working
problems, understanding issues. If you would love to open a
restaurant, go work for the best restaurant in the world. Or welding?
Go work for a welding shop. Todd Duncan, in High Trust Selling,
talks about the Law of the Ladder. All your present successes are a
result of past steps. Is your present circumstance helping you get
where you want to end up? Or will it take you adrift in five years?
Consider your steps that they might be leveraged. Get skills from
others who are willing to give you a job in your passion.

In the movie, Troy, the warrior Achilles is summoned to take
on the brute champion of an opposing army. On his way out, a little
boy tells him the man is big and fierce and that he would be scared to
face him. Achilles answers beautifully, “That is why no one will
remember your name.” He rides off to conquer this opponent and his
army. It’s a beautiful scene of pure ego.

I wonder, would people pity the boy or desire to be like Achilles?
Does our fear define us and make us anonymous? Is that good enough?
If so, that is who you are. If you want greatness, then don’t let a
small thing like fear stop you. Overcome it and get your name
remembered. We don’t necessarily have to kill giant ogres, but we do
have to face our fears.