Seth Godin advises (again) to avoid regret by seizing opportunity now
I have to say, I love me some Seth Godin.
And what’s not to love?
He’s smart, witty, unique. And he is a true Thought Leader.
It’s his job to think. And to make you and me sit up and think.
A week ago today on the first day of the year (and of the decade), Seth wrote an especially thought-provoking post that was essentially about avoiding regret altogether by proactively seizing opportunity now.
You can read his post here, as well as the one he wrote near the end of the last decade.
Clearly, we live in challenging times where risk appears, well, risky.
However, NOT taking risks to embrace our potential to be great and do great things in this New Economy is also risky…..perhaps more so, because you’re left disillusioned, frustrated, and pitiful because you played it safe.
The slightly odd thing about Seth’s post is that he opens recounting the story of friend who lamented that he had wasted 7 months at a job with nothing to show for the blood, sweat and tears. He commented that if he knew when he accepted the job what he knows now, “you can bet I would have done something a lot more fun.”
He goes on to explain that this is a recurrent theme for many people who effectively miss the boat every decade by playing it safe, rather than going for their dreams.
Says Seth:
“Maybe ten years is too long a period of time to plan for. So how about seven? Seven years from now, what will you have to show for what you’re doing right now?”
Seven years, Seth? You’re friend couldn’t see ahead seven MONTHS!
I’m thinking it may be time to get really clear on who and where we want to be on December 31, 2010 — which is 1 year away, not 7 — and resolve to grab the brass ring of opportunity each day in the direction of that dream.
