Think Change

Every what is easy when we have our why.

Always expect the best, but be prepared for the worst.

Aren't you too young for that?

I heard this a lot when I was younger. There is this thinking that you have to pay your dues, get an acceptable experience, and follow a specific, narrow path before you can chase your dreams.

Not only does this thinking attempt to create a lot of cookie-cutter professionals, but it makes us think we have to wait.

We don't.

I remember my first gig when a member of the board challenged my qualifications–and age–to run things and serve as an executive.

For the most part, I ignored him by implementing a policy where we "refused" titles. But I also knew that he wasn't supportive and was not going to be helpful; his priorities were off. Instead of encouraging us to build (in our case, rebuild a dying nonprofit) and help us out, he was more concerned with titles and whether I had paid my dues (even as I had plenty of success to prove it).

This was one of those: it's impossible until someone does it.

Once I raised dollars, expanded programming, and exponentially grew participation, he became the biggest cheerleader.

This taught me two lessons:

1) People will doubt you until you prove them wrong; ignore their doubts.
2) Whenever you feel ready to do something, just go for it. It doesn't matter whether you're 25 or 45.

Be an ally to those who are suffering.