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How Ordinary People Achieve Extraordinary Things
By By Deborah Rosado Shaw
Take a good look around. Bring to mind ordinary women who have achieved extraordinary things; Mother Theresa, Marie Curie, Sojourner Truth, Justice Sotomayor, your Tia Teresa who may have singlehandedly worked three jobs to support her children and extended family to achieve their dreams.
How did they get to achieve such extraordinary things?
I know some of you are thinking they were born with something special. They got sprinkled with a magic dust that had them be smarter or more courageous or more determined. I admit I used to think this too. And then over time I got to meet, coach and work with some of the most extraordinary women of our time; Fortune 100 CEO’s, ground breaking scientists, world-class athletes. And what I learned is that there are no caped crusaders here. No genetic predisposition to anything magnificent.
Just ordinary people living out extraordinary lives, one decision at a time. And so can you!
Here’s how ordinary people achieve extraordinary things:
1. They Create A Commitment To Something Bigger Than Themselves
By the way it doesn’t matter what you are committed to - a better educational experience for your children, feeding the hungry, animal rescue, being part of a great team that generates outstanding results - it just has to beckon you, move you and inspire you. Think about the heartbroken mother whose beautiful 13-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver. Sitting in her daughter’s empty bedroom, she pledged to do something about it. Together with a determined group of grieving mothers with no office, no money and no clout they created MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), a movement that has created a mountain of traffic safety and victims’ rights legislation and has saved thousands and thousands of lives.
2. They Know Perfection is Not Required
How often are we waiting for perfection before we move? How many of us give up before we even try because we know we can’t do it perfectly? I’d like you to ask yourself: “What ‘pretty good’ but imperfect action could I take right now to bring an idea, a relationship, a project, a dream to life?”
Look, I’m not the perfect entrepreneur, I’ve never had a perfect business. I’ve lost money, trusted the wrong people, hired the wrong people. Yet, I built and sold a multi-million dollar company and today consult with private equity firms and fast growth entrepreneurs to help them grow their companies.
Not too long ago, my brother had a second kidney transplant at the age of 35. And while he got the best medicine available, it isn’t perfect medicine. There is no perfect medicine that makes up for complete kidney failure. But there is “pretty good” medicine – good enough that instead of preparing his funeral, he is preparing for the rest of his life. Don’t mistake what I am saying. These doctors have great training, great discipline and great commitment and you must too. Whatever you are facing, stop waiting for the just right perfect move to make. Give it the best you have right now!
3. They Stop Fighting Fear
You can’t be courageous if you are never afraid. This means you have to regularly have a good shake in your boots!! If you’re doing anything worthwhile, you’ll have plenty of moments of feeling afraid. DON’T FIGHT IT!!
Next time you raise your hand at a meeting, or make that terrifying request, or fill out a college or job application or pitch that business, notice what it feels like. When you experience fear, your body actually releases glucose, adrenaline and other energy producing chemicals. Your heart rate increases, your breathing becomes shallow.
This is the energy that ordinary people use to accomplish extraordinary things. Use it to your advantage. Whatever you are up to in life, you too can achieve great things. We each come equipped with everything we need to experience an extraordinary life full of great joy, incredible passion, satisfaction and profound peace. The question is whether or not we will allow ourselves to live it.
Deborah Rosado Shaw is a Fortune 500 Advisor, award-winning entrepreneur, career & success coach, author & speaker. To join our mailing list or download a copy of Deb’s free success strategies audio go to: www.debshaw.com . For more information, email deb@debshaw.com.
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