Principle: Find your voice and conquer the fear of failure by taking small, calculated risks each day.
How much time do you spend doing the true work that really adds value on a daily basis? Because that work is your voice. It is the unique combination of passions, skills, and experiences with which you alone are capable of approaching your work. However, many people succumb to the paralyzing forces of fear and choose to stay “close to the middle” or simply do what’s expected by others rather than engaging in the small risks necessary to uncover and apply their voice to their work. In doing this, they sadly leave much of their unique contribution unrealized.
Follow the Arrows
It was the willingness to face the possibility of rejection that eventually led to a discovery of something unexpected and incredibly valuable. There was no guarantee of success. However, few succeed in being remarkable without the willingness to embrace the potential of failure.
You will discover your voice through tiny clues that become apparent over time, and as you follow them and apply what you learn to your work. Here are a few ways to begin that process.
- Plan for experimentation
- Apply peripheral aptitudes to your problems
- Open your eyes
- Do the obvious
Notice, Then Act on What You See
I (Todd Henry) often use the phrase “cover bands don’t change the world” to describe the need to pursue a unique voice rather than simply imitating others. A cover band plays other people’s music, and often fills venues and makes money, and may even provide good entertainment. However, when a better cover band comes along, one that plays slightly better versions of the same music, it’s out of a job because there wasn’t anything unique about it. Cover bands are often quickly forg0tten, but the music lives on.
This doesn’t mean that imitation is always wrong. In fact, imitation is a key part of early growth and development as you are discovering your voice. You imitate others in order to build the skills and platform you need to perform at a basic level of competence. However, you cannot rely on imitation forever as a shortcut to success, or your work will be hollow, and without a foundation. In order to add lasting, meaningful value, you must begin at some point to take risks and to experiment with your own form of expression. Your understanding of how best to do that will develop slowly as you find a better context for what you’re really good at. This happens when you take small, daily calculated risks in how you approach your work.
Start now, but don’t rush. Walk slowly, and you’ll discover your voice along the way.
* Source: Die Empty by Todd Henry