People get up every morning wishing their lives were easier, more interesting, or more fulfilling. Where they are it isn’t enough for them. They want more. This is normal and understandable. The only problem is that they will wake up tomorrow wishing the same thing, having done nothing different the day before to make their wish come true.

The same goes with you. You want to develop your career. Maybe become nationally known in your profession, have clients that are larger than any in the firm, or desire to expand your practice beyond your current region. But you’re reluctant to really step out. Let’s face it—it’s easier to stay the same than to try something new. But staying the same is unlike you, because you’ve tried new things throughout your career.

If you never tried anything new,

• you wouldn’t have conducted your first significant client meeting by yourself
• you wouldn’t have had your first difficult conversation with a staff member.
• you wouldn’t have looked a prospect in the eye and asked for their business.
• you wouldn’t have made an authoritative announcement from a leadership position.
• you wouldn’t have stated with confidence a technical pronouncement that may not be clearly defined yet.

You must continue to put yourself out there. That’s how you gain experience. That’s how you grow. But you’re afraid…

Will I look stupid?

Will I be able to answer the hard questions?

Will I be good enough?

If you’re reading this and you think it doesn’t apply to you, what does that tell you? It means you are living safely within the confines of your small, stable world, doing what you’ve always done. You need to explore what is beyond those confining boundaries in order to expand your experience and grow as a professional. Yes, I’m suggesting you put yourself out there…this week.