Choosing to be unstoppable

This week's post is for those of us who seek to make a difference - for the good.

Have you ever tried to do something different and felt exposed to the cutting winds of isolation? - alone, disconnected and criticised? There seems to be a deep-rooted need, within most of us, to feel included and accepted.  However we choose to describe different - it is a lonely space to occupy - fully open to the scrutiny and ridicule of others.  What's worse is that many see different as threatening - a rogue element needing to be recovered, mitigated, alienated or eliminated.  

This defensiveness is understandable, particularly if the change threatens the 'health' of the whole - but, in reality, most of the time it does not.  The difference simply challenges the culture of comfort enjoyed by the many.  

Leading change requires courage; the courage to stand exposed and to 'do our thing' until others find the courage to join.  Leading change sometimes requires us to 'dance as if no-one is watching' and yet to trust that they are getting the beat.  This clip is worth watching.  I saw it on one of Seth Godin's blog posts a couple of years ago and have often about it since:

 

Resisting the temptation to write our lead dancer's performance off to chemicals, let's just assume that he was dancing simply because he felt that it was the right thing to do at the time.  Talk about exposed.  Every one else is sitting around - and he is not just swaying to the music - he's going for it.  The camera's are on him and over 4 million people have watched his performance.  We could say that a minute on his own is not so long - but another clip on YouTube shows him full-on dancing for at least 8 minutes before this song ever started.  In the end his persistence pays dividends - people realise that he is unstoppable and they are drawn to join him - from a trickle to a rush.

Being unstoppable is a choice we can make.  We can step into the open and start the dance or we can look for those that are already out there and join them..  Every change worth making has a tipping point ,after which momentum takes care of the rest.  In this example it took at least three.  After that it was easy.  It takes real courage to stand or join before the tipping point is reached and yet they are the only ones that really make a difference - even if they don't always get the credit.  

It makes me wonder where I might be hiding in the crowd, going with the flow and keeping my head down.  It also makes me wonder where I might be faltering - worrying too much about the opinion of others.  Whether first or third - and no matter how long it feels we have been up there on our own - others will come.  We just need to prove ourselves to be unstoppable.  

Food for thought....

Comments

[Mark Feenstra]

nice one John, I can feel the old bones moving to the beat

[Pete York]

Hey Cossie, I have been to your course in Brisy about 2 yrs ago, read the books and enjoy the weekly newsletters. I relate to many of them and often catch myself BOXING too.

This weeks food for thought is very real about who I am and what others have done around me ... I'm sure plenty of people want to dance but a scared of what may or may not happen.

Well done love your work
Pete Tba

[Cossie]

Hi Pete. Great to hear from you. I remember the course well and you in particular. Your stories were unforgettable. I know for myself that there are many times when I have felt the impulse to dance - either on my own or in response to another - and have sat quietly until there was a crowd to safely blend into. I also know that the few times that I have responded to the impulse are some of the most exhilerating and rewarding moments of my life. Keep pumping the pedals brother - you change people's lives. Cheers. Cossie