Daily Inspiration: “Only the timid let small things get in the way of big opportunities!”

“Only the timid let small things get in the way of big opportunities!” – Futurist Jim Carroll

It takes courage to go forward into the future.

I found that to be a part of the keynote I delivered in London, England on Saturday. And as I think about it, I realize that’s a key theme that has crept into many of my keynotes over the years. That’s because of the feedback I often get from folks who approach me after my keynote. They’ll tell me about their challenges in trying to overcome the barriers they perceive in moving forward, or their apprehension about what comes next. “I know I’ve got to be pursuing what you are talking about,” they’ll say, “but I’m kind of scared to start!”

This issue goes to the heart of one of my themes: “Some people see the future and see a threat – but innovators see the same future and see an opportunity.” You can choose to let the future scare you – or not!

If you view the trends swirling around you with fear – that you won’t be able to deal with them, master them, adapt to them – you’ll view them in a negative light. But if you focus on getting over the fear of what the future might bring, you shift into an entirely different mindset – you’ve found your future-proof courage!

Here’s why you need that courage – you are surrounded by people who want to diminish your big ideas, detract you from your big goals, and hold you back from your opportunities. They’ll tell you that:

• your ideas won’t work
•  it’s not the right time to pursue them
• your goals are too big
• your ideas are too grandiose
• they are too complicated to achieve
• you’ll probably fail
• someone else will just come along and steal your idea
• it’s not the right time to try new things.
• it’s the dumbest thing they’ve ever heard
• you shouldn’t put yourself at risk

All of this will breed uncertainty in your mind, and uncertainty is the root of fear. Banish the uncertainty, and you’ll banish fear. If you don’t, indecision will drive your day:

It’s particularly important to confront your fear when faced with economic volatility and an economic downturn!

Fear drives uncertainty, and uncertainty drives indecision. Banish the fear, and you’ve got a recipe for moving forward. That’s why you have to have the courage to pursue a big future!