I’ve had a friend that said I should dress better (at the time in my career, I was wearing khakis and t-shirts). So I started showing up wearing button ups and a sport coat with a pocket square.
I’ve had a leader that said I should be reviewing the pipeline numbers more regularly. So I started every day with it and often slacked him my read and action items…probably too often.
I’ve had an industry vet say I shouldn’t open a bar. So I did… and I made it award-winning.
If you’re willing to read on, here are two observations about going to the extreme.
The first is that it only feels extreme in that moment. Looking back, I could have done a full tailored suit, communicated to the CEO my findings in the pipeline, and, ya know, opened two award-winning bars.
The second is that going to the extreme helps more than it hurts. Have I ran into walls trying to reach the end of a spectrum? Sure. Fallen off the edge a few times, too. But in all the years of my career so far, going all in helps more than it hurts.
Think about this…
“I’m sorry I took it too far.”
vs.
“I’m sorry I did nothing.”
Sure there’s a middle ground, but no one recognizes it at first. Recall my first observation about extremes? It only feels extreme in the moment. In hindsight, the suit jacket with jeans was actually the middle ground.
Stay Positive & Go Ahead To The Extreme
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