Want to Turn UNCERTAINTY into CLARITY and CONFIDENCE?

At a crossroads trying to figure out what's NEXT? Facing a big decision and not sure what to do? Here's what NOT to do. Don't wait for your ducks to be in a row to go. 

Some of us think we have to have clarity to act.

But that’s a false premise. The opposite is true.

The only way to know is to go.

The clarity and confidence we seek don't happen in inertia, they happen in iteration.

Clarity and confidence result from taking action, they're not a prerequisite for taking action.

That's why exercising your AGENCY is the answer and antidote to UNCERTAINTY.

AGENCY is taking the initiative to improve what’s happening to us, by us, around us.

Notice I didn’t say CONTROL. We can’t control what happens to us and around us.

We can IMPROVE it.

Are you thinking, “This makes sense, I’m just not sure how to do it.”

Well, here's a favorite example that shows how acting with AGENCY (even in the midst of uncertainty) can kickstart clarity and confidence and set up a ripple effect of positive results.

My son Andrew and I were getting caught up over dinner. He was telling me about his job as an executive recruiter in DC, and I asked, "Going to VA Tech this weekend for Homecoming?" 

He shrugged, "Nah, I'm exhausted. I don't have the energy to drive down there and back." 

Exhausted?! I'd never heard fit, athletic, upbeat Andrew use that word before. 

I looked closer and realized the light was out in his eyes. "Andrew, what's going on?"

"Mom, I want to quit. I'm making good money, I'm grateful for this job, it's just that wearing a suit, working in a high-rise, and making cold calls all day is not what I want to do with my life." 

 "What do you want to do?"

"I want to start a nonprofit." 

"Nonprofit?!" (A cautious voice I didn't know existed in me was wanted to pipe up with, "Health Insurance?!")  

Thankfully, a wiser voice prevailed, "Andrew, you've always been entrepreneurial. If you put your mind to it, I know you can make this work." 

Here's the thing. Had Andrew ever started a business before? No. 

Did he have experience getting funding? No.  

Had he ever managed a team? No. 

He was swimming in a sea of uncertainty. 

So what did he do? 

He GTS'd it.

He Google'd that stuff. (And yes, Millennials often substitute a different word for stuff:-)

You can learn anything online these days, in seconds, for free.

GTS'ing is one of the quickest ways to turn uncertainty into clarity and agency.

The second Andrew searched "How to Start a Nonprofit," step-by-step tutorials and videos popped up, telling him exactly what he needed to do next. 

Notice, Andrew didn't jump off a career cliff and impulsively quit his paying job. 

He gave himself three months to set aside money to support the launch of Dreams for Kids DC - a 501 C for young people with different abilities - that gave them opportunities to get off the sidelines and into the games of life.

He paid $100 a month to "rent a desk" at a co-work space and went there every night after work. His first week at Affinity Lab, a colleague walked by and asked, "Whatcha working on?"

"I'm applying for a grant, but the paperwork is a nightmare."

"We got a grant last month, glad to share our application so you don't have to recreate the wheel." 

Another desk neighbor walked by the next week, "Andrew, you look frustrated. Whatzup?"

"I'm trying to get permission to host an event at a local lake, but I can't get anyone at the Parks and Recreation department to return my calls."

"Oh, my friend Mike works there. Here's his number. Let him know I referred you." 

Which is how, two months later, twenty kids were gifted with a one-of-a-kind day at Pohick Bay where they each got up on adaptive water skis. 

I watched from shore, standing next to a woman who had tears streaming down her face.

I asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm more than okay. That's my son they're helping into the boat. He's... SMILING. It's been months since I've seen him smile." 

Dreams for Kids DC (now called So Kids SOAR and run by Glenda Fu) is still putting smiles on the faces - and in the hearts - of thousands of families in the DC area, fifteen years later. 

All because, instead of waiting for clarity, Andrew initiated with A.G.E.N.C.Y. He:

A = ALIGNED with what lit him up instead of settling for what sucked.

G = GOT GOING to kick-start clarity and confidence.

E = ENGINEERED step-by-step systems that expedited his success. 

N = NETWORKED with 1+1=11 individuals who became the wind beneath his wings.

C = COMMUNICATED the vision, not the variables. 

Y = YES to celebrating the smiles along the way.  

How about you?  

Do you want to turn your NOW into an even more rewarding NEXT? Would you like to design a meaningful, fulfilling future that lights you up?

Don't WAIT for clarity, INITIATE with A.G.E.N.C.Y.

Because... the only way to know is to go. 

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Want Sam to help you turn your NOW into an even more rewarding NEXT?