The Style House

'All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage. Just literally 20 seconds of embarassing bravery, and I promise you, something great will come of it.' - We Bought a Zoo

 

We Bought a Zoo is one of those movies that I wasn't too interested in seeing in the beginning. Jason practically had to talk me into watching it. Well, we watched it, and I absolutely loved it. The above quote is so true, so unmistakably true. We just need to listen to it.

 

We all have fears. We all have opportunities. Sometimes these fears keep us from seizing these opportunities.

 

I know I'm guilty of it.

 

Just last night, Jason & I went to this new sushi place. It was empty, literally just us at one table, one other customer sitting at the sushi bar, and three employees. I have this weird thing I do where I'm not trying to listen in on other people's conversations, but I just pick up on bits & pieces. I guess part of it's due to the fact that Jason & I are at the point in our relationship where we don't have to be talking 24/7, we can just be.

 

So anyways, I overhear this customer talking about his move to Chicago. He's talking about where he'll live, & saying that he will still be visiting Louisville quite often because some of his team is here. He mentioned selling his car, because he will be able to rely soley on public transit in Chicago.

 

He mentioned nothing of his house, or living situtation. But it's possible he had a home to sell in Louisville, right? So I thought, I'll slip him a card on the way out, say I overheard about his move to Chicago, & let him know I'd love to help him with any real estate needs.

 

Great idea, right?

Yeah, but I didn't do it.

I let myself walk right out the door after thanking the sushi chef (is that what you call them?) & left the opportunity on the table.

 

Why? Why didn't I say anything? It's that voice in my head saying

well, he probobly doesn't have a house to sell, maybe he was a renter...

I'm sure he already has an agent.

He likely already has a plan, he's already sold his house here, or tied up any loose ends.

 

Maybe one of those was true. Maybe he had no use for a realtor. But guess what? Now I don't know.

Say I put myself out there, introduced myself, gave him a card. Anything could have happened.

 

Maybe he needed a realtor. Maybe he didn't need a realtor, but guess what? He liked my spunk & if he ever did need a realtor in Louisville, he knew who the heck I was. Maybe one of the employees needed a realtor, & they would speak up. Maybe he would pass my card along to a friend.

 

Hell, maybe this guy was a total jerk & he would be annoyed with me for interupting him & refuse my card. I doubt it, but it could happen. Even if it did, at least I would know! Would that really be that bad? No.

 

But now, because I didn't put it out there, I missed any opportunity (now or in the future) that could have come from taking the risk.

 

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

Well, it's true.

 

Sure, this was just one opportunity. There will be many more. Normally, I'm good about seizing opportunities. But after this little experience, I'm sure as hell going to seize any opportunity that comes my way. I'm even going to create opportunities. Because this feeling of missing out, kicking yourself for not speaking up... it's no good.

 

The only one in my way is me.

The only one in your way is you.

I plan on getting out of my own way.

 

Maybe I'll start tracking my '20 seconds' & document them for you here on the blog. What do you think about that?

 

xo

Sam