Okay, so it turns out that I am inspired by people who attempt things and let me know why they are attempting it.
I said previously that I am inspired by first attempts. And I am.
However, I was speaking with someone last week who made a first attempt in their twenties, succeeded at it, then failed shortly after and stopped. Now, twenty years after that fail, we were talking through how he might give it another go. And it was totally freaking him out. We laughed about how scared he was, especially because he had actually done it before. But now he is a different person. And now he has the failure in his head. And now he knows why he gave up.
And, I find myself so inspired by his journey towards giving it a second go. Maybe even more than if it was a first attempt!
A first attempt still inspires me. It is genuinely difficult to try something for the first time. And it inspires me when someone gives something a second go–even more so if they failed last time.
Project Nexus values this very dearly. We often say, “Your next time doesn't have to be like your last time.” We believe it.
So, I want to add to my previous statement. There is something so challenging and inspiring about a friend attempting something. It doesn’t matter which attempt it is. The attempt is inspiring. It is also very infectious, because when you see someone make an attempt, it is really hard not to join in and try something as well!
So, when you attempt something challenging and new, be public about what you are doing and why you want to do it. Let others know why you are compelled to do it. If you do, you get to join the beautiful wonder of community as we get to cheer you on as you make a new attempt! Yes, it is vulnerable. Yes, someone may laugh and ridicule you. But if we don’t know, how can we support you? Give us the chance to mourn with you if it fails. Let us give you courage to go again. Maybe we can help you find a way to succeed. And, let us celebrate with you when you make it.
Never underestimate your ability to inspire others around you. You don’t need to succeed to inspire. It can be done on your first attempt and your second and your eighty-second. All of them can be more inspirational and more powerful than you possibly think.
