Update: I just got off the phone with a friend from Northern California. He said they've been drenched in rain. I'm glad there's pleasant weather down here in San Diego. I've been spending some time outside training myself to walk again because of a recent sports injury.

I decided the fastest way for me to recover was to walk. Not with an injured hobble, but with a normal gait. It was painfully slow at first, but I've picked up some speed. A week later, it's much better. That's what happens when I've decided that waiting around gets me nowhere. That's when it's time to take the bull by the horns.

Feature Article: Taking the Bull by the Horns

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Innovative or Inappropriate?

It was a two-hour workshop on building a new keynote speech from scratch. The speaker decided after decades of speaking in the business world it was time to branch out and come up with a daring keynote that reflected his life's direction. His themes touched on being bold, living life fully and listening to your inner voice.

He told the story about his wife slipping a piece of her lingerie in his luggage when he'd travel away from home. Then he rattled the small box and slowly lifted out her thong that was connected by a single string of pearl-like beads. There was very little left for the imagination.

Later at the Q & A, he found 100% of the women didn't think that was necessary. They felt uncomfortable. A good majority of the audience agreed. My friend Barbara hated it. This show-and-tell was probably more suited for a Comedy Club crowd. Perhaps he should have been more discreet.

But on the other hand, he did a great job coming out of his corporate speaking shell. He too was taking the bull by the horns. I could tell he was engaging and expanding his creativity. What are you doing that stirs your creative juices?

Taking the Bull by the Horns

Dear Associate,

It was probably the toughest thing I have ever done. Yet it was one of the most liberating acts of personal growth and development. A confession letter hand-delivered to my mentor while he was holding a 4-day, premium-priced information marketing event for speakers.

Did I commit a crime? Well, no and yes. It was not a crime in the usual sense, but it was a crime in the unusual sense. Among other things it was a crime of sloth, apathy and procrastination. All punishable by death in the high courts of success.

I vividly remember that morning. It was day two of the event. I sat in the front seat of my car in the hotel parking lot and watched nervously as a couple of professional speakers made their way toward the main entrance.

You'd recognize them instantly because they were well-groomed, wore nice clothes and had an air of confidence about them. You could sense this event attracted some major players from the speaking profession. I almost called it off because I didn't quite fit in. It would have been easier for me to mail this letter instead. But something kept nudging me to follow through.

I got out of the car and walked through the lobby toward the event center. I peeked into the room and observed the attendees greeting each other. And there he was.

My mentor was sitting in the back table and I made a beeline toward him. I greeted him and shook his hand. He asked me if I was just now attending his event.

I replied, "No, not this time. But I have a letter that's for your eyes only."

He took the envelope, read the outside copy and stashed it in a secure place.

"Have a great time," I said, and quickly made my way out of the hotel.

The contents of the letter are private and personal. But it was basically an admission of failure and a promise to do better. And now, because I've revealed this to someone I know, trust and respect—it serves as a constant reminder to stay the course. No matter what gets in the way.

Have you been avoiding that small still voice? Are you playing it too safe? Are you concerned about what others might think? Are you unhappy with your progress?

What you can do NOW to break this cycle:

Make no excuses. If you want to reach a certain goal, start now. One step at a time. That's all it takes. We spend far too much time thinking about that goal instead of reaching for that goal. Remember to take that first step.

You silly you. That's right. Do something outrageous for a change. Kids have more guts that adults because they're not afraid of looking silly. Why should we be any different? Besides, you wouldn't want to be labeled a bore... do you?

Listen to your inner voice. It could be your conscience warning you to stomp on the brakes—trouble ahead. Or it could be your intuition urging you to take a chance at romance. Your inner voice serves you and has your best interest in mind.

Life is too short for fooling around. Take that first step and go bold. It's more fun and rewarding.

Warm regards,