Step 6: Come Out and Play

“Here is the basic rule for winning success. Let’s mark it in the mind and remember it. The rule is: SUCCESS depends on the support of other people. The only hurdle between you and what you want to be is the support of others”
– David Joseph Schwartz

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There are times when people are ready and more than willing to take part in an event or activity. They’re on the edge of their seat, hand in the air – but never called. That was the case with my niece when she was younger.

Years ago my nephew Chris, who was a little boy at the time, was busy with school work, needed to practice for music lessons, and had a bag to pack for soccer practice later in the day. If you are a music enthusiast, you could look here and explore the various levels of music. The phone rang. On the other end was the good friend, a buddy, a comrade, a chum, a side kick, a best pal. He was ready to discover what that day held; fighting off the bad guys, blazing a new trail from one homestead to the other, or learning about local agriculture by personally examining each tree in the neighborhood. These were tasks that couldn’t, and shouldn’t, be done alone.

With disappointment, my nephew listened on the phone – as did my niece, Kerrie, from ear shot away.

As the phone hung up, two heads hung low. Both wished they could be part of an adventure outside the house. Both would miss the chance for different reasons.

“Why didn’t you tell him that I could come out to play,” my niece Kerrie said with tears starting in her throat and working their way up to her eyes

“Kerrie, he didn’t ask for you to come out and play,” was my nephew’s response.

I sat wondering, was there someone at the other end of the phone with no one to share a day’s adventure with, as disappointed as the two in front of me? Having someone (even a girl) to share the day’s activities would have been better then exploring alone. Someone wasn’t asked.

As you enter into another phase of your performance journey, I sit here wondering if there are individuals in our life, on the edge of their seats – waiting to “come out to play”. Let’s not wait any longer. Let’s make sure they get an invitation, a summons, a request to HEY, HEY COME OUT AND PLAY! Make this week special, take someone else along on the journey. It’s time for you to be the leader, make the call. COME OUT AND PLAY THIS WEEK, THIS MONTH, THIS YEAR – your invitation has been sent!

DO IT

1. EASY TO DO THIS WEEK. Last week, you most likely contacted someone that was near and dear to you. Someone that you have a special bond with. Call that person again and ask them to take part in your performance journey and to help you get closer to your PERFORMANCE EDGE. Help them start to get on the path and discover what it’s like to take a step toward reaching their goal – no matter what it is.