To Make a Difference, You Have to Do Something Different

At the threshold, the adventure begins.

At the threshold, you are standing between the choice to do what you’ve always done and the choice to forge a new path.

To make a difference, you have to do something different.

What makes the threshold different—a defining moment in the hero’s journey—is that once you cross the threshold, you cannot go back. To cross the threshold is to commit yourself completely, wholly, and without limitation.

Sun Tzu, a sixth century BCE Chinese general and the author of The Art of War, said, “When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is facile ground.” Ninth century AD Chinese poet Tu Mu added, “When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home.”

Although somewhat dubious, legend says that this same strategy was used by Alexander the Great and Hernán Cortés, among others.

For a more contemporary perspective, consider what Jason Friend said in his book ReWork, “You need a commitment strategy, not an exit strategy.”

As long as you give yourself an “out,” you will not give everything you have.

At one of my children’s favorite local pools, there is a challenge course that extends between two plastic palm trees, with the goal to get from one side of the course to the other without falling into the water below.

To reach the other side, you have to traverse five floating spheres, two or three feet apart, with a cargo net stretching overhead.

Because the spheres are loosely tethered to the bottom of the pool, they are far from stable. It is impossible to maintain one foot on the first floating sphere as you place your other foot on the second. The only chance to complete the course is to abandon each sphere as you reach for the next one.

It is not intention, but action, that allows you to progress toward your goal.

How do you begin to account for the bitterness, disappointment, and frustration of those who have heard their own call to adventure but failed to act, whether it was a call to ask a stranger on a date, change careers, move to a new place, pursue a business opportunity, or stand up for a cause or issue they believe in?

The process of becoming your best, the hero’s journey, is not a two-hour seminar or even a month-long workshop. Becoming a hero is a commitment at your core, at the deepest levels of who you are. It is a commitment, not an intention, that will get you there.

Are you ready to commit to doing something different?

I’m ready to help and support you. Let’s find a time to talk about your next adventure.

Are you an alumna or alumnus of the University of Maryland? I’ve been selected as one of a handful of endorsed coaches by the University of Maryland Alumni Association's NEW pilot program, Coaches Corner, to help Terps gain access to career coaches to clarify and level up to their dream careers.

Author's note: Parts of this post originally appeared in Building up without tearing down: How to cultivate heroic leadership in you and your organization, which was released Summer 2018.