Tapping Potential Starts With Letting Go
My husband is a rock star!
…Literally.
He came to this title mid-life when he decided to buy a drum kit and make some noise in the basement. As his skills grew, his desire to be on a stage did too.
From a fledgling “Rock Camp for Dad’s” band to “Old Voltage,” the midwest’s premier AC/DC tribute band, that played at RockFest to 35,000 attendees!
And for over a decade, I lived vicariously through his experience, taking on roles of roadie, drum tech, and band manager.
One night, someone suggested that I brush up on my 6th grade piano skills and join their group on the keys. I immediately declined. I was too busy with work…
Flash forward, it’s 2020 and “too busy” lives were abruptly paused. Lockdown forced the question,“What will I do with all this time at home?”
At this point, my husband had started drumming with a different band. One that wanted a keyboard player!
Could the rock star dream be mine too?
I had a mile-long to-do list: buy a keyboard, practice scales, learn to play by ear, and practice, practice, practice. Whew! It was overwhelming.
But the first time we practiced as a band without the backing tracks, it felt like FLYING!! I hadn’t had a feeling like that in a long time.
When the world opened up again months later, I emerged with a new identity and a new dimension to my life.
I was a member of the band.
Why am I telling you about my climb to the stage?
So this isn’t a business story, but there are a few major lessons you can take away to tap the potential in yourself and your team:
Healthy leaders are multidimensional. They invest time in experiences that feed their genius, challenge them and give them energy and joy!
For years I felt like there wasn’t enough time. I didn’t have innate musical talent and thought no one would have the patience to mentor a novice like me.
You know, the same old mental chatter that keeps us back from anything in life…
Never did I think I would be taking to the stage in my 50’s, but it’s brought me more joy than I ever would have expected.
No one achieves success on their own. You won’t always know who your helpers are going to be, but realize that it WILL take the help of others to encourage you and help you grow.
Time spent outside your business still pays off. For years I avoided getting involved in the band, saying I “didn’t have time.” But once I found the courage to start, the upside crushed any negative excuses.
Since first taking the plunge into the unknown, I’ve experienced unanticipated growth and satisfaction.
The discipline of practice, the deepening of relationships and the discovery of new skills has brought joy, energy, and fulfillment that spills over into my work.
Takeaways
- Tapping potential is a choice that requires time and courage.
- Choosing a passion related to your strengths will help you excel quickly.
- Time invested tapping potential in new activities will produce positive effects that spill over into your business.
Rock on,
Laurie🤘
