“If it’s supposed to happen, it will happen.”
This commonly shared piece of advice is alluring because it’s comforting. Unfortunately, it’s not true.
Things in life don’t come together out of thin air. They require action, often on the part of several different people. Opportunities and ideas go un-acted on all the time because of fear or apathy. Worse, people then justify their inaction as noble because of a false interpretation of "letting go."
Pick up the phone.
Make the ask.
Be the first to say hello.
Do the work even when you think no one is paying attention.
You’ll find a lot more happens when you don’t sit around waiting for something to happen.
Originally published February 2012