One Step Beyond

Just before my one and only bungee jump, from the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge in Queenstown New Zealand (pictured), the guy attaching the cord to my ankles told me something that has stayed with me ever since. Namely that all you have to do is have the courage to take one single step.

Somehow that was reassuring despite the fact that there is a long drop that follows. Needless to say it was mercifully brief and good fun, and not something I’ve wanted to repeat since then.

I was reminded of that comment last week when I heard a quote from David Bowie saying something related:

“If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” David Bowie

That idea to take one step further than you feel comfortable resonated with me and seemed to with others as well when I shared it on social media. And it’s made me reflect on how I can ask one more question or do one more thing to go one step beyond where we currently are with various projects; both personal and professional.

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Lao Tzu

We see all of the time organisations waiting for one more decision or bit of data after which they will do something. But in a complex and ever changing world, this is a recipe for analysis paralysis and inaction. Doing is the best form of thinking, and innovation is a contact sport. So take a step forward and listen and learn to what happens next.