A few weeks ago Laurie Ruettimann, Yasha Stelzner and I began our grand experiment called New Media Services. Sure, we spent a lot of time thinking about the markets we’ll serve, the needs of our future clients and how we’ll add value. But at the end there was a critical point where we just had to step to the edge, hold hands and make the leap.
And what a leap it’s been. In just a few short weeks we’ve launched Voice of HR, provided free job seeker webinars, planned the most progressive and exciting lineup of thought leaders for a global Career Summit and contracted to provide new media services to two of the largest events in the human resources industry (one of which we’ll be announcing shortly).
My point isn’t that we’re awesome rock stars and the smartest kids on the block. In fact, I’m certain we’re going to make mistakes along the way. My point is that you never know if you’ll succeed unless you try. And after all the talking and conjecture, all the grandstanding and pontification, there comes a time to start doing.
I also know something about each of you. Yes, I’m talking directly to you, that person with an ideation itch they can’t seem to scratch. The one who takes the extra long shower to work through your own big plans. The person who sketches on airplanes, brainstorms in coffee shops and sits in corporate meetings wondering how much longer you can take it. I talk to you every single week. You pitch me your ideas and we work them over, but at the end of the day you need to decide if it’s finally time to make the leap.
I have one bit of advice for you.
Do it.
16 Comments
Mark,
Congrats on your new venture! Great post. It takes a lot of courage to step out on your own, especially in the current economy. It sounds like you are making excellent progress. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post with us!
Chrissann Ruehle
Black Lab Management Consulting
Thanks Chrissann, and I love the name of your consulting firm. I grew up with black labs.
Mark,
I hear you loud and clear
No pressure Carol. Ha!
Great post Mark and congrats on taking the leap. Best of luck to you moving forward!
Thanks so much Jen!
Rutroh
@Stelzner really IS the voice of HR! (many of us, anyway)
Don’t confuse noise with content Mike, and we both know I’m a good noisemaker. See you in a few days in Orlando!
Hi Mark,
Once again, congratulations on this new and exciting adventure!
Thanks for writing another great post. It never hurts to be reminded that at some point, we need to take that next step (or leap)…otherwise, we’ll never know where our journey will lead and how much we can grow and contribute along the way. I love the way you’ve described the process of making (and acting on) that decision. Your post inspires and empowers!
Warmest wishes to you, Yasha, and Laurie,
Shahrzad
Thanks so much Shahrzad. I agree with your point of never knowing where the journey may lead, and even if the first step doesn’t pan out, it may expose you to an entire world of opportunity you never would have been privy to otherwise. Great comments.
Mark, best wishes on the “leap”. Looking forward to seeing what you are up to in Florida. See you soon.
Thanks John. It was great seeing you this week and I’ll look forward to chatting again soon!
I like how I missed this post. If I’m two days behind on my google reader, Mark, I’m doing something either very right or very wrong. Glad I’m doing it with you and yams.
After several days of crawling around on the floor of an expo hall, I wouldn’t be surprised if you rethink this whole thing.
Hi Mark,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the Zen saying. I have to admit that lately I’ve been floundering a bit. Stuck in “analysis paralysis” and wondering if I really have the wherewithal to do the things I want to do with my business and my life. Getting back to Google Reader after maybe 3 weeks or so away, and this post and a couple of others I read today really helped me.
Thanks for keeping your thoughts out there. I always learn something or have an “a-ha” moment when I catch up with your stuff.
Sean
Great to hear from you Sean and thanks for the kind words. One small suggestion is to fake it ’til you make it. In other words, give your new ideas some life and push (in your spare time) until you attain that critical point where you’ve validated your assumptions and have to choose. It’s a “dip a toe in” approach that gives you a fallback if you fail.
Either that or just jump and forget all the other crap I just said.
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