If Not You, Then No One
by Beth Nicoletto @mrsnicoletto
A new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate. For most, the anticipation of progress, results, and endless possibilities are alluring. For others, the New Year can appear daunting, painful, even disinteresting. But whether you’re ready for it or not, the New Year is upon us and the most influential thing you can do for your future, is to make the following adage personal.
You’ve heard it said “if not you, then who?”, but that simply doesn’t cut it. It’s too open-ended and leaves room for blame shifting and reliance on “someone else will probably do it”. May I suggest we reformat it to read “If not you, then no one”? Here’s why.
There are many out there who thrive on pursuing progress, change, and opportunity. Yet, while the small percentage of opportunistic, self-motivated seekers work diligently for progress’s sake, there are many talented, unique individuals that do nothing. They sit idly by hoping to catch a break, hoping things will change, and are simply not driven to move. And to those of you, I exhort: As a human being and contributor on this planet, you have a real responsibility to steward your gifts and talents for the betterment of you, and mankind.
I don’t know who you are as you read this, but I do know one thing: you are uniquely gifted and have a purpose here on Earth, and although it may be undiscovered at this point, you have a contribution to make. You have your fingerprints to leave here on this world and there is no one else on this planet that can accomplish your purpose for you.
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If it were up to me I would make the decision for you. I would send you off into the unknown, and I would know. I would know my investment would not return void because your contribution will matter. Does matter. But it’s not up to me; it’s up to you. Your future is beckoning you like a sailor to the sea – the torrent is mighty but the adventure assures possibility, creativity, and freedom. Your idle posture proves you have convinced yourself another can take your place, but you are wrong. There is no one else who can take your place.
No one else will be able to dream like you, plan like you, accomplish like you. No one else will be able to think like you, feel like you, and do like you. You are unique, you are you, and you are able. You are able to make manifest the splendor of your dreams. And it is you that is able to spread that manifesto to your neighbor and to your world. But if you sit idly by, watching your glory fade to black, the world will never know you. Your neighbor will never know your name.
There is no one that can leave an impression like you, but in order to do so, you must move. You must move from your place of comfort and discover the safety and vulnerability in that which makes you uncomfortable. It is risky and it is thrilling. Stepping out into the boldness of opportunity will reward you in a lifetime of depth and discovery, unlimited potentials and opulent possibilities. You will be sharpened and shaped, and you will sharpen and shape others. You will change, and be changed.
Go now. Be the change you wish to see and make an impression in the world. In your world. For the doers, they cannot make your future yours, you must. And if it is not you who takes ownership of your life and your legacy, then no one will.
If not you, for the sailor’s sake, who challenges the waves and clutches the deck as the storm braves, then no one. If not you who defies the unforgiving and uncomfortable for the sake of profit and success, then no one. If not you, who embraces the tyranny of complacency and is beckoned to move, then no one.
Your future is on you, and you alone. Make it manifest.
Article originally published on Switch & Shift
Image credit: “Sailing Kiel” by Ethan Lindsey is licensed under CC BY 2.0
About the Author
Beth Nicoletto serves as the Senior Editor here at Switch and Shift and is humbled to be a part of the movement. As a life coach and mentor, she is passionate about the pursuit of living healthy and impactful lives. She is most noted for her sassy spirit and overuse of exclamation points.
Connect with Beth: Twitter | LinkedIn
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