You're on the brink of launching a revolutionary project.
Starting a new business maybe.
Your palms are sweaty, heart racing.
The Fear.
The instinct? Seek validation.
"Will this work?" you ask, desperate for a nod, the heads-up, anything to quell the chaos in your mind.
But that reassurance you're chasing?
It's a mirage.
A temporary fix that leaves you thirstier than before.
Why? Because reassurance is the empty calories of the entrepreneurial world.
It satisfies momentarily but leaves you craving more.
Each hit of validation reinforces a dangerous idea: that uncertainty is the enemy.
It's not.
Uncertainty is the breeding ground of innovation.
It's where breakthroughs emerge, and empires are built.
Every time you reach for reassurance, you're stepping away from this fertile ground.
You're opting for the shallow end instead of diving into the deep waters of possibility.
I know this struggle intimately.
After the 2 years after lockdown, I found myself drowning in doubt.
Was growing Doing it Differently! a good use of my time?
Did people truly want access to my 40 years of experience?
Is becoming a CreActivist the right play?
Is leaning hard into new technologies a smart move?
I felt surrounded by an overwhelming need for reassurance.
I craved validation that I was making the right choices.
This constant search for certainty became exhausting.
It was then I realised: this need for reassurance was holding me back.
And I bet I'm not alone in this struggle.
Consider this: Would you truly want to embark on a journey where every twist and turn was predetermined?
Where's the excitement in that?
The magic of creation lies in the unknown.
It's in those electrifying moments when you realise, "This might actually work."
It's in the pivot, the unexpected discovery, the late-night epiphany that shifts everything.
But when we're hooked on reassurance, we deprive ourselves of these moments.
We start playing it safe, sticking to the well-trodden path instead of forging new routes.
We become so fixated on avoiding failure that we forget how to genuinely succeed.
Here's the stark reality: The projects that reshape industries? They're the ones that come without guarantees.
They're the ones that make your stomach churn and your mind race.
They're the ones that force you to trust your instincts, not someone else's opinion.
So, the next time you feel that itch for reassurance, pause.
Take a deep breath.
And ask yourself a different question: "What can I learn from this?"
Shift your focus from the outcome to the process.
That's where real growth occurs.
Remember, every project - whether it soars or crashes - is a stepping stone.
It's not about perfection on the first try.
It's about having the courage to attempt, the resilience to fail, and the wisdom to learn.
Stop fixating on reassurance.
Start embracing the unknown.
That's where innovation thrives.
That's where you'll find the breakthroughs that redefine industries and outpace competitors.
Trust the process. Trust yourself.
And most importantly, recognise that the discomfort you're feeling? That's the sensation of growth.
Of pushing boundaries. Of doing something significant.
Doing it Differently!
So go ahead. Take the leap. Embrace uncertainty.
And remember - the projects that terrify you? Those are the ones worth pursuing.
I promise the results will be worth it.
John (Nick) Atkinson
The CreActivist Marketer who is Doing it Differently
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