“What matters most in the end, though, is this: your belief in your capacity to create positive change and the courage to take action.” – Tom Kelley
Reducing the above quote to two questions:
#1: Can you make a difference?
I believe in the concept of having “agency.” You develop agency by building upon existing skills and adding to them. You develop agency by attacking harder things on a regular basis and gaining competency from the learning. You develop agency by learning from experience which causes you to be wise.
#2: Will you make a difference?
If you have agency, it’s a crime to waste it. To make a difference you must be willing to step up. To keep your talents, skill, and wisdom hidden, when it has a chance to make a difference, deprives the team and the community. There may be uncertainty. You might doubt and have a little fear. But the willingness and courage to step over the edge will be rewarded with a meaningful life.
Strive to be able to step up. Have the courage to do so.