A Brave Move To Make A Difference

The result of bravery

I consider today to be one of those turning points in my life. Sometimes you do something that you have never done before, that you were afraid to do, but you do it anyway. Then you feel empowered afterward, like your capability to do more has increased. I was able to have a one on one with our CTO (Chief Technology Officer) today. We were alloted 30 minutes, but we spoke for 1 1/2 hours. I’ll admit I was a little nervous before going in, but that soon went away as I discussed exactly what I was feeling.

I told him I wanted to talk to him to share some thoughts and ideas. He asked me ultimately what I wanted to do. I said, “I want to do all that I possibly can. If that means being a CTO, then so be it.”

I knew I was doing the right thing. We have an awesome CTO. Here is a guy that makes a salary that is many times mine. Here is a guy who has bonuses, incentives, and stock options that will allow him to live the life he chooses and then some. Yet he took an hour and a half out of his schedule to talk to me. This says a lot about him and also tells me I had at least somewhat of an effect on him.

A conversation with a CTO

I can’t share some of the details of what we talked about. They are business related and I would be violating our company’s terms of employment were I to discuss them. However, we did spend some time talking about philosophy and life in general. As we talked, he said something that really struck home to me – it gave me goose bumps. Are you ready for this? He said, “I just want to make a difference.”

Whoo. That’s powerful. It’s only been a week since I found the calling of my website, which is to make a difference. To hear him say that was one of those “Ah Ha” moments in life. That is what makes him tick. That’s why he’s out traveling and taking the responsibility he is. He told me 10 years ago he was basically in my position. He was leading a team of developers. And he said to himself, “I want to do more. I want to make a difference. I want to do all that I can.”

Wow. Can you see the splitting image resemblance to my situation now? I have to admit that after I talked to him, I felt teary eyed. Not because I feel like I am going to get some big promotion or something. But mostly because I feel like I’ve tapped into the vibration I need to for taking my life where it needs to go. I have a burning desire to make a difference. I think it is this desire that makes those who are wealthy, powerful, and influential do what they do.

A key thing that stood out to me from how he spoke was the vision and direction he approached the business. Right now the company makes X amount of dollars (it’s in the hundreds of millions). He has a detailed vision of how to double that. Can you imagine that? Setting in motion a vision and plans that allow a company to make hundreds of millions of dollars extra? Now there is real value. This is what Jim Rohn means when he says, “You get paid for bringing value to the marketplace.” This is big time value. Big time decision making.

I think as you read this you may wonder, “Well, that’s great for him. But what about you? What about me?” I think this is a great question. If you are here right now, I believe you have the desire to make a difference. What I am realizing is that this needs to be a burning desire. Not just a little bit. It’s the difference between hammering a nail with a spoon and a hammer. Do you really want to make a difference and have the life of responsibility that goes along with it?

For me, I can honestly say yes. I want to be in meetings regularly with our CTO and CEO to discuss strategic direction. I feel like I have the right mind to bring value in solving many of the problems our company faces. Whether this grants me a promotion or not remains to be seen. Our CTO did say that he will bring me into the loop as opportunities arise in the future. I’m happy with that. But actually I’m not going to wait :) I’m going to start making opportunity right now.

I took action right after the meeting too. Our CTO recommended I read a book called, “The Innovator’s Dilemma.” It’s a book about how technology affects organizations. Needless to say, right after the meeting, I went to Amazon and bought the book. You don’t have to tell me twice :)

Where do I go from here?

Well this much I know. I’m not going to just be handed a promotion and showered with gifts because I took the time to share my intentions with our CTO. That would be a bit naive of me. However, I feel like this is a push in the right direction for me. It is just the beginning. I don’t think you reach a point where you say, “Well, that’s the end of all I wanted to do, I’m going to just hibernate for the rest of my life now.” On the contrary, I believe making a difference is a lifelong thing. Something I will do for as long as I draw breath. I believe it is that philosophy that will keep me heading in the right direction.

Think about your own life. Isn’t making a difference really a matter of taking consistent action on the things you know you should do but might be afraid of? I can understand this. I was afraid of walking in to our CTO’s office. But I prepared myself. I used the techniques of state change I’ve been practicing and put myself in the right frame of mind. Then I got certain. Certain that what I was going to share with him was important. I think he saw that certainty.

Does this mean things will get easy from here on out. I don’t think so. I think they will get harder. But I sincerely think that consistently moving toward what is ‘hard’ and ‘uncomfortable’ is the best way to feel like you are making a difference. After all, if you and I just keep doing what we are doing, how fulfilled will we feel?

This certainly addresses my problem of lack of sleep and getting up late. When you have something to shoot for. When you really get committed to something, sleep no longer becomes an issue. You get up right away and aggressively tackle the day. It didn’t take long for me to solve my sleep problem. The answer for me was to simply find something compelling to live for and go after it relentlessly. After all, I’m not the only one who is going for it :)

I’ll keep you all up to date with my career situation. I’m doing all I can both in my career, personal development, and family life to make a difference. I go to bed at night and really feel like I’m doing all I can. And even so, I know I have so much more to learn and grown in. My hope is that you who are reading this will act on the stirring within you to take a leap of faith. Faith is a necessary ingredient when you begin making large scale decisions. Trust that you can do it, and then do your best. Accept whatever the results may be.

Until next time, keep making a difference.

Jeremy