One of the struggles many new companies have is the transition from a scrappy startup to an established and respected company. This has been notable in the news as Uber has now made repeated attempts to change and establish itself. For companies, this means the transition from impromptu meetings, a general lack of structure, and a pace of work that, while doable for a year or two, is not sustainable for decades. Many people have great ideas in their garage; very few people are able to take their great ideas and organize a sustainable company around those ideas.
Although different than companies, in some ways our lives are very similar. Many people begin with creative ideas and high hopes for changing the world around them. However the transition from idea to instrumentation is the burial ground for many commendable pursuits. The transition from spectator to player is key. Whatever pursuit you are thinking of, whether that be a sport, a hobby, a new invention, a business idea, the beginning of a political career, or any number of things, the first step onto the field is key. Often the thing holding us back from becoming a player is complacency and a fear of a new experience. Often the first step does not have a high opportunity cost. Instead the cost is a bit of comfort to establish a new identity. Growth is embracing the discomfort, digging in for the long haul, and deciding that whatever we are pursuing is ultimately of greater value and worth than the comfort we are leaving behind.
JR.Stanley 