Have The Courage To “Go First”

“If you change the way you see the world, you change the world that you see.”

– Satya Nadella

I’m currently reading a book called “Tools of Titans”, by Tim Ferriss.

He is the author of “The 4-hour Workweek”, which is one of my favorite books of all time (seriously, if you haven’t read it yet, you need to).

In his new book, he has compiled the greatest tactics, routines and habits of the incredible people that he has interviewed on his podcast.

It’s a behemoth of a book, but slowly I’m getting through it.

Last Saturday I was at the coffee shop drinking (waaaaaayyyy too much) coffee, jamming to some rap music, and doing some reading (with highlighter in hand, of course).

Obviously, I posted about it on Instagram too, otherwise it’s as if it never happened…

Anyways, jokes aside, that’s when I came across this very profound concept that I just had to share with all of you!

I don’t even remember the name of the guy, but I believe he is a surfer/businessman.

Anyways, it doesn’t matter, he talked about a rule he created for himself a few years ago.

It changed his life completely.

He said that he started “going first”, in all situations.

What this means is simply being the first person to say hello in a new situation, the first one to extend his or her hand for a handshake, the first person to smile at a stranger as you pass them on the street, the first one to jump into the freezing cold water.

I think you get the idea.

I thought this was so simple, yet so incredible.

How many times do you walk past somebody on the streets and neither person says hello, smiles, or god-forbid, even makes eye contact with one another?

I’m sure we are all guilty of this.

I know I certainly am.

We are all busy.

We all have things to do.

We all have something pressing on our mind.

But, how much effort does it really take to smile at somebody?

I’ve been following this “go-first principle” all week and let me tell you, it really is amazing!

I never thought something so simple could make such a huge difference in my day.

Just smiling at everybody I see, makes ME feel good, selfishly.

But, I can’t tell you how many times the other person actually smiles back.

It’s pretty remarkable.

People are just waiting for someone else to go first.

That’s what I’ve really learned this week.

It truly takes courage to be the one to “go first”.

It takes guts.

It’s risky.

Some people won’t smile back at you.

Some people won’t respond to your “hello”.

Some people might even give you a nasty look.

But, that’s a reflection of them, not you.

For the most part, initiating new conversations, saying hello and smiling sincerely at strangers, and just simply being the person with the courage to “go first”, will benefit you and countless others.

It’s like this quote that I’ve always had in my vision statement:

Every week, I try to challenge my thinking and yours.

That’s exactly what I want to do again, this week.

I challenge you to be the person who has the confidence to “go first”.

Be the person who is somebody’s memory for the day.

Be the person with the infectious energy that everybody wants to experience themselves.

I promise you, you will benefit from this subtle change too.

Just as I have this week.

Remember, the perspective you carry with you each day, will become your reality.

If you choose to be happy, friendly, and a take-the-initiative type of person, you will be rewarded.

Until next time friends,

Matt