Here at Lead Change Group, we know that problems are most effectively solved when individuals come together to meld ideas, energies, and approaches.

To use a golf analogy, not every shot is a long drive. Many times, golfers have to take a chip shot to move the ball along for a short distance, with incisive accuracy.

If you are new to the Chip Shots green, welcome. In our Chip Shots feature, our Leading Voices are invited to provide brief insights into a leadership-related topic.

To learn more, spend some time browsing the entire <a href="http://leadchangegroup.com/topics/chip-shots/" target="_blank">Chip Shots</a> Series.
<h3>Today’s Question</h3>
To align with the Lead Change Group suggested <a href="http://leadchangegroup.com/our-june-theme-unexplored-territory/" target="_blank">theme</a> for June:

<em>What advice would you give someone who is hesitant to explore "foreign territory?" (It could be work-related, personal, or a combination.)</em>

<a href="http://leadchangegroup.com/leading-voices/david-dye/">David Dye</a> says:

Do you ever wish you could go back in time and give your younger self courage? Well - you can!

When you’re reluctant to explore new territory, it’s often because you’re scared - of looking foolish, of feeling inadequate, or of success and anxiety that everyone will always expect that from you in the future. One way to overcome these fears is to imagine your ideal self thirty years from now. As you look back on your life from thirty years ahead, are you glad you took that risk? What did it do for you? How did you respond when things didn’t go the way you planned?

This "conversation" with yourself often puts the current challenge in perspective and gives you the courage for that next st
<div></div>
<a href="http://leadchangegroup.com/leading-voices/jon-mertz/">Jon Mertz </a>shares:

My simple advice would be to just "go!" If the new territory doesn't contain life-threatening or compromising concerns, then go to experience new thoughts and interactions. Many times, new places are where long-lasting soul sparks happen. Be open. Discover.

<a href="http://leadchangegroup.com/leading-voices/mike-henry/" target="_blank">Mike Henry, Sr.</a>, states:

The cost of any choice is what you give up. Which choice will you most regret not making? For me, fear disguises itself as a desire for comfort, the absence of risk, or living my life on auto-pilot. I don't often say no, I say wait.  Waiting is my trigger. I have learned that the desire to wait is my version of fear.  If we value living our lives well, will the comfortable, easy things be the things we appreciate most? Look back at your last 7 days.  How much of your time spent do you most appreciate? For me, I appreciate the time I did the right, hard, or one-time thing.  Everything else just feels like reruns.

<a href="http://leadchangegroup.com/leading-voices/will-lukang/" target="_blank">Will Lukang</a> contributes:

If you never tried you'll never know how it's like to explore and learn. What's it like to achieve something you otherwise thought you're not capable of. Do you want to play what ifs? Or, do you rather find out what you're capable of. Seize the moment and make it happen. Live a life with no regrets.

Thank you David, Jon, Mike and Will, for taking a shot at this question!