So, I’m writing from London, where I’ve been enjoying a change of pace and meeting with friends and clients. Earlier today, I stopped at the eyeglasses shop to check on my order for a new pair. The man asked me my name, which I gave him, and then he said, ‘Live Your Opus, right?’ My surprise must have registered clearly on my face because I didn’t know the man, and my book isn’t out until next year, so he followed up with, “That’s what you had engraved on the inside arm.” And then I remembered.
You see, I’m at the stage where I’ve got to start wearing my glasses more than my contact lenses. Since I’ve never had a pair of glasses I like, I decided to go all in and get custom frames.
When I selected and ordered them in the shop last month, the woman said, ‘We offer free engraving on one of the arms. Many people choose to engrave their names. Would you like to do that?’
And, without even blinking an eye, I asked, ‘Can I engrave any message I like as long as it’s short?’ When she responded with a ‘yes,’ I said, ‘Great. Please engrave ‘Live Your Opus.’ She subsequently asked me what the phrase meant, and I told her that was the name of my upcoming book. She said, ‘Wow, you’re all in on the book, then.’ To which I said, ‘Yes, I am all in.’
I was reminded of this today when I went for the glasses fitting (I can’t show them to you just yet!), and I saw ‘Live Your Opus’ engraved on the arm (like in the picture above).
I thought I’d share this with you because so many people I speak with are working hard on something in their lives–a business, job, relationship, or a new way of eating or exercising–where (and they won’t like me saying this) they are not ‘all in.’
Although they may enjoy whatever they’re engaged in or even think they are all in, they are not. Worse, deep down, they know it. They know they’re holding back.
Is this you? If so, sit up and pay attention: if you’re not all in, don’t bother.
Just. Stop. Now.
Why?
Because if you’re not all in, you’re only cheating yourself, because you’re not likely to get what you want out of whatever you’re driving forward without being all in.
Why would you expend your precious resources—time, energy, money–and not be all in?
Research shows that, in partnerships, if one partner is ‘all in’ and others are not, the partnership will fail.
Asymmetrical commitment doesn’t work.
By extension, any effort you’ve committed yourself to–especially the kind that requires hard work–will fail if you’re not all in.
Now, I know from experience that going ‘all in’ can be scary—for you and those around you. You might worry about what will happen if you do it and fail or what other people might think. Or maybe you’re flat out afraid to go ‘all in’...I get it because I’ve felt all of these things myself.
If this is you, please allow me to introduce you to the upsides: meaning and fulfillment.
You give yourself gifts when you’ve set yourself in a direction and committed to it for the long haul. You earn space and time to succeed. You give yourself the gift of focus—the gift of learning. The gift of growing into the person you might need to become to see it through. And the gift of allowing whatever you’re working on to flourish.
Something funny happens while you’re enjoying these gifts: you stop worrying about whether you will ‘succeed’ and, instead, you do the work, bit by bit, showing up for yourself (and others) each day, learning, failing, making progress, and—are you ready for this? You enjoy the journey.
The result: a deep connection to yourself and whatever you’re working on, and greater meaning and fulfillment.
So, if you’re not all in on the business you’ve launched, get all in or walk away.
If you’re not all in on a relationship you’re working on, get all in or walk away.
If you’re not all in on a job and don’t think you can be all in, find another one.
You get the idea here.
I am all in on Live Your Opus, and since I made that shift in February, everything in my orbit has also shifted to pave the way for its success and mine. I am incredibly grateful for all of what’s come as a result.
Which is why, if you’re still skeptical, think about it like this:
If you are clear about what you want and find a way to go all in, it is much easier for the universe (and friends, family, colleagues, clients, and others) to support you along your journey.
If it’s helpful, feel free to reflect on areas of your life where you may or may not be all in; try the prompts below as a starting point:
What areas of your life do you feel you’re not fully committed to right now? Why do you think that is?
What would it look like for you to go all in on one of those areas?
Can you recall when being all in led to a positive outcome? How did that commitment shape your experience?
What specific fears or doubts arise when you consider making a deeper commitment? Are these rational? How might you break through|?
If you were to take one step today to commit to a particular goal, what would that be?
Thanks for being here with me as you Live Your Opus. If these words resonate with you, feel free to share them on social media or with someone else who might need this nudge or support today.
Until next time, be well!
