“What matters most in the end, though, is this: your belief in your capacity to create positive change and the courage to take action.” – Tom Kelley

Reducing the above quote to two questions:

Can you make a difference?  

I believe in the concept of having “agency.”  You develop agency by building upon existing skills and adding to them.  You develop agency by attacking harder things on a regular basis and gaining competency from the learning.  You develop agency by learning from experience which causes you to be wise.

Will you make a difference?  

If you have agency, it’s a crime to waste it.  In order to make a difference, you have to be willing to step up.  To keep your talents, skill, and wisdom hidden when it has a chance to make a difference deprives the team and the community.  There may be uncertainty. You might doubt and have a little fear.  But the willingness and courage to step over the edge will be rewarded with a meaningful life.

Strive to be able to step up. Have the courage to do so.