Most people are content to follow in the footsteps of others – to walk a predetermined path – to get on a trail only if they know exactly where it ends and where the rough spots are. Real trail blazers are rare. They are the people who make other people nervous. In business, they are people who do extraordinary things and I love being around them.
Some people think of me as a trail-blazer and while I would agree that I’ve carved some new paths in my time, I don’t think of myself as an intentional trail blazer. I like the “trail” metaphor because I live in the mountains and do a lot of hiking. I often take the lead and could regale you with many a story of how I thought I was on the trail only to find myself halfway up a mountain without a clue where the well-traveled path is – let alone actually walking on it.
Truth is – in the throes of such a hike, emotions include everything from excited elation to doubt and fear but, at least thus far, I’ve always ended up standing on the edge with an incredible view – and I’ve always made it back down the mountain to the safety and comfort of my car. I guess the point is this – things only happen when you’re moving forward. Whether you’re on a path someone else carved or you’re taking the path unknown may not really be that important as long as you add to it and it adds to you along the way.