Cross the Line™
Posted in Advice, Love Your People | 30 Comments
cross: (verb) 1. to move from one side to another 2. to pass over mediocrity
With everything, there’s a line.
On one side of the line is a greater chance to make good things happen (better results, better relationships, more responsibility). This is where you’ll find all those people you admire.
On the other side, there’s less of a chance.
And with each line, there’s a choice. You want to cross the line or you don’t. You want the better chance at making good things happen (meaningful things) or you settle with the lesser chance.
Your choice.
It seems simple but…
Then there’ll be those times – those times when in the short run it’ll seem like you can’t cross the line (no matter what you do). But then, those misses (those hurdles) in the short run will sometimes help you over the line in the long run (in a way you couldn’t have seen). They’ll serve as lessons, giving you more depth to your experience – making you stronger and better prepared for bigger and more important challenges you’ll face in the future.
But you won’t know that at the time.
At the time, you’ll just see that line.
And it might seem like a wall.
But it really is just a line (a line you want to cross).
And it’s yours to cross, but you have to decide (make that choice).
It seems simple but…
Then there’ll be those people – those people who’ve decided they’d rather not cross the line and would prefer you didn’t either (and unfortunately, sometimes those people might be your friends). Maybe they’ll sprinkle in a little doubt or withhold a little encouragement at just the right time (or even encourage you to do the wrong thing). Maybe they’ll be a little less subtle about it and just step directly in your way.
And then, every once in a while, there’ll be you – that inner voice that’ll try to tell you you’re not that special and that making something exceptional happen is for other people. (What are you thinking?)
Then there’ll be the work – the work that’ll be the real challenge that some people never face because of those times, those people, or that inner voice that keep us from putting in the effort and bouncing back when things get tough.
But there’s the line.
And it needs to be crossed.
And you can cross it.
It’s up to you.
(Which side will you choose?)
“The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer.”
Fridtjof Nansen
Norwegian explorer
The essay above and how to Cross The Line (Commit, Work Hard, Focus, Bounce Back) are available in the cool little booklet here. It also includes a coaching section of questions to help you Cross The Line more effectively (and some notes pages for your thoughts).
To learn more about how to use the Cross The Line message to support your company projects, goals, or upcoming meeting, visit this page.
Personal notes on Cross the Line
Watch & listen to the Sam’s Cross the Line™ presentation (4 minutes).
Connect with Sam (guy behind this stuff)…
Facebook | LinkedIn | Google+ | Twitter
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Copyright © 2010 by Give More Media Inc. This was written by Sam Parker. If you’d like to tell people about it somewhere (e.g., blog, newsletter, Facebook, social media), please reference Sam Parker of GiveMore.com as the author and link directly to the article. Excerpts are great but please don’t publish the article in its entirety without advanced written permission (email Sam using the address at the bottom of this page).
Cross the Line™ is a trademark of Give More Media Inc.
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Its wonderful thanks for the qoutes
Really liked this, breath of fresh air
Sam,
I am a head coach and would love to use this for my team “theme” this year!!! WIll that be possible? What will I need to do in order to lets say put this on our website, T-shirts, etc?
love, love, love this! as always the right words come to me at the right time! and more then once they have been your words. your straightforward, no nonsense approach is a breath of fresh air! Thank you.
Just out of the “Blue”, did I see this today!
Just when I needed it.
Just the real life, booster we could all use.
Just Love it!
Hey Sam,
Every two to three weeks I send out a positive message to roughly 300 family and friends. I always credit the author, and I can include a link if you wish. Can I send out you message above? the website says to ask for your permission.
LET ME KNOW!
[...] 2011, my theme is: Cross the Line. This is not an original concept. It was inspired by an essay on givemore.com. I’ll add the link when I’m not tapping a tablet to write. So it’s no more [...]
Thanks Sam! What an inspiration that I especially needed at the end of the year. I am responsible for sales for our business and company we own and our product is sometimes very tough to sell. Just sell, 212, and now cross the line has given me so many tools to sell. I have learned how to sell just through your resources and taught myself. God Bless you All for sharing your gifts and much prosperity to you in 2011!
[...] comes down to choice. What does it take for you to make a stand for yourself, to not sell out, to cross the line to make good things happen for you even if it seems riskier? It is not a matter of fate, it is a [...]
[...] comes down to choice. What does it take for you to make a stand for yourself, to not sell out, to cross the line to make good things happen for you even if it seems riskier? It is not a matter of fate, it is a [...]
[...] comes down to choice. What does it take for you to make a stand for yourself, to not sell out, to cross the line to make good things happen for you even if it seems riskier? It is not a matter of fate, it is a [...]
Thanks for the great feedback, Everyone!
Sam, I love this article. You know the heading does not in any way match the great insight I got reading it. Thanks.
Thanks a MILLION Mr. Sam Parker for sharing these very inspiring, impacting thoughts that can be life-changing if applied seriously to once life. You are more than a genius! You’re simply amazing.. touching lives for the better.
I enjoyed this presentation. It was very simple, straight to the point, and the examples of those who did cross the line was very visual. Instead of a wall, there was a line which I think is better than something that was ominous or bold. Simple can be just as bold. I think that life is scary and full of mysteries. Often times people are afraid to venture outside of their comofrt zones. This portrayal, to me, isn’t scary, it’s curious and adventurous. I think this should be used with people of all ages, especially juniors and seniors in high school because they are preparing for their next path in life. They may be getting ready to ‘cross the line.’ Thank-you for sharing.
Genius. Replacing the thought of a ‘wall’ with a ‘line’ makes all the difference. It’s all in the perspective one has and the perception will be the reality. Thank you.
Thank you Sam,
Everybody gets to the line and wonders ‘should I cross’ those who do decide have no regrets and those who don’t are faced always with ‘should I have crossed’.
It is never easy, nor is living our life’s journey in any way.
I am always pleased I made my decision to take the directions I take.
Sam,
your message was timely today. We all think we’re making that decision to “cross the line” – when in reality we’re not. Today’s challenges and business results depend on those of us that are leaders in our work, communities and families. If you don’t care enough to commit to “cross the line”, don’t bother showing up.
Thanks Sam, for the reminder to cross the line, commit, contribute, nurture and engage.
Thanks for the kind words, everyone.
Sam, Can I say that you simply hit the nail on the head everytime!
Well done…I look forward to speaking with you in the coming weeks.
I received this post from a colleague recently. Your thoughts sounded vaguely familiar. The more I read, the more I realized that these thoughts are in sync with the ones that have guided me throughout my adult years. Yet, within the past few years I had discarded them. These are MY thoughts-the ones that helped me get this far! I’m dusting them off, bringing them back and, most importantly, adding yours! Thank you so much! I am very grateful to have had this experience!
http://bit.ly/917MJN
Here is the speech that Steve Jobs gave to the 2005 Stanford Univeristy graduating class. Lots of wisdom from a man who has crossed many lines.
Thank you for an excellent post. I will be sending this to the line crossers I know; it’s a good re-inforcement of this behavior.
I always cross the line. Is there any other choice?
This stuff is awesome ! I share this with my fellow supervisor and team members. If only a few get it and pass it on we are all the winner. Tasked with raising morale in my department of 300 these thoughts/words are inspirational at the least. Thanks
Awesome!! Cross the Line – I’m taking the steps to open my own office. It’s crossing the line – but I know I’ll never develop and reach the potential I believe we’re capable of if I don’t do it and take my team with me!!
Mr. Sam parker, i just like the way you present your thoughts. they are really nice and i think helpful. i am sorry but not yet tried any of these as always forgot after reading in my business schedule. and will surely talk to you once.. tk cre. keep writing. Prashant Rathi
Sam, Thank you for the hand up. Some people do this naturally; its in their nature. Others work at it in varying degrees. Others would do it. Some won’t do it. We all need the encouragement. Keep it UP.
That line really represents our comfort zone. The more we push beyond our comfort zone, the more we grow and learn. The more we retreat from that line, the more our growth, influence, and learning experiences wane and wither to the point that we suffocate by self imposed constrictions.
The commentary on the “inner voice” is great. It can’t be turned off, but being aware of the internal dialogue between the ears is so important. The ego is jabbering away so often that we don’t always realize when it is imparting fear and doubt that drowns our courage to challenge that line.
Most importantly, I love the part about the learning that can take place when we don’t challenge the line but prepare us for the long run challenges that we won’t see until after the fact. It reminds me of a quote from Steve Jobs’ regarding the lessons learned from pursuing his passions, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
The ‘Line’ hit home with me today. I know some of “those people”. They do not want to “give more” everyday. They don’t want to do the work. They just want to glide by unchallenged. And that includes unchallenged by those who want to make it happen. Do not let “those people” hold you back! Do not let them discourage you or bring you down to their level. If they applied themselves to the job as much as they do to trying to knock others down…they could be stars. Be an example to them of what can be done when you give it your all.
Love it!