Values Quotes – Alan Alda on Nerve

Today’s quote is from Alan Alda, an actor best known for his role as “Hawkeye Pierce” in the popular TV series M*A*S*H.

A challenging quote from Alda is:
“When you embark for strange places, don’t leave any of yourself safely on shore. Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory.”

Why do I consider this quote challenging? Because it takes nerve to embrace the value of nerve.

As a differentiating value, Nerve means impudent aggressiveness; audacity; or boldness.

Maybe you remember a time when you faced a particular challenge and weren’t sure of how best to proceed. Then you finally decided: “Ah, what the heck, let’s just do it!” It wasn’t so much about bravery or mustering the courage to face your greatest fears. It was a case of deciding to move in a direction you’ve never gone before.

Alda refers to this as unexplored territory.

Whatever you call it, the secret to having nerve when you need it is simply making the decision to move forward. Or put in a different way, making the decision to leave the safety of your present position.

When you possess the value of nerve it’s about leaving where you are to go where you’ve never been. In other words, you’re all in.

Or as Alda states, you don’t leave any of yourself safely on shore.

So, what unexplored territory is waiting for you? And do you have the nerve to explore it?

 

Today’s value was selected from the “Confidence-Courage” category, based on the e-book Developing Your Differentiating Values.