Morgan J. McArthur, DVM for The Veterinarian

20 April 1999

There was a time in my life when I was afraid to swim.

My Uncle Andy had a bach at a small lake near where I grew up and it was a great place for us kids to go on hot summer days. He had a small dock and there was a raft anchored about 20 metres off shore. The water was well over our heads just off the dock and it got dark, deep, and daunting out at the raft.

The other kids had a great time swimming out to and diving and splashing from the raft.

Not me.

I stayed on the dock and just dangled my feet in the water. They called to me between squeals of delight. They told me it was safe (seeeee?! splatushhhhh!) and wanted me to come play with them.

No way. Even trussed up in an orange life vest I couldn’t muster the courage to swim out and share in their fun.

I didn’t know what I was missing.

We often don’t until we get into the deep end.

I’ve been swimming with the executive committee of a national organisation for nearly a year. Mine has been a pretty shallow role. I didn’t want to go to a position of deep commitment because… I was busy, you know. Well, even a modest contribution to the organisation has given me a big boost. I have learned heaps more than I would have by being just another passive member.

I recently heard a speaker say that “If you’re as good as you were a year ago, you’re worse.”

It’s true. If we want growth, stimulation and prosperity we need to challenge ourselves in ways that make us uncomfortable.

So, it’s time I swam out to the raft. Out where it’s deep. I’ve just assumed the presidency of the New Zealand Chapter of the National Speakers Association, an international organisation for professional speakers.

You can bet I’ll flounder and splash as I learn to swim. At the same time I’ll be improving myself and benefiting a community by leading.

I encourage you to take on a leadership role in your community. You, them, and your profession will all benefit from your contribution. From personal experience I can tell you that the wetter you get, the better you get.

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