If You Can’t Run with the Big Dogs, Stay on the Porch

“If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.”

I heard this expression a lot while growing up. I have four brothers, and they each had (and still have) their favorite two or three one-liners. Here are some of the others:

• Word is bond.
• Do what you say and say what you mean.
• Put your money where your mouth is.
• Put up or shut up.
• Talk is cheap.
• Walk the talk.
• Show me, don’t tell me.
• Don’t write a check your ass can’t cash.

These pithy expressions, no matter the context in which I heard them, reminded me that actions, not words, were what counted. Staying on the porch and playing it safe is not as exciting as venturing out to become the person you want to be. Opportunities to act are everywhere. But please note that they’ll often require reaching beyond your comfort zone. And some of those opportunities will even require … running with the big dogs.