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Popular blogger Seth Godin has come up with a fascinating theory. He said the contestants on Jeopardy who win most aren’t always the smartest. They’re the ones who buzz in first. Many claim the answer comes to them in the nick of time, although they can’t say how. Seth calls this the “Press the Buzzer” theory and believes it can also help us in life.

We all hesitate to try the new. But there are people who plunge in anyway. They throw down that gauntlet and fate be damned. I call them the “buzzer pressers.”

They’ll book that exotic vacation even though they’re scared. They’ll audition for a play, even though they’ve never set foot on stage. They’ll take tango lessons even though they don’t know their right foot from their left.

Here are 3 wonderful things I believe “pressing the buzzer” does. (I’m also proud to say these three examples involve family members).

First, it lets the universe know you’re “open for business” —

My 24-year-old son Paul works in a commercial kitchen where he learns lots of skills from his talented chef boss. But Paul also has dreams. He’d love to start his own business — maybe becoming a personal chef or caterer.

So what did he do? He “pressed the buzzer.”

He thought of his own catering concept, named it, and designed his own business card before the business even existed. He decided spending $20 on Vistaprint was worth taking that first step.

He started giving the card out. Before he knew it, a friend told him about a small catering gig he had. Paul began ordering a few pieces of equipment. A fledgling business had begun.

I’m convinced when you “press the buzzer” that fate aligns with you. You’ve put out a notice to the world – I’m ready — and many times, there’s a response.

Second, it forces you to take action –

My oldest son Patrick wanted to play solo shows before he had enough songs for a 3-hour set. He knew if he waited around for that to happen, it could take months, even longer.

Instead, Patrick “pressed the buzzer.” He booked a solo show at a local club for two weeks away.

He had to expand his repertoire from one hour to three.

So Patrick got busy. He spent every night after work learning songs… and songs… and songs. By the time of the show, he had a three-hour set. He played for that bar and the crowd loved him.

Now Patrick’s a well-known local musician as a solo act (in addition to his regular band).

As I’ve discovered the hard way, the logical mind is great at making excuses and talking us out of things. But when you plunge ahead anyway, you bypass that part of the brain. The creative, intuitive side has a chance to jump in.

Third, it teaches you to be brave —

One of my favorite “buzzer pressers” was my late grandmother, Nana. In the 1950’s, she found herself a newly divorced mom with two teenage daughters. She lived in Boston, but dreamed of a better life.

One day Nana was driving around South Yarmouth, Cape Cod when she spotted a small parcel of beachfront property for sale. The rest of the beach was deserted with nothing built for miles. Nana got a funny feeling. She wasn’t quite sure what she’d do with this property, but knew she had to have it.

She “pressed the buzzer” and bought the land.

There were plenty of naysayers. Why would anyone buy a piece of deserted Cape Cod beach, many wanted to know.  (Yes, people actually thought that back then.) But Nana had committed.

Over the years, she built a small motel on that empty expanse, which over time became one of Cape Cod’s hottest locations. Huge resorts sprang up on either side. Decades later, Nana sold the property for a tidy profit.

By “pressing the buzzer,” Nana had been forced to be brave.

I always find myself inspired by these stories. People take a chance. They move forward, whether they’re ready or not. They let the universe know they’re open for business.

Reading Seth Godin, he put into words something I always suspected, but could never articulate. We can’t grow without taking that scary leap of faith. We can’t grow without sometimes “pressing that buzzer.”

Who knows? Maybe someday I’ll even try out for “Jeopardy.”

 

Are you hesitating about pressing the buzzer? What are you proud you’ve rung in on? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like, please share.  Thank you!

 

Here’s another inspiring article from Silvernest on being the best we can…

Comments(26)

  1. Yes! This resonated with me. I’m at the point where my hand jerks out and then I stop a\it and bring it back to “safety”. I need to get braver with the buzzer-I’ll keep you posted!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Jena, The fact that you want to press the buzzer is a step in the right direction. Keep going…

  2. This is great! I press the buzzer a few times, but not as much as I think I should. I’m never one to back down from a challenge, but, usually challenges within my comfort zone. I’m about to consider pressing the buzzer for a job I’ve never done before because the director of a company I worked with before said he was tasked to put together a new team at his new company and the first person he thought of was me!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Jacqui, That could be fate knocking on your door. Who knows? Maybe you’re meant to push the buzzer on this.

  3. I love this post and the Press the Buzzer concept. I think your son’s learned from the actions of their Great Grandmother. Great stories.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Jennifer, I’d like to believe the boys picked up a little of Nana’s moxie. Nice point.

  4. Very inspiring. I’ve pressed the buzzer, too, and sometimes fell flat on my face. But other times, good things have happened. Worth thinking about.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Anne, Yes, “pressing the buzzer” can go either way. I guess we have to take a calculated risk, not full-out craziness. Still, it can help get us off our duffs and commit.

  5. My dad was a “press the buzzer” guy! It’s a fab mindset to have! 😊

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Linda, I always admire the people who push the envelope of life!

  6. I’ve been writing lately about changing almost everything a little bit to create a “new normal” since my father died. This has included some decisions to seize the day and force myself to commit to a thing.

    Incredibly good timing to see this today. I’ve been thinking about starting a short story collection, and booking some off-season time on an island to write it. Pressing the buzzer will start with that.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Susan, You should definitely start that short story collection. Maybe even make those island reservations! Good luck. Hope you do it.

  7. Love this Laurie! I’m a buzzer pusher (hence the new blogging and writing lifestyle), and I believe setting intention helps make it all happen!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Emily, I’ve learned over the years to be a better buzzer pusher. Blogging definitely helps with that! It pushes us into arenas we never thought we’d go. That’s what I love about it.

  8. Oh, I love this one! I’m in a “press the buzzer” moment and have just begun to step up. Was wondering if it was foolish or wise. But it feels right! Thank you for encouraging all of us to step out! They say this is one of the reasons men edge women out at work–they think they’re qualified for everything:). We wait to be qualified–which may or may not happen!

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Kristine, So true about men’s sense of self. Most men are raised with so many role models for victory and courage. Women… there are some, but they were sometimes considered outliers, sometimes even “bad.” Press that buzzer. I’m looking for my own buzzers in life. I’m in the mood.

  9. Laurie – great post and real life examples. What an inspiration to have a grandmother like that!
    I pressed the buzzer by quitting my jib and effectively retiring from the career I took 25 years to build. Then I packed up our family into one suitcase each and we are halfway through a year away from home, travelling around the world. My husband is working remotely, my 2 teens are doing distance education and I’m creating an online business. So we are living, as if we were back home, but on the road instead.
    If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be living this life, I would have said no way! I would have been too scared.
    Cheers,
    -CW at DailyCreatives

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Christine, You not only pressed the buzzer, you lit up the whole board! What an incredible adventure. Hope you blog about your travels. They sounds fascinating. I’m sure your teens much prefer getting their education on the road, rather than sitting in a classroom. Awe-inspiring.

  10. I’m an over-thinker and still growing my self-confidence in respect to my online presence and writing, so this post really hit home with me. I know that I’ve missed a lot of opportunities, both personal and professional, because of my desire to be super prepared before “pressing the buzzer”. Seeing someone else put it into words, however, is powerfully motivating.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Tony, Glad you liked it. Yes, there’s something about having a deadline that focuses the brain, and I believe, gets the intuition revving.

  11. I love this, Laurie. I am at a point with my book and doll that I need to ‘press the buzzer’ and I’ve come up with dozens of reasons why I should not do so. I’m not ready. I don’t have a business plan. I don’t like to spend money. You’ve given me a lot to think about.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Molly, I love your doll and have downloaded your book on my Kindle. Can’t wait to read it. Looks like you’ve already ‘pressed the buzzer’ in many ways, but I guess there’s always more to do.

    • Chris

    • 6 years ago

    Love the idea! I recently pressed the buzzer and it got stuck – made this really annoying sound that wouldn’t go away until I hit it with a hammer. Wish I hadn’t pressed that buzzer. But other buzzers have worked out better.

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Chris, Sorry about your last bad buzzer experience. They’re tricky little devils. Hope other buzzers work out better.

  12. I am such a Timid Tina. But I find this inspiring. Can I change?

      • Laurie Stone

      • 6 years ago

      Diane, Why not? I’m also a Timid Tina so I get it. (Although I’d argue that starting a blog and writing everyday takes courage).

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