On a recent trip to a Phoenix water park I spent some time watching my 8 year old daughter gleefully jumping over the small swells near the edge of the wave pool.

She was having so much fun, but I was struck by how many of us do something similar in our work and relationships. We stay at the edges, safe from any real danger, and we derive a great deal of joy from succeeding at things that aren’t all that challenging.

There is deeper water out there. There are greater challenges waiting for you.

Your work and your relationships will be defined by whether you choose to stay in the shallow end or venture out a little deeper.