What, exactly, is your big idea? I'm listening. Do tell. Oh, but first, read the story below.

Many years ago when I was first starting out with a big idea of my own, I was approached by a friend to become part of a CEO group he was starting. I'd heard about such groups - gatherings once a month with 10-12 Chief Executive Officers or the equivalent executive, to share ideas and help smooth the bumps and stumbling blocks of starting a new business. 

I never thought I'd be part of such a group. I wasn't a CEO. I was and still am an entrepreneur. I was happy with the peer learning. I had at two active networking groups I belonged to.

Becoming part of something that brought talented, creative, smart people together in smaller groups terrified me! After all, I was a little fish in a big pond. I was pretty sure the executive in the group would swallow me whole, without a thought.

Little Fish, Big Pond, Scary Thought!

My friend, who saw more in me than I saw in myself, said, "Why are you hesitating?"

I shrugged. "I'm not sure it's for me, " I said. I couldn't look him in the eye, lest he see my fear.

"What if it is?" he said.

"I can't afford it," I said, falling back on the tried and true answer to any given opportunity. Not having funds is always a good excuse, isn't it?

"What if you could?" he said.

"I'm just starting out," I said, with a sigh. "I don't think I have much to offer."

"What if you did?" he smiled.

And so on. To every objection I made he gave a question I couldn't answer.

The questions led me to understand that I was not giving myself credit. I soon understood that the group was a valuable opportunity and I wouldn't know how well I would do in it, until I tried.