#davesdailychallenge (128): The Proximity to Greatness. Never in the history of the world has it been easier to be closer to the people that you deem great. For those that are willing to put in the effort, and often times it is less than you think, there are few people you can’t connect with or, at the very least, learn from. One of the first questions I ask when coaching people, especially younger people but it applies to everyone, revolves around who influences them. Who do you trust and why? Who do you follow and why? Who do you believe to be great and why? Interacting and connecting with these “great people” is not impossible and it is a special experience to hear from, or even meet, those you emulate. Here’s the best part…education is changing. The proximity to these influencers and the subsequent learning that will take place can propel you forward. Let’s take this esoteric topic and make it more concrete. Over five years ago when I was concluding my service in the Marines I was looking for a defined purpose in my next career. While there is always an element of the unknown in large transitions I wanted to maintain a level of focus on my chosen career field. I asked around to a few people that I trusted who in the world of organizational, talent, and cultural development I should follow on Twitter or learn from through books, podcasts, etc…One of those names was a relatively influential name in the field of corporate team building and, in particular, executive coaching. After listening, learning, and following for a period of time I asked him over Twitter what the top three concerns facing executive leaders were today. The funny thing was that the only reason I asked him this question was because of an exercise “assigned” by another mentor to reach out to one person that I thought was completely out of reach with a candid and well constructed question about something we both cared about. As crazy as I thought it was I received a response and I have made my education in the three things he answered with a priority. I could have waited to come across these lessons organically or I could stop asking permission and just make the pursuit of this knowledge part of my daily life. I’m sure thankful I chose to take that risk. In the end, I’ve realized that there really isn’t much risk at all. If they don’t want to answer then they won’t. That doesn’t mean they’re a bad person and it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t continue to pursue the proximity to greatness. Maybe one day people will do the same to you.