If I could I would...

If you could do anything, what would you do? It's a great question.

When I pose it to clients, their first answers are often manageable, and immediate. Something easy they can do without thinking about it.

If I pause after they speak, and wait a few minutes letting the silence fill the space between us, I can almost hear the wheels turning on the other end of the phone.

Then something amazing happens.

They give the real answer to that question.

If I could I would...be my own boss, I would walk into the airport and buy the next ticket anywhere, I would write the book I've been thinking about for years.

After that, I'm no longer part of the conversation. It's as if once the idea hits the air there is so much behind it that has been waiting to be said, everything else tumbles out with it. The idea takes shape. More and bigger ideas come to mind. The words are stronger, said in louder and more excited tones.

And then...and then...and then!

I'm smiling from ear to ear by that point. Now we are getting somewhere.

Where are we getting? To what they were afraid to say before. To what they hadn't realized they wanted, but they really, really do.

Once it's been said, what you want can't be filed away in the same way again. I've heard it and, more important, you've heard it. Then we get to do something about.

We devise small steps to make without upending your life. Although that's possible too. Saying what you really want out loud may be all the push you need to do what felt like the unthinkable just the day before.

First, though, it needs to be said.

Take a moment to fill in the blank. Then pause to see what answer comes to the surface next.

If I could I would...what?

Please share your answers!