Go Ahead, Take the Leap

I learned a long time ago that emotions (the good ones) follow actions, not the other way around. You’ll never “feel” ready until you take the first step.

When you get inspired by a new idea, along with being excited, do you ever feel anxious or uncertain? The concept of pushing into the unknown can evoke a response to protect ourselves and remain comfortable with the status quo. It’s human instinct.

For me it can show up in overthinking, procrastination or actively seeking validation from others. Or simply dismissing the idea, because I’m not up for the challenge.

What I know for sure is that as soon as I make a decision to take a step forward, my mindset immediately shifts. Worrying about the unknown isn’t helpful and once you’ve started moving forward, your only option is to get ready for what’s next. You gotta commit! For me, it can be as simple as scheduling a conversation I’m dreading or as scary as hitting the send button on an important application.

The relief experienced after taking that initial step is palpable. Trust me. Try it.

It’s not as easy as it sounds. It takes fortitude and practice. As someone committed to personal growth and excellence, whether considering big or small leaps, here’s a few things I’ve learned.

Indecision is torture

Fence sitting can be debilitating. It hangs over you, sometimes for years and when you look back, you realize you could have been taking steps forward instead of standing still the whole time. Do the work, balance the pros and cons, and make a choice.

Smart risks are key

There’s no magic eight ball, and without risk, there is no reward. Taking time to consider the risks (e.g. time, money, career, security, reputation) is an important part of the process. Play out the worst case scenario and assess your tolerance level for alternative outcomes. In the event of failure, will you still be okay?

Comfort zones hinder growth

Our brains crave stability, when we face the unknown, our brain’s initial response is fear. We need to recognize that operating within an “optimal level of anxiety” (outside our comfort zone) is where the magic happens. We need to figure out how to stretch ourselves so we can achieve peak performance, increase knowledge and enable continued growth and development. (Henry & Fishbein, Lifehacker.com)

Imagine your future self

Short term thinking can sometimes be a determinant to achieving your ultimate goals. When we only take safe, easy steps, we might miss the opportunity to get there faster. Imagine a conversation with your future self, 10 years from now. Do you wish you had been braver? Did you invest your time, effort and money wisely, at the right time? This perspective could help you make bolder, more rewarding choices.

It’s your journey

At the end of the day, this is your life, your ambition, and your opportunity to grow. When you’re considering the idea of taking a leap, it needs to be for you! It’s okay to consider other points of view, but whatever you do, don’t focus on external pressures. This is about being true to yourself, it’s not a competition, it’s about striving to be your best self, and what that means to you.

“When you stand still, you reject the struggle, and you refuse to change and grow. Ultimately, you reject fulfillment, happiness, the dance for joy and everything else that is eternally good.” — Matthew Kelly

References

Henry, A. (2013, July 3). The Science of Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone (and Why You Should). Lifehacker. Retrieved January 30, 2022, from https://lifehacker.com/the-science-of-breaking-out-of-your-comfort-zone-and-w-656426705