You stand there… looking at the divide that stands between what you have and what you want.
The chasm is where all the things you’re afraid of lie – waiting in the quiet shadows. They don’t even notice you. They share their quiet existence only with themselves – creeping softly in the dark.
But you feel them – whispering at you to back off of the ledge, and head back to safety.
But you’re ready.
You WANT what’s on the other side.
You NEED what’s on the other side.
So you stand there. Firmly planted. And think about how you got here.
A lifetime of tiny choices – missteps – failures – triumphs.
A career of excellence and shortcomings.
A thousand encouraging words – and even more that stung to the core.
You stand here because you were meant to.
You were driven to.
You have to.
And now, here you stand, firmly planted.
Hoping the the path rises up to meet your fearful feet.
Hoping that this last test is one you can pass.
Hoping that what’s on the other side is worth it.
Hoping that you have enough faith to unearth one foot, and then the other to take that first step – eyes closed – into the dark.
The only sound you hear is the quickening thump in your chest.
Thump Thump
Thump Thump
Thump Thump
Your palms ache from being squeezed beneath you nervous fingers.
You wish, more than anything that someone would just give you a push.
The voice in your head is telling you all the reasons why this is a bad idea.
You could go back to the job you hate.
You could tell your friends and family the same thousand excuses you’ve used before when you failed in this moment.
They will love you anyway.
You could turn around right now and no one would judge you.
And that voice is right.
You could do any of those things, and it would all be ok.
But you know something that little voice in your head doesn’t.
You are ready.
This time IS different.
You’re ready to have the life you’ve always wanted.
You’re ready to risk it all.
You’re ready to be the exception, not the rule.
You have that fire inside you that tells you that no matter what, all roads lead here.
To this very spot.
Firmly planted.
Terrified.
But Brave.
Ready.
Calm.
The voice in your head quiets.
And all you hear is the sound of One. Long. Slow. Breath.
In…
and Out…..
Any you’re not hoping anymore.
Now, you know.
You know that this is it.
You know that the money will come.
You know that you are brilliant.
You know that the road will rise up to meet you.
You know that this path – is the only path, and the one you traveled to get here is gone.
And you CAN do this.
And you are not afraid anymore.
And you are certain.
And you know that It. Will. Be. Fucking. Amazing.
You know this.
Right now.
You know this.
And the earth around your feet begins to soften.
And your fingers tingle with excitement.
And your heartbeat begins to slow.
There is only one think left to do.
You open your eyes.
And you leap.
[...] The Leap. [...]
[...] from the big city), huddled in bed with pj’s and strong coffee, as I read a little Dr Seuss and The Leap (yup, I reading to my guests… poor long suffering creatures they are). Since they loved it, I [...]
yup. that about sums it up. luckily, i have always had a severe fear of heights. so severe that i cannot stand there, feet planted. i have to jump…immediately, or face heart attack. like the time i jumped off a 40 foot rock into a lake. i didn’t hesitate for a second at the top. i simply dove.
in business it has been the same way.
and boy…have i failed.
in fact, i’d have to say that i excel in failure to an amazing degree. i could tell you what NOT to do for days.
maybe i’ll write an ebook about it.
i’ll call it, “want to succeed. here’s the shit you shouldn’t do first”
haha
anyway. the moral of that story is…the chasm gets less scary, but the belief in yourself also becomes less potent the more you face it.
that part where you say “this time IS different”.
i cannot tell you how many times i have told myself that. so, at some point, you start to ask….”is it really?”
deep down…i know the answer is yes. i just don’t know how long this ish is gonna take. so…here goes nothin.
Geronimo!
Well…It’s the ol’…been there, done that. And how many times have we all turned around and retreated…running with scissors? Thump thump. Thump THUMP!!! And funny how retreating is so much of a downer, when you think it will relieve the pressure in your chest. All it does is keep you dragging along, wishing and hoping that you could make that Leap…till you finally say…Fuck it! I’m goin’ for it. No more retreating, no matter how scared I am. Rock on, illana!!!!
Oh boy, timing is everything isn’t it. The second ever print-out-and-hang-up blog post I’ve ever read. Thank you!
I’m leaping! (you’re awesome!)
HOLY CRAP! Hey Tracy! LOVE LOVE LOVE Good Day Howard! Congrats sister….you shall be AWESOME! I deem it so!
You took me there. Yes ma’am you did. So that’s what it’s like huh. <3
Yes ma’am. That’s what it’s like.
Awesome! I am getting ready for the big leap.
Oh baby…can’t wait to hear ALL about that! August is coming faaaaaassssttttt!
You knocked it out of the park again Ilana! It seems so complicated but in essence it really is very simple:
1) Pay attention to your gut & heart
2) Take the action
3) Get the result.
Or retreat into safety and mediocrity. The choice is ours. I say LEAP!
See….it sounds so simple when you say it like that, right?
Yeah. That’s why you gotta practice!