One of my besties recently asked what motivated me eight years ago to take a dramatic leap in my life. At that time, I was sitting in my own unhappiness, feeling useless and without direction. My career was going nowhere, my kids were growing up, and my husband was busy with a career that was exciting and stimulating for him. I made what appeared to be a radical decision to spend money that I didn’t have for an education that I didn’t seem to need and alter the course of my life. I was still in debt for the master’s and doctoral degrees that I had earned, so my decision to enter into a rather pricey life coaching school seemed less than prudent.
I did it anyway. I did it because the pain of staying where I was outweighed the fear of taking the leap. It seemed like the only reasonable decision. I was terrified of spending the rest of my life in a state of “I’m fine.” Leaving unlimited potential on the table of my life was unacceptable. The fear of that finally outweighed the fear of taking a big and scary risk of finding my own worth and joy. My stomach was in knots when I read my credit card number off to iPEC coaching, yet I felt more alive in that moment than I had in the previous few years.
Stop Tolerating Your Life and Start Living It
How much easier is it to tolerate being just okay? It’s not that scary at first. Then time starts to tick away and that voice in your head says, “Really? Is this all there is?” Then it’s even easier to start rationalizing why it’s okay to just be okay. “Things could be worse. Lots of people have it worse.” And then, we just stay right where we are. Something at that time just triggered the fear of staying complacent for the rest of my life so I chose another fear and I jumped. Not only do I not regret it, I’ve been jumping ever since. I’m addicted to it now, though you are unlikely to ever catch me physically jumping off of anything!
Don't let fear stop you from living up to your potential. Your happiness is worth the risk! #fear #risk #happiness #self-improvement Click To TweetSo ask yourself, “What am I tolerating? What joy and greatness am I leaving on the table because I’m so afraid to take a risk? What’s the worst thing that can happen if I actually jump?” We are all so good at rationalizing in order to avoid our greatest fears. Yet ultimately, that rationalization keeps most of us in a position of living another of our greatest fears…staying exactly where we are.
Are you more afraid of stagnation or risk? What would you tell your younger self about risk taking and why aren’t you listening now? The pain of stagnation was too great for me to live with and I’m so grateful for it. Leaping is a whole lot more fun and exciting and less scary than I ever thought it would be.
Love,
Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC