Take the Leap
How many of us have thought at some point, “If only X happened, existed, or appeared, then I could make the change I desire in my life”? For each of us, X can be anything: money, relationships, health, physical attributes, location, skillset, and more. However, ultimately, each of us can decide to take a step in a new direction, irrespective of the things we think we need to move forward. We can approach new ideas with childlike enthusiasm or, better yet, with fascination (love that word).
As adults, we often want to mitigate risks, conduct thorough research, and understand everything before making a move. But isn’t there also a risk in inaction masked as research? Is there ever a “right time”? Isn’t there also a risk in “spending” your time idling away?
Time is our most precious and limited resource, and the truth is we genuinely “spend” it like currency every day. I often ask myself these questions:
- “What am I consciously purchasing with my time?”
- “Am I diligently allocating my time as I would invest in my 401K?”
So, I’ll ask you, how are you allocating your time? Will it bring you the ROI you demand from your other investments, or is the fear of change keeping you idle? I believe many of us have realized during the pandemic that being “idle” doesn’t feel great, or perhaps that’s just me.
Have you left a dream, idea, or wish idling in the garage? What would it take for you to take that first step and hop on that metaphorical Harley? How would you feel knowing you were moving in a new direction?
I’m someone who, when I fall, falls hard. It’s as if I need to hit the bottom immediately so I can bounce back up as fast as possible. I’m not sure when it happened, but I was fortunate to develop a growth mindset early on to confront my fears. I recall being in high school, irrationally afraid of heights, and then, out of nowhere, I decided to take a flight from New York City to Niagara Falls and sit by the window. I often remind myself of that decision, remembering that “I have it in me,” just like each of us does. Sometimes, we need someone to help us chip away at the layers of mud that have accumulated over our glory.
There’s a great story about how a few monks decided to cover a magnificent golden statue with mud several hundred years ago to prevent the Burmese Army from stealing it during a war. Over time, the statue was forgotten and assumed to be stone. One day, a piece chipped off, revealing the truth. In a way, this story beautifully represents how the fears (or the ways we’ve learned to protect ourselves) we accumulate over time hide who we used to be. We find ourselves butting our heads against the confines of our comfort zone, only to turn back. Each year, we become less inclined to change direction, feeling that we have more “things to lose.” What if you changed the question from “what can I lose” to “what can I gain or what can I lose by not making a change?”
The value of a coach is invaluable during times of idleness. Coaching helps build a solid foundation and equips you with the tools needed to direct your life consciously, being aware of the real truths beneath what you’ve been telling yourself. It allows you to proactively construct the life you desire.
#taketheleap and start building the life you have always wanted. The view is pretty amazing after the first step.
Robert Pardi | Life Coach | www.robertpardi.com | #possibilityinaction
