Riding the Waves of Uncertainty.

“If we listened to our intellect, we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go into business, because we’d be cynical. Well, that’s nonsense. You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.” Ray Bradbury

A client of mine called the other day in tears. She had finally gotten the break she’d been asking for and panicked. She had stuck her neck out and now had to write an article for a business journal that would go to all the CEOs and top management she’d been trying to get in front of for the last few years. She was afraid she’d blow it. But what was her alternative? If she hadn’t put herself out, she’d still be putting all her energy into trying.

This reminds me of the time I was on a ledge above an icy river waiting my turn to grab the swinging rope, push off the side of the cliff, and jump. I was frozen with fear. The guy behind me, my guru for the day, said, “What would you rather do, stand there imagining the worst, or jump in and see how it really feels.” Needless to say I jumped.

Risks come in all different packages. The familiar thread in taking a risk is that it makes you feel alive. You experience an entire range of emotions from fear to elation. Risk helps you reach for your passions and helps you experience life in a way that living with status quo never will.

When you feel passionate about life, it’s contagious. Everyone benefits by just being around you. You set an example for what’s possible.

I recently saw the movie, Pursuit of Happiness. It’s based on a true story about a guy who against all odds believes in himself enough to go for what others would have deemed impossible. Regardless of how you rated the film, it was inspiring. I walked away thinking, “What am I waiting for.”

Sometimes a risk is going for what you want and other times it’s getting clear on what you’re missing or unhappy about so you can make the changes to enliven your current situation. In either case, it takes courage and commitment to move beyond your comfort zone. To do this you have to be willing to ride the waves of uncertainty – to risk the known for the gift in the unknown.

For those of you who know change is inevitable and are just waiting for the right time, you might want to ask yourself what that right time would have to look like? How would you have to feel? Before you wait too long, consider this:

•    When next year rolls around, will you still be wondering what it would be like if . . or trying to get what you want? Or, will you be celebrating?
•    What would you need to take that first step out of your comfort zone?
•    What’s really holding you back?

Self-exploration can be a catalyst for change. If you’re ruthlessly honest with yourself, you will see what’s holding you back and what’s needed to go beyond your current condition or state of mind. Whatever you do, start the process. Riding the waves of uncertainty is guaranteed to wake you up.

I’ve heard it said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting the results to be different. I’ve also heard it said that you have to be willing to do what you can’t do so you can do what you want to do.
It is the courage to follow our passion that shapes our lives and those whose lives we touch. An ancient lore tells us that when we live our lives fully, our children don’t have to live our unlived lives. You might want to ask yourself, “What kind of legacy am I leaving behind?” Think of the people you admire. Are they the people who sit around and talk about what they’re going to do? Or, are they the people you see doing what makes them feel alive? There’s no time like the present so jump, and start building your wings!

Jasmyne Boswell is a Marketing Consultant and Writing Coach. For over 27 years she has been a mid-wife to professionals in all fields, helping them successfully birth their businesses, practices, and projects. She uses her creative gift with the written word to help bring your ideas into form. Jasmyne can be reached at 808-268-5807 or by visiting www.jasmyneconsulting.com.