Taking a Leap

I’ve re-written this multiple times, walked away and come back, decided not to post it, laughed at the irony, and come right back to it so here goes nothing.

I get some of my best ideas when I’m running. The kind of "aha" moments that almost stop you in your tracks. I'll get all excited about the idea while I'm running, but my internal critic usually takes over by the time I get home and persuades me to not take action..

Not worth the risk....what if it doesn't work out?

Well, that’s not happening today. The universe/God/fate has sent me enough signals, enough times that I’m not willing to ignore it anymore.

Based on the recommendation of Jess Terry, someone that I greatly respect, I read a book called Hidden Brilliance by Katie Rasoul and it’s been gnawing at me. The first 15-20 pages of this book hit me like a punch to the gut, and I haven’t been able to shake it. It's an unsettling and amazing feeling when someone puts words to your what you're feeling.

In the book, Katie shares her journey as a high-achieving introvert learning to become "the real her." The more I read (and the more bells that went off), I decided that this wouldn't be a book that I just read and put back on the shelf. It's time to take action.

One of Katie’s encouragements is to “experiment in bold moves,” so here I go with mini-bold move #1. This is a public challenge to myself. 

• A challenge to stop playing small and playing it safe. 
• A challenge to not fear the future
• A challenge to push the boundaries of my comfort zone
• A challenge to not worry about pleasing everyone
• A challenge to share my voice when moved to

Time for bigger risks and bigger rewards. Time to be okay with the fact that not every chance is going to work out, and that's okay.

Another key piece of advice from Katie’s book is to surround yourself with people that inspire you and make you want to rise to their level. I’ve done a pretty good job of that in my life, but I've been horrible at expressing my gratitude. Each of these people has given me an incredible gift, and the thank you card is long overdue.

Which leads me to mini-bold move #2, over my next few posts I will thank/embarrass a few of those key folks that make me strive to be a better version of myself (and push me to get there). A little heads up for you Jess, Matt Wagner and Lauren Bailey…you’re on that list ??

Oh, and if you haven’t already figured it out I would strongly recommend that you pick up your own copy of Hidden Brilliance and check it out. Side note, I need to replace the copy that you let me borrow Jess, it's highlighted all to hell at this point.

To borrow the final line from the introduction to Hidden Brilliance - "Here is the real me, and I can't wait to meet the real you."

-John