Ep 1. Take The Leap
More than likely, whether you’re thriving or feeling stagnant, there are areas of your life where you feel like taking a leap of some kind is necessary. By “leap” - we mean taking the action to step forward into growth whether that growth is personal or professional. The feeling of living below your potential is natural and allows you begin to make that shift into greatness, however, fear typically creeps in and can make you hesitant. There are so many people afraid to take the leap into new ventures and create excuses allowing themselves to be comfortable in in-action.
One excuse is that maybe you are waiting for the perfect time to start. If so, understand that the perfect time to start is the moment where you realize that there is no perfect time to start. Another excuse is wrapped in comparison, where you feel that there’s no use in starting because there are other people much further along than you. Recognize that everyone begins an amateur and there is enough space for your talents and unique voice despite who else is already producing content. The last deterrent, we’ll share is procrastination that is cloaked in research and planning. Don’t allow the time you’ve spent learning, planning. and consuming content give you the perception of starting. While research is helpful - it can easily grow into the very thing stopping your action to start. You will never feel 100% prepared or confident - you have to take that leap anyways!
Don’t allow the ambiguity of the 5th step stop you from taking the first. The worst place for an idea to live is in your head. It’s time to turn your dreams into goals and take action and below are a few steps to help you achieve that goal:
1. Consider The Alternative
In Jayz’s song, “Can I Live” from his debut Album and undeniable classic, Reasonable Doubt, he shares that while he was physically trapped in a negative environment, his mind was always set on greater things. He mentions that he would rather die enormous than live dormant when speaking about risking his life to live what he considered The American Dream. Maybe you don’t come from the same harsh realities but the point remains the same. Consider the alternative to starting your new venture and if that alternative is living average then why not do what you can do to get more and set yourself up for something better.
2. Recognize that Success is a Process
On Wale’s song Legendary from his Album titled, Ambition, he spoke about the importance of recognizing that success is a part of the process. There are so many people looking to reach success quickly and failing to enjoy the process. Growth does not come from the achievement but from the road to it. Stop focusing on the the end goal and enjoy the position you are in and all it offers.
3. Don’t Give Up
Big Krit’s single Boobie Miles from his album 4eva N a Day spoke about valuing of persistence. While Wale’s song shared that success is a process, Big Krit’s song discusses how failure is a natural part of that process. It’s impossible to reach your goals without some setbacks. Having the patience and diligence to see your ideas through builds growth and character. Alternatively, if you’ve reached a goal and did fail at any point - chances are your goals weren’t big enough.
It’s time to put the excuses away and take the leap and take control of your future. Success isn’t going to knock on the door - you have to be willing to go after it. I know you’ve heard that famous quote that success is when preparation meets opportunity but I’m here to tell you that opportunity is all around you. It’s just preparation and action - you know the opportunity now go and do it. Recognize that the alternative is mediocrity, that you can’t give up because failure is not an option.