How to Go After Your Big Idea
So you have this idea.
And it’s a doozy.
But there’s something really important you want to do.
It may be a big change you want to make in your personal life. It may be a bucket-list goal that you’ve suddenly decided to go after. It may be an idea for a business you want to start or a non-profit you want to launch.
Whatever it is – it’s important. It matters. The timing is perfect, and you know it. Everything in you tells you that this is exactly what you are supposed to be doing at exactly this moment in your life.
In fact, now that you see it, the decision is remarkably easy.
And with that decision, there is an incredible rush of emotion. Your purpose and passion come together in a moment of clarity that takes your breath away. Suddenly, it’s as if all the questions have been answered, all the doubts have been erased. All roads, you now see, have been leading you to Now, to precisely this moment.
You take a deep breath and clap your hands, happy, energized, excited.
And then it hits.
The Fear.
The first wave washes over you like the feeling in your belly as your car rolls over a small rise in the road. It’s brief, and sharp. You take a deep breath. Try to regain your balance.
But the doubts come back with a vengeance.
Don’t worry – this, too, shall pass. :))
“Anything I’ve ever done that was worth doing,
initially scared me to death.”
-Betty Bender
Whenever you’re ready to move up in your life in some way, to take a bigger stand, play a bigger part, build a bigger dream – there’s going to be fear.
In fact, I would say that if not, your idea, your goal, probably isn’t big enough. :)
But that fear can be paralyzing sometimes.
So here’s how to keep your balance while taking those first wobbly steps in this brand new Adventure.
1. Accept your lovely, imperfect Self.
You are exactly who and where you need to be in this moment. You have come to this place and time with a set of skills and a level of understanding that is just as it should be. Extend love and acceptance to the being that you are, just as you would to anyone else who found themselves in a similar place. Know that you’ll learn what you need to learn to do what you want to do. Honor the imperfections that remind you of this opportunity to learn and grow even more.
2. Seek out wisdom.
“When the student is ready, the master will appear.” Know that the help you need is all around you, just waiting for you to ask for it. In fact, once you are open to receiving it, you’ll be amazed at the way you’ll get exactly what you need. A good friend knows exactly how to do something you really need, but you never knew it. A stranger shows up with exactly the information, skills, or experience, to show you what to do next. Help will appear in the most unlikely places.
Look for it. Accept it. Appreciate it.
3. Hold the vision.
Create in your mind a clear image of what you desire. Here. Now. Use journaling, scripting, or meditation to craft a picture of exactly what your desired outcome looks like, feels like.
Imagine it as if it were already true, and hold that vision in your awareness as much as you can.
4. Trust the process.
Know that growth is a messy and unpredictable process, and that it rarely proceeds in a straight line. Instead, it evolves in your life in a winding, curvy way – more like a spiral – as you circle back around to learn a little more, discover a little more, create a little more. There will be curve balls and distractions, dead ends and u-turns, but relax.
It’s all part of the learning.
5. Release the outcome.
Care about what you do. Care about how you do it. But let go of the any attachment you have to the specific outcome. Whatever happens, happens. You can only control how you show up in the world, how you contribute to the work… after that, it’s out of your hands. So be prepared to do your absolute best, and to be okay with how things turn out – however they turn out.
There’s peace (and power) in that.
6. Embrace the joy.
Knowing that you’ve had the Courage to go after something so very important is something to be proud of.
Knowing that you’ve done everything you can to bring this to life, is something else to be proud of.
And when it all comes together (and it will, one way or another, in whatever way it is meant to be), celebrate the success. Appreciate the lessons. Allow yourself to feel the pride of a job well done, and effort well made.
And embrace the joy!
###
If you have an Idea but aren’t sure where to start in bringing it to life, there may be a way that coaching can help. Click here and tell me if you’d like to set up a 30 minute strategy call to see if coaching would be a good fit for you. I’d love to hear from you
Photo Credit: Ebelien on Flickr