If it Scares You, Do It
When I left my former workplace without a job and decided to carve my own journey, it was quite scary. I wasn’t sure of many things but I knew I had to leave because the situation had pushed it to that level. Hence I knew I had no time to be pussyfooting. I had anyway wanted to do something of my own for years. Yet I never got down to it – till last year. Till I realized working with serpents out to get you is far worse than risking my own chance at a business. And so I left and I know it was the right decision. The more you fear something, it is almost like you know it has to be done. And in most cases, it is where there is nothing to lose but everything to gain. Yet the fear of failing, of what other people will think and the general fear of the unknown, colours the impetus to just take a leap.
Talking to a psychologist friend about these, she said, you have nothing to lose, just do it. And this made a lot of sense. Some things in life, need to be done and we know it, but we are too busy in the comfort zone, finding excuses, looking for perfect times and opportunities. Sometimes, the greatest opportunity lies in the unknown. And once you take that leap, you know it is the right thing and you understand why you had to do it.
The changeover or in between phase can be very messy. I have sat many a time plagued with a lack of focus, wondering if things will work out and if what I want is too much. Yet I have now learned to trust the process and let life flow. In a world where we are so overstimulated by screens, so used to instant gratification and being in control (or so we think), letting life flow and take its most natural course can be frustrating. I have questioned many things I am certain of and yet I know patience is something that will yield far greater results than trying to jump start things that need time.
So, the next time you want to do something, ask yourself what you have to lose. And if it is things like job security – understand that the world today has no job security. A friend who works for a well known global bank was telling me about their restructuring and how people are being hired and fired like some video game. It is a plague of modern times – a hot shot CEO promises cost cuts and massive profit which will give the company short term gain and long term suicide. Then to undo that CEO’s nonsense, they bring in another genius in a couple of years. Today job security is a myth that is being proven time and time again. If it is worrying about what other’s think – please stop, throw that in a bin and just carry on as you are. The world will always have something to say. Make sure they end up talking about you and what you wanted to do. Because whatever you do, they will talk.
Taking the path less trodden does not make it any less worthwhile. Often, these lead to far greater vistas than the known slog in the known bog. And whatever the outcome, you know you are the master of your fate. And that is far more satisfying than waiting like a puppy dog for a crumb from the master’s table. Believe in yourself because it is worth it. I am no one’s bitch and it’s been enlightening to know it and make sure I own it. Non ducor, duco.
