How Can Dealing With Uncertainty Make You Stronger?

TRY Coaching – Power of Living on the Edge

Several years ago I had the opportunity to visit friends in New Mexico, while seeing some of the most beautiful landscape this country has to offer.

These friends happen to be motorcycle enthusiasts – while I, on the other hand, had never even ridden on, let alone driven a motorcycle in my entire life.  Inspired by my surroundings and feeling particularly adventuresome on this trip, I decided to be daring and go for a spin.  Wow, what an experience!  Even though I felt tentative and a bit nervous at first, I didn’t let my fears get in the way of doing what I truly wanted to experience, and for that, I am grateful.

Zipping along the open road with wind blowing in my face and heart racing, I felt liberated, free and giddy about doing something that felt like I was “living on the edge.” Helen Keller’s quote “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” sums up my motorcycle experience and how I envisioned living my life from that day forward.

Of course that vision didn’t last long, however, as a forever learner; I have consciously made a point of trying new things on a regular basis and swimming in unchartered waters whenever possible.

As a career and business coach, clients seek me out for this very reason. They are stuck or unable to move forward in their work environment because their fears have outweighed their ability to try something different or new.  Once we identify these blocks and my clients are willing to take a leap of faith, life starts to surprise them and a sense of accomplishment sets in.

How many of us live life day to day, not ever challenging ourselves, only seeking a comfort zone that makes us feel warm and fuzzy, but doesn’t help us to make the changes we might need in order to move forward?

Imagine what your life would be like if you chose to “live on the edge” and what does living on the edge actually mean?  I think each of us has to give our own meaning to this.  For me, it meant taking the motorcycle ride even though I was fearful, or stepping up to the plate knowing that I’m walking on the edge of the precipice, realizing I could easily fall over.

In those split seconds, we get to decide how we want to live and what gifts we might benefit from by making those choices.  In today’s challenging business landscape we might glean a new confidence that we never thought we had!  Just think of how that confidence could help when interviewing for a job or starting a new venture.

My sense is that life is throwing quite a number of curve balls these days, whether personally or professionally, and everyone who can catch these curve balls are ahead of the game and will continue to reach their goals and their personal best. Go ahead, do one thing that will make you say, “I am living my life on the edge” and see what doors open for you.

If you could put your own stamp on “life is either a daring adventure or nothing” what would it look like and how would it change the way you live your life?