Time to Take a Big Leap Toward Success, or Not?

Time to Take a Big Leap Toward Success, or Not?

In the field of personal growth and success there's a lot of talk about how important it is to take BIG LEAPS, get out of your COMFORT ZONE and STRETCH in order to create the life and business you most want.

I agree...there is a time and place for a big leap, AND there's a time when slow and steady wins the race.

If you're committed to improving your life and/or business there will come a time and place when the BIG LEAP stares you right in the face, daring you to take it. When that happens you'll be faced with a choice; leap now, or stay put.

That's what happened to me when I decided staying in my cushy corporate job wasn't for me anymore. I could have changed careers and found employment somewhere else but what I really wanted to do was start my own business. When I mustered the courage to admit my heart's desire I found myself at a fork in the road and had a choice to make: stick with the familiar or take the road less traveled.

I chose the road less traveled; in other words, I took the big leap.

Taking the leap I did set my life on a new trajectory. It's what I needed to do at that time in my life to honor the dreams I had for my life. Taking a familiar road would have resulted in "more of the same". BUT, my heart and soul didn't want more of the same, my heart and soul wanted different.

Once I got on a different path the actions I took changed. Instead of taking big leaps, the actions that took me to my next destination of choice were more of the slow and steady variety. With one big leap behind me, my life became more about consistent, focused action, rather than the "take leap after leap and hope my wings don't burnout before I land" variety.

Consistent and focused action, even in small increments, can be very powerful. Consistent and focused action will get you places...great places.

Don't underestimate the power of small steps.

So how do you know whether to take a big leap or stick with slow and steady?

Ask yourself, "What is the next best action I can take right now (to live the life I most want / build a successful business / heal my relationships / get healthy, etc.)?"

Then listen to your gut...it will tell you.

Strategies aside, your gut will keep you on course if you let it. Your gut (intuition, internal pace-setter extraordinaire) will nudge you to take risks, take time off, take a stand, get a divorce, get married, get out, spend money, save money, nap, exercise, balance your checkbook, attend a workshop, invest in your business, reevaluate your life, etc., etc.

Here's the thing: there's a lot of pressure out there to "take the big leap", but never do so because you think you should, do so because you know it's the right time to do so for you. If your gut is telling you to wait, then wait. If your gut is telling you to change your mind, change your mind. If your gut is telling you to go for it, then go for it.

Listen to your very wise inner voice. Trust what it has to say. (By the way, listening doesn't mean you have to DO.) Wait for a clear signal and until then, hold steady. Your big leap is coming and only you'll know when it's time.

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