There is a lot to be said for trying something new, both good and bad. It’s scary and the anxiety can drive you crazy; but the rewards are life changing.
I remember five years ago when I left the security of a corporate job.It had taken 10 years of getting coffee, kissing ass and hard work to finally get that window office and V.P. title. With minor exceptions, I pretty much knew what each day would hold, which at one point, was my ultimate goal in life - comfort and stability. When I stopped to think about it, gazing out over Lake Michigan from the 22nd floor, that prospect became even scarier than not knowing what was next.
So I left. Without really knowing what I would find, I set out to discover me.
For years, when some one would say, "so tell me about yourself" I would launch into my pat and dry response, "Well, I work here, I have X, Y and Z Fortune 100 clients, I went to these schools, I grew up in…I love to vacation in…"
After leaving the corporate world, I took this opportunity to stop hiding behind that mask. The problem was, now I had no idea what to say.
I tested a few new responses out: there was the "I’m a writer" option, the "I produce short films" or "I run a private consulting practice" (all of which are true, by the way).
The thing was, in order to give each of these a try, it required that I let go of some preconceived image of who I thought I was - an image that, too often, held me back from trying something different or learning something new - other than the latest marketing trends.
"What would people think of me if…?" I would ask myself. I knew things were on an up turn one day when I actually answered myself. The bigger issue, as it turned out, was what would I think of myself if I did these things. What if I failed? What if I succeeded? What if I discovered something about myself I didn’t like (which I did - a few things).
Now, because of these discoveries, successes and failures, when someone says, "tell me about yourself" I can answer them honestly, which nine times out of ten may be too deep. But at least I’m being more creative. "Well," I tell them, "I’m a dog, not so much a cat. I’m really more butterscotch than chocolate or vanilla. I’m ambitious, but no longer obsessive. I work-out hard, for me, not for someone else. But chiefly, I can say that life has taught me many lessons. The most important of which is compassion."
So at beYOU.tv, when we say, Discover You! We mean it. The first thing to do is to let go of something and in most cases, that’s fear. This is why my first favorite today is Gary Null’s Letting Go of Fear.
Gary Null - Letting Go of Fear
Fear is the probably the single biggest barrier to change or fulfillment. Gary talks about the idea that the feeling of incompleteness limits the ability to feel everything in our lives. It creates inner conflict or dualism (the preconceived image vs. the dog loving, butterscotch eating person) which prevents you from growing. Check out this video, let go of your fear and see what could be waiting for you!
Overcoming fear requires constant effort, big and small, but I find it gets easier. That’s why I try to find something I’m afraid of (almost) everyday, and then give it a shot. That was the thinking when I made a fool of myself learning to hip hop dance (think Steve Martin in Bringing Down the House). Which brings me to my second favorite today, MaDonna Grimes’ Dance Street 4.
MaDonna Grimes - Dance Street 4
If I had not gotten over myself, so to speak, I never would have tried this video, even in the privacy of my own home. But I’m glad I did. If you can count to eight, you can learn this routine. Get sassy, throw some attitude and connect with your inner diva! You’ll be amazed how great you feel afterwards. It’s the perfect way to let go!
But more than what I think, I want to know what you think. Post a comment, let us know what your favorites are…and how your moves went in the club.
Have a great weekend. And remember, BeYou - Everyday!
Bob
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