Risk Taking: 4 Ways to Take the Leap

“Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of change”

Brene Brown

Growing up, I loved going to the lake, pool, ocean, or water of any kind. To me, it is the existence of both fun and peace and something that is sacred. Except if jumping off of a cliff, boat, pier, etc is involved. Everyone who I knew growing up saw me back down from the height and ease myself into the water slowly.

Except for this one time. One time, I ran and jumped into the water off a dock. It was terrifying and amazing at the same time. I did not put much stock into this event until my beautiful writer friend (A.K.A. Defender of Dreams) slowed down this moment to the moment after the jump. Where the toes are the last to push off the ground and you are flying through the air. The split second before the splash into the water is freedom.

The photo of me in this photo was taken right at the moment my sister told me to jump—my face is the epitome of feeling weird and silly, but also totally free. I have stared at this photo many times in my journey—always at a time where I make a big decision. I remember that crazy feeling as I leaped up into the air. You can’t see it in the photo, but in front of me is a hotel full of people; down to the left, a beach filled with families. Me? I have tried to slink into the background everywhere I go, to make as little footprint as necessary, to cause as little ripple in the water as possible. But the moment of this photo—all that changed. Now, instead of holding my breath and crouching into myself when making a decision, I’m leaping into it. Why?

1. To Prove it to Myself

The moment I jumped was the moment I saw that I could. The moment before I didn’t believe it. The moment after, I couldn’t believe I actually did it. Yet, when I look back on this photo or on the time I jumped off the pier. Proving it to myself that I could do it empowered me to do it again. And again. And again.

2. It Flips the Fear

My pastor a few years ago had a sermon entitled “Flip your Fear”, and I have seen this phrase evident in so much since I read an article about test anxiety.

In the research, it was showing that our bodies physically feel fear the same way as it feels anxiety. I found that interesting so I kept reading and researching this topic and sure enough, studies were showing that test anxiety scores increased when students would shift their thoughts from “I don’t want to write this test” to “I’m so excited for this test to be over”. The research showed that when we change our perspective about fear, it changes the outcome of the event.  Do I look scared? or am I excited? Is the adrenaline pumping through my body from excitement? Serious to consider too, is the adrenaline a result of a real threat?

Starting my own business has been the most terrifying and exciting (see that!) time of my professional life. Fear comes and says “there’s nothing unique about you” or “that’s a dumb idea Sharla—everyone will hate it”. When I choose to flip this around though, possibilities emerge, confidence emerges, passion reignites. Did I spend about 8 hours deciding on a colour scheme? Yes…yes, I did. Was I at first afraid that a colour scheme dictates my business? Yep. In those moments, thank goodness for my village and supports who helped me relax and trust the process. My Business Coach helped me connect again with the values that I hold dear. Left on my own with my fear, I would have never tendered my resignation at a job I loved yet have outgrown. Fear flipped into excitement about possibility.

3. The Ripple Effect

Throwing a rock into a puddle will cause ripples. So will dipping it in very slowly. Changes I make can be slow or fast, and they will ripple out. This concept has fascinated me since I first read Rachel’s Tears a book about a Columbine school shooting victim in 1999. The book was a collection of Rachel’s journal entries and the impact she had on her community and now the greater world. The decision she made to write each time impacted someone, somewhere.

Leaping is risky, a small one will have ripple effects, but big ones do too. Change is like that—between the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed, thousands of decisions have been made. Some were a conscious decision, some were instinct. When we are mindful of the decisions, I wonder which ones we will continue to keep or if any were to change? I know I would pick up my violin a bit more, or do a load of laundry instead of watch tv.

4. Freedom

That moment the toe leaves the dock,

That moment right when we say yes,

That moment we leap,

We are free.

Hi, I’m Sharla.

I’m a Registered Social Worker who specializes in working with women to heal anxiety and all the fun it brings to the party, ADHD struggles, disordered eating, shame, and trauma.

I founded Bloom Narratives, a private practice that provides holistic wellness services.

Why? So you can be a game changer in your life. Because healing people heal people.