Overcoming doubt and embracing change
I quit my job. Actually, I quit three jobs. Three good jobs.
I quit my agency job I held for nearly four years. The job where I worked right beside one of my best friends, had a network of support from people I love and grew personally and professionally.
I quit teaching at the gym and the community center, which are both close to my house and where I’ve developed relationships with my students.
I have to tell you, it feels pretty great.
Yes, it’s also sad. It’s always sad to let go of something, especially something good. But it was time for change. I was getting perhaps a little too comfortable.
The opportunity to teach at CorePower Yoga was sudden. In the morning, my friend Facebook messaged me about auditions. That evening, I auditioned. And the next three weekends, I attended their trainings.
I had doubts about auditioning. Negative thoughts spiraled: Am I good enough? What if I make a fool of myself? I don’t have time to prepare. I don’t need another teaching job.
But I did it. And it’s proven to be a great fit. I’ve made new friends, grown as a teacher and am thrilled to be a part of Kansas City’s first CorePower Yoga studio.
Soon after, an opportunity came to work at a different ad agency in Kansas City. I wasn’t actively looking for a new job, but decided to check it out. Interviewing never hurts, right? Last Tuesday was my first day.
Of course I had serious doubts about this decision, as changing where you spend more time than anywhere else is kiiiiiiind of a big deal. My job is fine, good even. What if I hate this new job? What if it’s not a good fit? What if I don’t get along with the team?
An older, less strong version of myself would not have followed these changes. “NOPE,” she would say. “I’m just fine right here in my comfort zone.” But that’s exactly what propelled me to change. I’ve learned that every time I overcome doubts and trust my journey, I grow. And I’ve learned from my brave friend Sarah that doubting change is a waste of time and energy. JUST DO IT. (Sorry, Nike. I’m borrowing that line.) Sarah is the queen of trusting the journey. I’m sure she has doubts somewhere inside there, but she sure doesn’t let them get in her way. Her strength is contagious and I love catching it.
It sounds simple enough, this business of dismissing doubts. But it’s not. And letting go of something — especially something good — is hard to do. But realizing that risks are worth the reward helped me overcome fear and doubt, let go of what was comfortable and trust the journey the universe offered me.
And if I fail? I fail! It's fine. I trust that if these changes don’t work out, I’ll learn from them. Failure isn’t so scary. In fact, it’s necessary. Just like I fall hundreds of times when trying some yoga poses (maybe thousands of times in my handstand practice), I must fall in life in order to learn, grow and nail that final pose … or fulfill my life purpose.
Here's a fun video of me falling on my face during last night's yoga practice.
It’s never going to be perfect. Perfection is not the goal. In fact, I’m not even sure what the goal is. I’m just happy with the journey. Armed with knowledge gained from the past, I’m soaking up the present. I’ll worry about the future when I get there.
Are you ready for change? My guess is that if you’re contemplating it right now, you are. Here are some words of wisdom to help inspire you. And remember my wise words, borrowed from Nike: JUST DO IT.
“The best thing you can do is the right thing; the next best thing you can do is the wrong thing; the worst thing you can do is nothing.” - Theodore Roosevelt
“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” - Wayne Gretzky
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” - Maria Robinson
“By changing nothing, nothing changes.” - Tony Robbins
“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” - Marilyn Monroe
“The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one.” – Elbert Hubbard
"The price of doing the same old thing is far higher than the price of change." - Bill Clinton
"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us. - Alexander Graham Bell
"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." - Alan W. Watts
"The world hates change yet it is the only thing that has brought progress.” - Charles Kettering
“When in doubt, choose change.” - Lily Leung