“If you’re experiencing no discomfort, the risk you’re taking probably isn’t worthy of you.” ~Price Prichart
Like many of you, I’ve grappled with my share of fear over the past few years or so regarding the economy and my livelihood. Today, after I hung up with an amazing, brave, slightly nervous, new Platinum VIP member of my Direct Sales Virtual Academy, I was thinking about that and I want to share a quick snapshot of my story with you. For several years, I worked my business as a single mom. For most of those years, I struggled with the irrational fear that my business would dry up and people would stop needing the unique, but very specific message I have to offer. When the recession hit in late 2008, all of my logical instincts told me to “hunker down,” pull in, stockpile all of my resources, and stop spending money on anything I didn’t deem “essential.” The problem with that mentality is that it was fear based, and I also know that nothing grows out of fear and lack except more fear and lack.
Luckily, one of the things I’ve also been learning to do over the past several years is to listen to my intuition (that still small voice inside me that always leads me in the right direction if I’ll only sit still and be quiet long enough to listen to it). And the more I’ve learned to do that, the more I’ve begun to notice something interesting. In every instance where my head is telling me the sky is falling and that I could be at poverty’s door at any moment, my intuition is telling me I need to spread my wings and grow in a whole new direction. It happened in 2008, it happened in late 2010, and it happened this past Fall.
The other thing I’ve learned is that following my intuition instead of playing it safe and listening to my logical side always requires a leap of faith. Because usually, in order to do that, I have to make a large financial investment in myself (to learn what I need to know to accomplish this growth), or let go of some critical piece of security in order to reach the new thing I’m seeking. I never make an investment of time and money lightly, but as the years have gone on, I’ve learned to do it without the fear (and that’s huge).
So in the Spring of 2009 (right after that recession I referenced above hit), in a seemingly crazy moment, I hired a landscape designer. I took a huge sum of money out of my savings account and re-landscaped my backyard. I did that because my office looks out at my backyard and I had hated the view for over five years. My intuition told me that if I loved the view, energetically my business would thrive. My head screamed, “BUT THAT’S YOUR EMERGENCY FUND! ARE YOU CRAZY?!?!”
And I did it anyway. I followed my intuition and ignored my safe, boring, logical side.
Since 2011, I’ve experienced more business growth than I would have even dared to dream about three years ago, and I’m doing it with a completely different business model than I’ve ever used before. I’ve spent thousands of dollars over the past several years on education and personal growth. Here’s the point; every single time I’m poised with my mouse over the “Buy Now” button or I’m faced with the prospect of making a large investment in myself or my business, my head is screaming for me to “STOP!” and telling me I could lose it all tomorrow. And every single time, my intuition is gently taking me by the hand and clicking the button or signing the contract or writing the check. My intuition is always right. I get lots of offers for business and personal growth education and not every one is the right fit for me, but when I find something that “resonates” with my intuition, I don’t even hesitate anymore. I’ve seen the results when I trust and I’ve never, ever been disappointed by a decision I’ve made.
So, the lesson I want to share with you is this: Silence the voice in your head whenever possible and learn to get quiet and listen to your intuition. And know that, just like my new client discovered this morning, when something does feel right, it’s okay (if a little scary) to take a leap of faith. The more you stretch, the more you’ll discover in abundance. If you think you might be interested in taking a leap of faith this year in your business, I’d be honored if you considered my Virtual Academy. You can learn all about it here.
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Julie Anne Jones is direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read more blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.
