We all like to have some sense of certainty before we walk toward the skinny branches of our Comfort Tree. We wanna know how many leaves are on each of the branches, what color they are, and what their texture is like. We also wanna know if we can trust those little twigs to hold our weight long enough since we’re planning to sit there for a while – before we take a big leap out into the big, blue sky of the Unknown.
We like to be in control and know as much as possible before we make a big move, as if every detail will armor us in any unexpected events that life will present us. It makes us feel almost as if we CAN tell the future and it gives us a sense of invincibility.
So, back to our Comfort Tree and what it’s like to be in its skinny branches…
Those who are most successful were CLEAR on their goal and intention. Do you think that Michael Phelps figured he could be an accountant if the whole “swimming thing” didn’t work out?
NOPE.
Do you think he was comfortable when his alarm woke him up at 5am so he could practice everyday for hours on end and swim miles and miles and miles?
No way!
And after all of his hard work, preparation, and practice – were there chances that he wouldn’t win gold medal after gold medal in the Olympics? Is it possible that there could have been a stallion swimmer who was faster and stronger; someone he wasn’t expecting to out-swim his own talent?
Of course.
Chances are, there may have been someone who WAS all of those things in that pool with him. The most profound difference between Michael Phelps and everyone else is:
He KNEW that he would win.
His mental fitness was above and beyond the rest. There wasn’t a single doubt in his mind that the gold medal would be hung around his neck. The power of intention is more powerful than our physical capacity when it needs to be. I read a story about a woman who lifted a 1.5 ton BMW off of her dad to save his life – by herself!
When I was 12-years-old, I read a magazine article featuring Busta Rhymes. He said, “I owe all my success to having no plan b. No other plan of survival. Failure is not an option.” That quote has since then been my favorite quote of all time and it changed my life. He didn’t have a backup plan, so I decided – neither would I.
When I say I want to accomplish something, I accomplish it. In the times that I haven’t reached my goals, I am clear that it was because I allowed a little voice in my head to tell me it cannot be done. It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be.
I was coaching one of my clients, who is an aspiring Grammy winner, and he said he was overwhelmed and scared about his next move. I said, “Great! That means you’re hanging out in the skinny branches and you’re about to spread your wings and fly! The Uni-verse will not let you fail. Do not be attached to how your journey looks, but be clear on what you want to achieve. If you discover a new passion, embrace that, and reassess your priorities. Every leap you take will allow you to explore the forest. Flying high in the sky is what brings you closer to your dream. One thing is for sure, that Grammy will never be in your hand if you keep playing it safe. If you don’t get it, you won’t have wanted it badly enough.”
Instead of calculating the number of leaves on those skinny branches (because that is a total waste of time), take a running leap into the Unknown. YES! Now you can spread your wings and soar!!!
Are you holding onto the trunk of your Comfort Tree, or are you walking toward your skinny branches? Tell me what’s going on in your life and tell me what the next action step will be! I love reading all of your comments below. They always make my Thursday extra awesome!
Love all that is you,
Jenna xox
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Jenna Phillips is a Total Wellness Philosopher, Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach, AFAA Certified Personal Trainer & the founder of her lifestyle brand I’m On A Mission. Follow her on Twitter and be inspired.
