If You Always Play it Safe, Are You Really Living?
In life, we have to make many decisions. From what we are going to eat, what we are going to wear, what we are going to do today and sometimes we have to make a decision that can impact our lives drastically. We may need to make a crucial business decision, choose whether we stay or leave a certain relationship or even have to make a decision that could impact someone else's life. We reach a crossroad and whichever decision we choose will put us onto an entirely different path.
Today I found myself at a crossroad. I wasn't really given much time to think about it and had to come up with an answer on the spot. I had a choice between keeping my 9-5 or jumping on a plane to Cambodia. I didn't even give it a second thought, I quit my 9-5 job. Now some people may think that quitting my full time job was reckless. I am not telling everyone to go ahead and just quit their job but before you judge, hear me out.
One thing I learnt while I worked in Recruitment, was that if you are great at what you do, make sure to make yourself known. Even if you aren't looking for another role, you never know what could happen around the corner. If other recruiters/headhunters know about you, when a role pops up they feel you would be a great candidate for, you will be the first to know about it. If your company's competitors know who you are, when they are looking for quality staff, guess who they're going to contact first?
In saying this, I wasn't particularly looking to jump ship. I had actually turned down multiple job opportunities this year alone. I was however always open to hearing about what was out there. This worked out in my favor big time. I am a firm believer of the law of attraction. You attract what you think. If you have good thoughts, good things and good people are drawn to you.
Funnily enough as the words " I am resigning" came out of my mouth. My phone had buzzed with a job offer. I was just thinking to myself, I really shouldn't resign if I haven't got anything secure lined up. Coincidence? I don't think so. Synchronicity is the universe showing signs, guiding you in the right direction.
I could've played it safe, kept at my secure job and helped make someone else's dreams come true. I won't get into the logistics of it all but bottom line is that I used to love it. I used to be motivated and passionate. Lately, it literally sucked the life out of me. It ate at my soul.
I think I would much prefer to jump on a plane, go and meet the Buddhist monks, awe at the beauty of the temples, wander through the rain forest and soothe my soul by doing yoga and meditation everyday. Get away from the rat race we find ourselves in and be centered. Ground myself, feed my soul and nourish my happiness so I can come back and kick goals again. This trip is much needed. I believe it is important to take time out to do things that soothe your soul.
I think back to past relationships when I was indecisive about whether I should stay or go. I was comfortable, it was what I knew. Leaving was so scary and unknown. I couldn't imagine life without them. You know the drill. Do I regret leaving any of my exes? Hell no. To think of the opportunities, the growth, the experiences I have had that I would not have otherwise experienced if I had stayed with any of them. It definitely rings true when they say that life begins outside of your comfort zone.
Look at anyone successful in business, do you think they got to where they were without taking risks? They took a risk to start a new venture, they took a risk to follow their dream. Do you think they played it safe? Now there is a difference between being reckless and taking risks but I truly believe that if it gives you a chance at happiness that you should take the risk and just go for it.
Life is short and happiness is priceless. If you fail, well you actually didn't because you learnt something along the way and maybe next time you know better. And if you succeed? Oh, imagine that. So if you stay in the job that you hate just so you have security, if you stay in the relationship that doesn't bring value to your life because you are scared to be alone, if you continue to do what is easy instead of starting that awesome business idea you have because you might fail. Is that bringing you happiness?
So the real question is, if you play it safe, are you really living?
