Inspiration. Overwhelm. Gratitude.
A little over a week ago I entered Marie Forleo’s contest for a free ticket to her Rich, Happy & Hot LIVE event in New York City this November. I don’t normally do this sort of thing… I guess I shy away from putting myself out there in certain ways (that and I’m crazy broke right now – flight is not included). But for whatever reason, when I read the announcement for the competition I felt a strong urge to enter it.
There was an option to post a video entry and bonus points were awarded for those who tweeted about the opportunity. I did neither. Instead, I simply wrote out my entry, answering three questions about my venture. I answered from the heart… where I’m at with StartupCorner now, what is my biggest hurdle and where will I take the business once I overcome that hurdle. My answer was simple and heartfelt. I am my biggest hurdle. As crazy or strange as it may sound I feel like it’s time for something inside of me to emerge. I feel as though I am clear on my purpose, the many ways I want to positively change the world and how I plan to do that… yet I stay tucked away and struggle with reaching out to the people I need to.
Example… twice I have been to events that are with a community of people I want to connect with. Twice, I have sat there, dumbfounded, with absolutely nothing to say and definitely unable to introduce myself and what I do unless asked. It’s not really that I’m shy… I have no problem talking to strangers and I’m able to carry conversations for quite some time… it’s almost as if I’m stuck in this place of knowing who I’ve been and knowing who I want to be (and am capable of being), yet having an inability to function as either.
It’s a lot like the day I was first learning to ride a bike without training wheels. After practicing most of the evening, my older sister was going for a ride around the block with some neighborhood kids. I wanted to go so badly… but wasn’t ready to venture that far without the training wheels, so my dad put them back on. As I started to roll out with everyone else, I suddenly became aware of the fact that I could no longer ride my bike WITH the training wheels on. I was stuck in limbo, and for a brief period, could no longer ride a bike.
I know who I am and what I need to do, but it’s like I can’t ride my big girl bike yet and I’m too far along for the training wheels.
As I said, I did none of the social media bonus actions and did not go all out with a video. I also did not win the prize. Instead, I am one of twelve additional women who Marie is gifting a $1500 ticket to the event. I AM BEYOND GRATEFUL AND EXCITED. I am also nervous and overwhelmed. I am already inspired and I haven’t even figured out how I’m going to get to NYC.
But I have to go. I’ve committed 100% to StartupCorner and launching it this coming January… and despite doing the least amount of “putting myself out there” possible for this contest, despite the fact that this is terrible timing financially and being alone in the big apple is a little bit scary, I have been gifted with an amazing opportunity to grow as a person and to grow my business. And THAT makes it perfect timing. You don’t just excuse yourself out of something like this. You make it happen and that’s just what I intend to do.
Have you stepped outside of your comfort zone and put yourself out there lately? If not, what’s holding you back?
