“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” — Sun Tzu
The jiu jitsu mat resembled a blue slip & slide.
It was 95 degrees outside, hotter inside.
I was testing for my purple belt.
After about 10 rounds I was pulled off the mat.
I tried to walk back on.
My instructor told me to sit down.
It had something to do with me not making sense when I tried to speak.
The scariest part was yet to come…
A few weeks later, I walked past my instructor.
He asked someone if they wanted to lead a weekly beginner’s class.
I looked behind me to see who he was speaking to.
Nobody was there.
What business did I have leading a BJJ class?
It didn’t matter what I thought.
It was MY TURN…
Leading that class taught me an amazing lesson…
We need the COURAGE to LEAP when opportunity shows up.
We have to walk past our FEAR and JUMP towards what scares us.
To live our best life, we have to TAKE OUR TURN.
Fast forward a few months…
I’m at a SALES seminar.
The presenter challenged everyone in the room to START A BLOG.
He told us having the guts to WRITE SOMETHING and SHIP IT OUT for others to judge will make you better.
A few days later I wrote my 1st post.
I hesitated pushing that “Publish” button for the 1st time.
I was scared.
But it was time to run head first into my little FEAR.
Life is at its best when we TAKE OUR TURN.
3 Ways To Take Your Turn:
Choose Yourself
Don’t wait to be “selected”.
You don’t need anyone’s permission.
- Write that blog.
- Start that Youtube channel.
- Put yourself out there for the world to judge.
Create White Space
Free up creative time each week.
Ryan Holliday wrote, “Cut out all the needless things that make you busy.”
“Busy” is a great place to hide from doing work that scares you.
CREATE something. Share it with the world.
What project has been on your mind but scares you?
That’s the project you should be working on.
Get Uncomfortable
Putting yourself out there is scary.
People will judge you. Some will laugh.
Good!
Seth Godin wrote, “Dance with your fear. Seek out what triggers the resistance and makes you uncomfortable.”
Get comfortable being UNCOMFORTABLE.
Amazing things happen outside our comfort zone.
“The Resistance” tells me all the reasons I should not write this blog.
Every week I have to quiet those voices.
What fear will you overcome this week?
What opportunities will you SEIZE?
I’ll start by hitting this PUBLISH button.
#ItsYourTurn
-Joe Ciccarone
The Vibe 