Change makes us feel uncertain, uncomfortable, and sometimes frightened (especially big change). We’re creatures of habit and we like comfort, so most people either never make big changes, or put them off for years and years.
While I certainly haven’t made all the changes in life that I want to (who has?), I have recently been able to successfully make two major changes. Changes that scared the living daylights out of me!
They were: quitting my job to start a business and deciding to stop waiting for the “perfect time” to start a family.
I have to say right here that I’m SO glad I pushed through all the fear and doubts with both of these decisions. My life is fuller beyond measure because of them.
Thinking back over these changes, I realized I put in place a powerful key for both that led to my ultimate success. I gave myself no choice because I chose to commit to a firm deadline.
By committing to something with a firm deadline, I had to get ready and make the necessary changes, because the deadline was coming, ready or not! There’s was no backing out because of fear.
When I wanted to get out of the job I was in, I made the commitment to my wife Claudia that I was going to quit in 4 months. I had no clue what I was going to do, but I had procrastinated long enough. I needed to do something!
It was only after I gave myself this firm deadline that I got the idea to start my current business.
With starting a family, a firm deadline is naturally built in. 9 months after pregnancy, there’s a baby coming, ready or not! There’s no pushing it back a month or two until you feel more prepared. Nope, it’s go time!
Change like this does’t just happen. Using the powerful key of a firm deadline sets us up for success because we give ourselves no choice but to move forward. And we then stop letting fear and uncertainty control us.
What changes have you made in your life? Did you have a deadline? We’d love it if you’d share in the comment section!
photo by Claudia Good of our son, Jude
P.S. As you may know, we’re expecting our second child in two months and we’re very excited about it! And trust me, we’re getting all sorts of things done that we wanted to get done for a long time, but kept putting off. We have a firm deadline. We have no choice.
On topic of changes, have not made any recently but your post inspired me regarding the deadline issue. On children, cute kid and congratulations on the soon to be blessed event #2!
We have grandchildren and they are a hoot! Posted about one today (and one pending on FRI) if you care to check out at http://www.brucercross.com
Thanks for posting!
Great post, Bruce, and I love the Get Noticed theme on your blog!
Michael
…thanks for the encouragement. I heard last night on a MH webinar that the non beta release is coming out on May 1…..perhaps at some point we can connect via phone…would love to hear what you are doing ….an inspiration to meet as a move forward on my own
Bruce, chatting would be great. Message me. And I was on that webinar last night too. Love what Michael Hyatt is doing!
wil do via Twitter….thx
That is such a powerful truth Michael. It’s so true – if you wait until everything is “perfect” (whatever that even means!) to have children – you’ll find yourself 60 and childless! I’m glad you chose to move forward with your big changes and I’m excited for you and Claudia. You guys always inspire me.
Hah, 60 and childless. That would of been me! I’m glad we moved forward too.
Moved from being a National Youth Director of 2,000 churches to starting my own business. Timetable…3 years working on the side to launch. Hit my numbers and quit my job 3 years to the day. (BTW, I had 3 elementary school kids at the time, so it was pretty scary.)
So thankful and blessed to make the move. I enjoyed what I did as the National Youth Director, but what I do now is definitely what I’m suppose to be doing with the second phase of my working life.
Wow, Kent. Congrats on the anniversary! I know how hard it can be to stay motivated while building something on the side. Well done!
Whoops…didn’t mean to make it sound like it was an anniversary. I meant “I hit the numbers I needed to hit in 3 years.” I’ve been doing Live It Forward for a total of 9 years…the first 3 were “on the side” and the past 6 years have been full time.
Just wanted to clarify. No anniversary celebration intended 🙂
Got it. I would of guessed it was longer than three years. And well, congrats anyway. 🙂 Love everything you’re doing!