I have two friends who are partners in a thriving business. With clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to some of today’s top recording artists, they have their hands in a thousand cool things the rest of us would find fascinating. From the outside looking in, most would think they’re living the dream. But inside, they both secretly felt trapped. Although they were committed to their joint venture, one was also interested in working with clients whose needs reached beyond the scope of their partnership. The other had a growing passion for making truffles. It had been a hobby for years, but when people tasted them, they begged her to make them available to buy. Afraid of what the other one would think if they revealed what was churning inside of them, they both stood still.
How many of us are doing the same thing? We’re doing important work. The bills are getting paid. From the outside looking in, anyone would call us lucky. But inside, we can’t shake the sense that there might be more for us if we’d step out. Shackled to the safety of what’s predictable and expected, we stand still.
For too long, my friends told themselves lies they called reasons why they couldn’t consider a change. They kept their secret… until the day when their worlds would change. I can only imagine what it must have been like for them to have that hard conversation. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.
But it was worth it.
You guys, I’m absolutely BLOWN AWAY by what’s happened for them since then. In the two weeks that followed, the chocolatier rented a commercial kitchen and set up a web site. The very day her site went live, she received twenty orders, and they’ve been pouring in ever since. She also shared some samples at a party, and when the owner of a local winery indulged, he loved them so much he immediately placed an order for 100 dozen! Her truffles are so hot, she’s had to hire staff to keep up with demand.
My other friend has taken on some new projects I can’t be specific about. But I can say this. I’ve never seen her happier or more energized. I’ve never seen her on the verge of something more groundbreaking, important or personally fulfilling. I’ve never seen her primed for greater financial success and influence. She’s thinking outside of her self made box, and feels her possibilities have expanded exponentially.
The greatest surprise is that they’ve found a renewed focus and determination for their partnership as well. Their respect for each other and passion for their business has actually grown as they’ve stepped out.
Okay, so maybe you’re not looking to start or grow a business, but this applies to all of us.
If you’ve got a heartbeat…
– you have a hope for something that lies ahead of you.
– you wrestle with doubt and excuses as to why it can’t happen.
– you think you know how the people in your life or the marketplace will respond… and maybe that assumption keeps you standing in place.
What if you’re right? You might be. It’s possible people will get in the way of your hope. Is that reason enough not to pursue it? Maybe they’ll think you’re nuts to even consider making a change. Is that reason enough not to change? It’s possible, even probable, that the road ahead is rough. Is that reason enough to let it stop you?
And what if you’re wrong? What if there’s something beautiful waiting for you on the other side of your assumptions, your excuses… your fear?
Don’t let doubt quiet the whisper in your heart. If you’re not listening to it, you’re guaranteed to miss the next thing you’re meant to do.
Time is growing shorter every single day. Let’s step beyond our yesterday life… let’s step into tomorrow.
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i’m enjoying your articles. you speak directly to my heart. thank you.
Thank YOU for reading! And for your kind words. I’m glad it speaking to you. Makes me wanna keep going.
Thanks Chance and everyone that enjoyed reading about my journey to chocolate making and how a change in attitude made it all possible! Please check out our website at http://www.lemaraischocolat.com and if you feel inspired, join in the fun by contributing even $1 to our Kickstarter Project at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lemaraischocolat/le-marais-chocolat-gets-its-fair-trade-certificati
Wow, Chance. What a post. Maybe I’m NOT out of my mind for thinking about some of the things I am thinking about. I have an idea that’s very far-fetched that I can’t seem to get away from. Not unbiblical, just far-fetched. Would need the buy-in of a couple of people (well, and GOD) for this to happen. Just gonna keep my hand to the plow and keep praying.
Definitely not out of your mind… When I’m dreaming, I promise myself that if a dream is to die, it won’t die in my head or in my heart… I will give it a legitimate TRY before I give up. I won’t let fear or ‘far-fetchedness’ get in the way.
Ok, I guess I am the only one focused on the chocolates. You are going to have to give me your friends website so I can check it out. I have to admit, Chance, the chocolate dreaming is what got me. lol Love the thoughts. Keep em comin. :)
DEFINITELY!! Her site is lemaraischocolat.com. You can also click the link in the blog post itself where I wrote about her setting up her site in the first two weeks that followed. Check her out – SO delicious! :)
Please come check out the website and sign up for our mailing list for specials. We will have a fun chocolate set for Easter!
YES, EVERYONE!! Do it, do it, do it! This would be a great gift for those you love. lemaraischocolat.com
Will do. I joined your fb page. :)
Thanks, Michelle!
Chance, your posts are my inspiration. Thanks so much for them! Sometimes it all comes down to being brave enough to stop having doubts and do whatever you feel like doing.
You are welcome!! Thanks so much for reading! And you’re right… Sometimes that exactly what it comes down to.
Thanks for great reminder. It is easy to feel defeated in the obstacles sometimes.
I have thought of the quote about falling down seven times and getting up eight. I love that picture of tenacity.
Me too! LOVE that picture. Lots of quotes about that subject in my free Ebook. I think you have it… If so, based on your love of that quote, you’ll find lots of other quotes that resonate in you.
Chance – this is a great story and reminder. And it describes a place where Theresa and I have lived for a little while now (and the restlessness and dissatisfaction you describe are what ultimately led us to move to Colorado and try new things). For me the answer was more a change of setting but for Theresa I think it’s going to be much bigger. It’s something I’ve been writing about too on my site- I guess you and I are both huge geniuses to be thinking about the same things right now! But we knew that.
We are both so stinkin’ brilliant I don’t even know what we’re gonna do with ourselves… Not true. Our brilliance will always lead us. It can never fail. ;) if only…
I didn’t know you are in CO now. Interested to know what’s new, and excited to hear what comes of the leap, especially for Theresa. We should catch up sometime.
Thank you for sharing your heart week to week with us. So proud of you, my friend. Passing it on! :)
Thank YOU for taking the time to read with all you have going on right now. That’s not wasted on me for a second. Thanks too for passing it on!
Chance, this is sooooo good! I needed to hear it today. I will print it and re-read it, because it inspires me! I will share it with my friends, because many of them need to be inspired to pursue new possibilities, too!
Wow, Tonda. Printing it out to re-read? THAT’S an honor. :) Glad it spoke to you today. Certainly something that’s speaking to me in this season too. THANKS especially for sharing the link with your friends. It’s beyond encouraging to think that my words might help someone I don’t even know. What a privilege.
This really touched my heart, Chance. Thanks! Great stuff!
Wow, Carol. Thanks so much for saying so. :)
“Don’t let doubt quiet the whisper in your heart. If you’re not listening to it, you’re guaranteed to miss the next thing you’re meant to do.” ….aaahhh, yes. LOVE you Chance, thank you for sharing. :)
Love you too, Judy… And thanks for the constant inspiration.
Chance,
This made me cry. I really hope that somebody who reads this, will
find the courage to try something new and intriguing. Thank you again
for caring enough to say something. Your words never fail to bring new freedom and insight.
I hope that too, Debbie. It’s my greatest hope for this blog. Thank you for your encouragement… it helps me more than you know.
Chance this is amazing . Thank you for sharing this , you are one of my favorite people
your friend GB
THANKS for reading, Gary. You and your family are all so special to me…. Thanks for your kind words. They mean so much to me.
Awesome post Chance! We put limits on ourselves. God is the only one who knows what our limits are. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Janet
Yes we do… We limit ourselves FAR beyond we’re meant to be done in many cases. It’s easy to get bogged down in the stuff that really doesn’t matter… So easy to lose our focus. Thank YOU for taking the time to read.