Sophie loved fashion. It had always been her dream to be a fashion designer, but the dream was cut short when she had to drop out of school to take care of her sick mother.
Sophie had never resented looking after her mother, and she was grateful to have spent the last few years as her carer. However, it had meant giving up on her dream job, and the closest Sophie had gotten to doing anything in fashion was being the personal assistant to a sales team at a fashion magazine.
The fashion department of the magazine was on a totally different floor than hers, but during her lunch break, Sophie would sneak up there to marvel at the clothes and accessories.
Today, however, was different. Sophie could not believe her eyes as she read her internal email and saw that a job was opening in the fashion department. They were looking for an intern and this was her chance to apply.
For a moment, Sophie felt elated. She allowed herself to imagine working as an intern, working with the clothes, colours, styles, and all the fabulous fashion houses. She felt excited and happy—until she realised the reality of her situation. She did not have the tertiary education they were looking for.
Despite her keen knowledge, her great eye for colour and style, her passion for fashion and her strong work ethic, Sophie “did not have enough education,” and this story would prevent her from submitting her resume and taking a chance.
Unfortunately, many of us do not step out of our comfort zone to take a chance. Instead, we allow fear and doubt to paralyse us and prevent us from taking any unfamiliar steps towards the life we truly want.
Yet life is all about making choices and taking chances. We have the power to choose whether we take the chance, the leap of faith and do something to get what we want or whether we stay where we are. For only when we take a chance, can we see the opportunities that come our way to grow, expand, and have a fulfilling life.
For life is easier when we play small and safe, but it also prevents us from living the life we want. As playing big demands that you step out of your comfort zone. It demands that you stop listening to the fears and doubts in your mind, to stop judging, evaluating, and trying to control the outcome.
So, this week’s challenge is to play large by taking a chance and doing something that takes you out of your comfort zone. Something that makes your heart beat a little bit faster, stretches your boundaries, and allows you to grow and expand. It does not need to be a significant event like buying your first home or travelling to a different country. It could be going to the gym class you always wanted to attend, or asking someone you admire out on a date. It could be going to the movies on your own, publishing your first blog, or even applying for your dream job. Just make the choice and take a chance.
Our history books are filled with individuals who took a chance despite dropping out of or not finishing college. Steve Jobs, Lady Gaga, Ellen DeGeneres, and Steven Spielberg, to name a few.
For there are no guarantees in life, however if you only do what is easy and safe, you will never reap the rewards. Learn to trust in yourself, trust in your instincts, and to believe in your abilities.
In the words of Mark Zuckerberg, “the biggest risk is not taking any risk”. So go out and take that chance that scares you. Your future self will thank you later.
Forever creating,
Deborah Ruth
