When the burning desire to change outweighs the need to stay the same you are ready to take the leap.
Now, you know change can be chaotic and scary. So before you take that deep breath and get into ready and set mode, before you go, its best to have a clear understanding of what’s been holding you back. Then think about what to do about it.
Take the wise words of Winston Churchill who cautioned, “One cannot leap a chasm in two jumps.”
Get prepared so you can get to the other side in one long, elegant leap.
Here’s a check list to consider:
1. What pushes your buttons: This is where it’s important to become more than emotionally intelligent, become pattern aware. Look at what makes you react the same way over and over when someone really annoys you. If you always walk away when it uncomfortable learn to stay present And, if you tend to go into analysis paralysis, end the discussion earlier.
2. Understand others: It’s so easy to “diss” those you don’t agree with and make them less capable. Think about how you can give others some slack, the benefit of the doubt. You see, the demands on you, once you cross the divide, are huge. More is expected and you will be critiqued and given feedback even when you don’t ask for it. Pay deep attention.
3. Change the narrative: Tell your story in a new way. Reinvent the ending of an old story and focus on what is possible. That’s the only way to open up to new possibilities. Access and diagnose the strengths and gaps that have kept you from the big leap till now. Then find a few of the most potent remedies from your new story that point the way to accelerated success.
Take the advice of Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos “Whatever you’re thinking, think bigger.”
Put that motto on your computer, your bathroom mirror, your refrigerator. Say it over and over. Stand up and get ready to leap. See yourself at the edge of that cliff and say those words aloud, with determination. That gives you muscle memory to depend on when you are past ready, set and are at go.
And hear President Theodore Roosevelt next to you, telling you, encouraging you “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
Remember, do the work of becoming aware of your repetitive patterns and find the ways to transform them. Give others slack and dig down to understand rather than slam them. And change the story to one that gives hope. Remember, careful the tale you tell, people will listen.
Get ready to take that leap and fly high.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.