About six years ago I made the decision to leave my "safe" corporate job and pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. I was scared, this was just after the financial crisis and the economy was slowly starting to recover. Plus my father was dying, it was an emotionally challenging time for me, but I knew that this was my window, this was my chance, I felt it deep within me.
I decided after much internal debate to leap and since then, my life has unfolded in ways I would have never imagined. My whole life opened up! I started my own consulting business and have been working with some of the most amazing people all over the world.
I moved to Italy and within one month was featured in "Where Milan" magazine. I even wrote the book I AM THE GATEKEEPER with 101 Daily Keys to Unlock Your Happiness, Overcome Adversity and Fulfill Your Purpose. I would like to share three keys from my book that I believe gave me the courage and confidence to charge forward right into my dreams and create the life that seemed like a distant dream.
#1 Overcome Your Heart's Deception: Sometimes we are afraid to pursue our most important dreams because we are afraid of judgment, disappointing our family or friends and most of all disappointing ourselves. That little voice always seems to creep up just as you are about to step into action saying "they will laugh", "you can't do it", "you are not an expert" or "what if something bad happens".
This is where you need to learn the difference between your fears and your inner truth. Your inner truth will never bring turmoil or confusion. For example, fear will say "don't do this you will break your leg", your inner guidance will say "take this turn, you will land better". One inner voice will use scare tactics and the other uses positive guidance. If you learn to discern the difference, you will find yourself taking greater action every day.
#2 You Are A Master Piece: When was the last time you acknowledged how great you are? So often we do not give ourselves permission to acknowledge our own strengths and greatness. You are unique and there is no one else on earth like you. No one else will have the exact life experience as you do; therefore, the way you creatively express your strengths and passions will be unique.
When we compare ourselves to others, it weakens our confidence and removes the focus on what makes each of us individual and the masterpiece that we are. What makes the world beautiful is that we are all different and see things differently. Acknowledging that you, as you are, is good enough for the desires you want to pursue, can help give you the confidence to move forward. Yes, you may need some coaching or training, but instead of staying stuck on what you lack, focus on creating a plan to get to where you want to go and take action.
#3 Winning the battle of the mind: At times when you are trying to make the shift from where you are to where you want to go, the mind becomes a battlefield. Your old habits seem to be determined to keep you exactly where you don't want to be. It can feel like an internal tug o war. It's like saying "I am a success" and suddenly the mental picture of that last project or event where you messed up comes back to remind you that you are not. But you have the power to overcome this.
Using daily affirmations and meditation are great ways to impose new ideas into your mind and help you build greater confidence. Over time, you will find that the argument will lessen if you stay persistent. At first, it will seem like it's not working but keep pressing on with imposing these new ideas for 30 to 90 days or for as long as you need to. You have to persist until your mind has no choice but to accept those truths. Instead of saying for example "I am winning" trying say "I am now winning". Saying that whatever you want is starting to happen now should lessen the internal argument.
You are the Gatekeeper of your own life and you have the power to change it. Declare yourself CEO of your happiness and life. Build your confidence by gaining a greater awareness of your thoughts and replacing negative ones, with thoughts that will become an ally to your success.
Trust in your own truth and remember, you are not reaching for your dreams, your dreams are reaching for you. I believe that we are all Gatekeepers of our own lives. We each have the power to rewrite our story and create the change we want to see. Often what is standing in our way is our own fears and limiting beliefs. Today, I help entrepreneurs build their brand and create their life styled for freedom. My life experiences made me realize that it is truly amazing what you find on the other side of your fears.