Jen & Company

So, the other day, a friend of mine was telling me that she was taking her child on a “go see”.  I asked her what that meant and she explained that it is what they call a casting call for models, or something like that, don’t quote me, but that’s the gist.  I thought the term was pretty cool.  To me, if feels like it takes some of the pressure out of an otherwise stressful situation.  I am not trying out, oh no, I am just going to “go see”.  I’m just, you know, going to see what happens…maybe they will book me for the modeling job and I will possibly rocket into super stardom OR maybe not, whatever.

Life with a go for it and just see what happens attitude is waaaay more fun.  Imagine approaching something as potentially self-esteem bruising as a modeling call with a child-like attitude of adventure.  I don’t know about you, but that image instantly makes me want to try new things and reach outside my comfort zone a bit more just to experience that kind of wonder and excitement on a regular basis.

When it comes to getting embarrassed, feeling rejected, looking dumb and all those other negative feelings I spent a so long trying to avoid, I realized something powerful and life awesomizing.  It isn’t in avoiding experiences that we escape those yucky feelings, it is in shifting our perception of those experiences that we free ourselves from the sucky feelings that we fear.  Meaning, if we DECIDE not to perceive an experience as embarrassing, um, it won’t be.

I am not saying that we need to run around confronting every fear we have ever let, unless you want to, to which I say, “Go forth and kick ass, my friend!”  But, I am saying that if something seems exciting, if you are drawn to it, if you can’t get it out of your head and the ONLY thing really stopping you from doing it is fear of failure, fear of what others might think, fear of reject…you get the point.  THEN YES, please remind yourself of our new mantra and just “go see” what it’s like to go do that big, wonderful thing that both terrifies and thrills you all at the same time.  If it doesn’t turn out the way you hoped you get to decide if you are going to spend your energy being embarrassed and ashamed or if you are going to learn from the experience and let it help you navigate toward an even better path next time.

I have yet to hear someone say, “Man, I am really sorry I went for that <insert big goal here>.  I should have just stayed home in my pjs.”  Um no, that doesn’t happen.  I have, however, heard people say, “I wish I HAD gone for that <insert unreached goal here>.  I regret having stayed home in my pjs.”  I am paraphrasing, of course, but while the words might change, the sentiment remains.

Good news, though, ok?!  If you are reading this, it means that it IS NOT TOO LATE, I repeat, IT IS NOT TOO LATE.  How fabulous is that?!  You have a CHOICE (sorry for all the upper-case letters, feeling a little pumped about this ).  You can hang out in your pjs and think, wish and dream OR you can, um you know what I am going to say, right? Yes, OR you can Go See!  I vote for the second choice, in case you are asking my opinion.

What is your big, scary goal?  Dish the dirt, I can’t wait to hear.

Here is a link to an adorable printable from my friend, Blanca (www.colorfulblanca.com) about this very thing.  She reminds you to pick something exciting and just start.  If it doesn’t work the first time, just try again.  NO BIGGIE.  You are just having fun and going to see.

HOW TO START cheat sheet

xoxo,

Jen

featured, goals, happiness, perfectionism

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