Before You Quit

I wanted to quit.

I woke up in a fine mood this morning, but shortly after waking I saw a post by my idiot Congressman still trying to sell us on the awful AHCA proposed by the House. That got me feeling worried again about my health insurance. And from there it all spiraled downward.

I wanted to quit because I miss the security (correction: I miss the illusion of security) of having employer-sponsored health insurance, and I really miss my six-figure paycheck!

Being a solo-preneur is hard AF a lot of the time. When you put out offers and you hear crickets. When you feel like no one cares what you’re offering. When you think that you’re not so special and everyone else is doing what you’re doing – only they are better at it. When the bills are rolling in but the money isn’t. Those are hard, hard days.

And this morning was one of those days. And I wanted to quit.

Do you see what happened there? This is the human process – it doesn’t matter if you’re a coach or a therapist, or the Dalai fricking Lama. Our minds work the same way. A little fear comes in, our inner lizard jumps on it, and then it’s off to the races – and the next thing we know we feel like crap, and we want to give up on our biggest dreams because they seem impossible.

It all starts with one lousy thought that we believe. And then we believe more and more crappy thoughts. And then we either quit or we never start that thing we really want.

I threw on my workout clothes and headed out for my morning walk with my walking buddy. (Side note: Really, one of the very best things in life I have found when you are troubled is a good walk and talk with a friend. Seriously. It’s fantastic.)

On our walk I was whining about wanting to throw in the towel, and then I had this thought: What if I weren’t worried about money? How would I feel?  And then: Lightning bolt!

I’d feel happy. I’d feel excited. I’d feel curious. I’d feel free. Everything changed in that moment.

What is something you want? Want to go on a beach vacation this summer but are worried about how you will look in a swimsuit? Want to try salsa dancing but afraid you’re not coordinated enough? Want to quit that god-awful, soul-sucking job but you think you can’t find something better?

What if you didn’t believe the crappy story that is stopping you?

Think about the thing you want and the thing you think is stopping you. Now ask yourself, “What if I weren’t worried about _______?” (How you’ll look in the swimsuit, whether or not you’re coordinated, or what other people will think of you, etc.)

How would you feel if you weren’t worried about that thing? Would you feel excited, free and inspired?

For most of us, it’s just a story that is stopping us. I mean, today I have health insurance. Today my bills are paid. I have money in the bank. All of that crappy story was future projections – just stories. Do I know for sure exactly where the money will come from in the next six months? No. But I also don’t know what other great things can happen over the next six months, either.

Try this: For today, (just for today – no long term commitment required) drop your story about why you can’t do what you really want. And see how it feels.

I’d love to hear from you when you try this! Drop me a note at [email protected] and tell me about how you felt when you dropped your story.