When you know something in your heart on a deep level it can often times be a scary thing. That’s because your heart wants the best life for you and that often times requires action attached to risk. Nothing is ever gained without some type of risk. And those endeavors that are worthy of a noble heart always involve a risk. If nothing is risked, nothing is gained. Risk is the possibility of losing something dear to you. It could be money, how you’re perceived by others (reputation), embarrassment, or simply the possibility of failure. Whatever it is that your heart is calling you to risk because of a noble action, you will feel it on a deep, almost paralyzing, level. But here is the coolest part of following your heart and taking a risk. It always pays off. It may not pay off in the way you hope, but it pays off none the less. In fact, it is guaranteed to pay off even when what is risked is lost. How is that you ask?
It’s one thing to tell yourself that you believe in yourself. It’s quite another thing to put action behind it. Action is the proof. And when you take action based on something you know deep in your heart, you are not only affirming that you believe in yourself, you are putting your money where your mouth is. Action cannot be denied. You can’t talk yourself out of an action you have taken. It’s done. It’s there. It’s etched in the stone of personal history. You can always look back at it, regardless of the outcome, and say… “I did that! I believed in myself! I believed in myself enough to take a huge risk!”
I cannot overstate how powerful this is. Every time you take action based upon what you know in your heart you reinforce belief in yourself. It’s like the heroin of confidence. Following your heart is addictive and brings the power of momentum. When you follow your heart you affirm all the remarkable things that are you and that you truly believe about yourself. This feeling of believing in yourself completely, without reserve, becomes extremely addictive because there is no negative connotation attached. It’s pure beauty in relation to yourself. And it feels indescribable to have positive feelings about yourself because you truly believe you deserve them.
Momentum begets more action. When you’ve got momentum on your side and you are following your heart, doors open up in ways you’ve never imagined. Not only that, but because you took a risk with your actions it is easy to believe that you deserve these incredible opportunities. Following your heart with action short circuits shame, doubt and hesitation on the other side of each decision and the momentum clears the resistance for your next risky task.
Now, there are two kinds of risk. The kind that involves stupidity, like walking down a dark alley by yourself in any city when you can be fairly certain there is imminent danger lurking in the shadows. It is wise to avoid these kind of risks and I would not encourage you to put yourself in harms way. But then there is the kind of risk that is less tangible. Like making yourself vulnerable to another human being or publishing an article on a topic that is extremely personal to you. The limbic system, the most primitive part of your brain, which is hard wired for survival, cannot tell the difference between the two. So it is natural to feel fear in regards to the second type of risk. But if you trust your heart and move forward by taking action you are guaranteed a pay off. It’s already worth it.
If you are interested in subscribing to the mailing list and receiving these via email, simply click under ‘subscribe to the mailing list’.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." - Steve Jobs
"If you have the guts to keep making mistakes, your wisdom and intelligence leap forward with huge momentum." - Holly Near
"There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction." - John F. Kennedy