Taking Risks - Investing in our Lives

Written March 2021

About 30 seconds ago, I sent an email confirming that I wanted to buy a crazy good vocal booth from Studiobricks.

This is something that I've been thinking about for quite some time - since I started this business. It's something I've been waffling about. Asking questions regarding 'what ifs'. What specs should I get? What if I get the wrong ones? What if I'm not happy with it? What if I can't do the work and it turns out to be a waste of money? What if I can't find an ideal place to live in the future because of this thing I have to lug with me?

Two minutes ago, those were very real fears.

The unknown is always scary.

But I've done the research. I know what I want. And getting the absolute best that I can, that makes sense for me … it takes that fear away.

Hitting the 'send' button on the email. Wow. My reaction was sitcom worthy. Seriously. I took a deep breath, said something comforting to myself, and clicked the button. And it sent. And I freaked.

There's a clip from 'The Big Bang Theory' where Sheldon and Leonard visit Skywalker Ranch. They seem totally cool, and then Leonard presses the button, and they freak out. "Oh my gosh you pressed it!! AAAGGH!!" (I can't find the clip online, but it's a thing, trust me.)

That was basically my reaction.

The thing is, it was a good freak. That adrenaline. I feel alive.

Before, it was a bit like a dream. Something that didn't really seem real. Unachievable. And the thing is, it's always going to be unachievable unless we take action.

We know it's a risky move. Any investment is. Anything that pushes against our comfort zone. And taking that risk - the simple risk of drafting an email, and sending it, catapults the way to success.

That was probably the hardest part of developing the environment I need to thrive in this industry. Saying "okay" to the risk. Taking the plunge. Stepping off the ledge, knowing we have a secure bungee cord that will catch us. That cord is us. Our core. Core confidence. The feeling of knowing that whatever happens, we will be okay. We have everything we need inside of us. We were born with it. And in the end, none of us is getting out alive. So why not take the risk? Why not live a life of adventure as opposed to a life of certainty? Why not pave the way for future generations to breathe more freely?

I love this feeling.

The feeling of freefall. When we step off the ledge, there is definitely an adrenaline rush. And when we take the steps to rid ourselves of something we know is weighing us down, that weight begins to lift. That stress starts to melt away. Gravity allows the weight that burdens us at times to find a new home.

And gravity also allows us to fall freely. And if we take those risks with a calculated mind, we can build ourselves wings. We can spread them. We can fly.

That, to me, is worth the risk. And it's really not as scary as it looks. Actually, it's really fun. It's freeing. And it's beautiful.