just get in the f*$#*& pool

I remember when I first made the decision to leave my day job and go freelance.

For years, I’d been working as a corporate copywriter. I made a decent salary. Had health insurance. Loved my team.

Commuted 2+ hours a day. Worked 10-12 hour days, often taking work home and continuing to work on the weekends. Dealt with toxic coworkers outside my department that would literally storm into my cube and scream at me.

For YEARS I put up with that. Even though I had friends that were successful freelancers.

I had this internal monologue that you might recognize:

“Oh, they’re lucky… they have a more flexible boss/more money to travel than I do.”

“They must not have a spendy SF bay area mortgage like I do, and are a bit more free to take risks.”

“They know how to run a business and I’m hopelessly behind the curve. I don’t know if I can figure it all out.”

Maybe you recognize these thoughts… maybe you’ve had them yourself.

And that’s understandable.

All that is, is your brain trying to protect you from something scary and new.

You can’t really fault your brain for coming up with excuses.

That’s your brain’s job… to protect you from the unknown and maintain the status quo.

And if you LET IT, you’ll find all kinds of reasons not to do the thing you’re trying to do.

I liken it to this kickass pool party on a hot summer day…

You’re standing on the edge watching your friends splash around and have fun.

Maybe some of them are playing chicken. Some are sitting in the shallow end with cocktails, talking. Some are doing laps.

They’re all having their version of fun.

And it’s SO hot outside. You could REALLY use the refresher.

But you don’t know if you’ll remember your doggy paddle.

Or what if it’s so cold you have to deal with shrinkage?

What happens if you get water up your nose and hack up a lung and someone has to rescue you?

The point is this:

You could stand on the sidelines forever, baking in the sun, thinking of reasons why to prolong the suffering and play it safe.

Or you could use the evidence in front of you to realistically evaluate your fears.

You could just get in the f$*#&@ pool.