Taking a Leap into the Unknown
Embracing uncertainty, living beyond the comfort zone, and the principles that guide me in this pursuit.
When putting one foot in front of the other, in the act of walking, we typically know — and like to know — where our next step will land. We appreciate certainties, like the ground beneath us, and a known path, to continue our planned trajectory. Taking repeated routes, however, seldom takes us any further than where we have already been. These paths cannot take us to all the places we could potentially go. They are reliable, yet limiting.
Our comfortable, defined, tried and tested paths, cannot take us everywhere. As a matter of fact, sometimes, they take us nowhere.
Earlier this year, following Zen advice, I decided to take a jump. As I flew over the Atlantic, to London, in pursuit of my next adventure, I deliberated intently on this move, and all my previous ones. I concluded: Every time I have unbound myself from fears, in their majority irrational and made up fears, the most thrilling of uncertainties ensue, followed by the most gratifying outcomes.
Leap and the net will appear.
This last jump is one I have yet to land. The thrilling uncertainty turned terrifying, as even defined paths dissolved under the world pandemic. But, part of the beauty of taking a leap into the unknown is surrendering to the uncontrollable and rejoicing in this space of unlimited potential. In this wondrous place not only might you find what you seek, but you may also discover what you never even thought to look for. A net, even if not the one you expected, always appears.
Many existing adages call us to stray from the safety of our set ways, this is not a novel concept. And by no means do I consider myself a master at this, let us call it, ‘Art of Jumping’. I personally know many who have leaped further, wider, and more often. I simply want to share my message as someone who has seen his life positively defined (and continuously redefined) by un-clinging from certainties and befriending the undefined.
Developing amicability with these notions has led me to the most exciting entrepreneurial pursuits, transcendent experiences, incessant adventures, and much learning. More than a method of goal obtainment, it has become a life philosophy.
While I embrace straying from the given path, I have great respect for stability, and those that value it much higher than I do, and I do believe in some sort of balance. However, I have gotten so much more from life, so much more life, in places outside my comfort zone that I would like to share with you the principles I have developed from these experiences — a small synthesis of the practical steps that guide me.
Let go of your fears…
This is the first step. The mere thought of straying from the known path tends to sprout fears and limiting beliefs. It sure did for me, I often felt overwhelmed with doubts when desiring something different. Two realizations helped me (and still do today): (1) the prospect of inaction, mainly in the long-term, was no less frightening (dull, disappointing, and depressing), and (2) most of the things stopping me from taking action were based on faux constraints, made up completely by me, or by society.
I had to analyze my fears closely to realize that most were senseless, unfounded, and undeserving of my attention, let alone the privilege of defining my plans.
Some were valid reservations, but when compared to the price of no-action, these too were mitigated.
With societally constructed constraints, I found it liberating when deciding which societal agreements, I would no longer agree with. As widely accepted as many of these may be, I let go of notions of time (and how long things should take), judgments, and behaviors.
One must stay intentional about letting fears go, as it rarely comes naturally to us humans. A constant reminder is necessary and these two exercises help me:
- Putting my fears (and their cause) into perspective — They are often oh-so-insignificant, and quickly lose value. Nature is a phenomenal facilitator for this.
- When I manage to overcome a fear, I ask myself “Is this what you so feared?” belittling my former fears away, for good. (Pro tip: ask yourself this question, arms open, yelling to the heavens. It is quite freeing. Potentially awkward if done in public, but only if norms restricting this behavior, are a societal agreement you still agree with).
It does not have to be a reckless jump…
Much of my discourse thus far may make this whole concept sound exciting, but reckless. It does not have to be. I neither condone nor condemn reckless leaps — I think they have their particular place and value, but most of my jumps have not been rash at all.
You can be meticulous about walking beyond the comfort zone, you can carefully plan every step to the edge and even have a potential plan for the other side. Once you get to the edge, however, you must accept the myriad factors that are beyond your control, and keep going. Otherwise, you will never really find out how far you could go.
This surrender is a pivotal turning point, and a catalyst for endless potentialities.
You can even make yourself an escape plan or define what will prompt a return to your comfort zone. That is okay, as long as it does not limit how far you leap. A half-hearted jump is just infinitesimally better than not jumping at all. It could, at the very least, give you the courage, after touching the waters of the unknown, to take an actual leap next time — until the net appears.
Believe…
Faith is a huge asset when walking out into the undefined and uncertain. Faith that the net will appear, that things will work out, faith in yourself and your abilities, faith in the universe, in your religion, in the lessons from some random article you read on Medium.
Believing in the net, truly believing in it, seeing it, visualizing it, is half the job (or more) done.
Remember, this free-falling zone of unlimited possibilities is a fantastic place. The mind is granted much more freedom to create realities than in its typical confined spot, where everything is already known.
Believe, listen, and be attentive. You do not want to miss the signs leading you in a certain direction. Your net might be right there, but could look completely different to what you imagined, while having all the core aspects that you wholeheartedly desired.
Stay curious…
Some may argue that you can build a placid and fulfilling life within the security and stability of what you know and have always known; I will not refute that. But, in my life, I have found that the thrill of living, far surpasses the contentment of existing.
Moments of instability have provided much more excitement than those of stability, and there is so much meaning to be found in struggles and changes. There is so much more out there that the world has to offer. If you have valid reasons to stay put (mentally, physically, or spiritually), so be it. However, do not stay stuck in mindless inertia, paralyzed by fear or bound by societal obligations, as you may — I strongly opine — live to regret it.
Stay curious, curious about what you can learn, about what you can see, about all that you can be, do, and experience.
My collection of moments and memories has expanded exponentially by consciously deciding to stay curious, and keep leaping.
These four points have been paramount in my continual pursuit to go beyond my comfort zone, and applying them to big and little decisions has ultimately molded my lifestyle.
They have not led me to achieve great business success, enlightenment, or incessant happiness — yet, maybe — but, I can comfortably walk along the edge of the precipice leading into the unknown, sit on its edge, smiling, and observe the vast and beautiful undiscovered, the magical infinite potential, that’s just a jump away.
