Take a Big Wild Daring Leap

Six years ago, a woman dared me to take a flying trapeze class with her in Chicago while I was traveling across the country for a book tour.

I read her dare and cringed.

I truly hate heights. But, having written the book on doing first time experiences and facing fears, I really couldn’t say no.

The dare became a metaphor for the leap I was taking at that time from my career of 40 years in broadcast news. It felt terrifying, like jumping off a platform 30 feet high and swinging into the air.

I was afraid of falling; afraid there was no net beneath me.

Still, I was compelled to jump.

I could choose the safety of a job I knew well or face my fear and dare for something different. I had a plan, but at times I felt I just had to have pure faith a net would appear beneath me.

Perhaps you are at that point. Perhaps this pandemic has forced you to reconsider and re-examine your life and career. Maybe you know you need to take a flying leap into the unknown or make changes where you stand. Maybe it’s time to hold tight during this crisis, but make plans for the change you know you need to make in the future.

You know in your gut. Is it time for a change; to do the new?

I’m grateful to Martha Kadas, the woman who dared me to face my fear in that flying trapeze class. She’s become a friend and an inspiration as she reinvented her own career and reminded us both how courageous we are.

Our net beneath us was the family, support, friends, professional skills, character and confidence we spent decades building.