The Audacity to Live
Audacity: A willingness to take bold risks
Do you have the audacity to live? The audacity to get off the hamster wheel and experience an authentic and fulfilled life?
A few years ago, I realized that whenever I had the desire to do something, I would immediately disqualify myself as if I was not capable of doing or having good things. As soon as I desired to travel somewhere, buy something I liked, or attend an event, I would convince myself that it was either too expensive, too out of the ordinary, or unattainable. Nothing confirmed these messages; it was just me placing a barrier in front of my desires. Why do we do this?
Many of us have been conditioned to automatically fear or say no to things we don’t often do, especially those of us raised in certain religious circles. Anything new or unfamiliar could possibly lead us down a path to hell and destruction, keeping us stuck in a constant state of fear and anxiety.
Do you feel stuck? Stuck in a job that doesn’t serve you? Stuck in a relationship or friendship that doesn’t light you up? Stuck in a way of life that isn’t aligned with your passions or desires?
If you said yes to any of these things, I encourage you to shake things up! Have the audacity to do things differently. Have the audacity to follow your passions, the audacity to spice things up, the audacity to do what you can’t stop thinking about. You will not be disappointed.
I am writing this a few days after returning from my second trip to London in a year. Travel is something I would sit and daydream about constantly. After I had my daughter, I’d dream about taking trips abroad and experiencing different cultures, but often disqualified myself from these dreams because I was a single mom, lived on a teacher’s salary, and things like that just didn’t happen to me. After dealing with my limiting beliefs and working on my mindset, I began to develop the belief that I CAN have the things I desire, the belief that I deserve good things, and the belief that if I took inspired actions, I could manifest what my heart desired. In the last two years, I have traveled to three different countries on two continents.
What do you desire?
Take Action: Clarity and Courage Journal Exercise
Step 1: Reflect and Write
Find a quiet space: Take 10-15 minutes to sit in a quiet space where you won't be disturbed.
Reflect on your desires: Think about what you truly desire in your professional and personal life. Consider your passions, dreams, and what brings you joy.
Write it down: In a journal, write down your answers to the following prompts:
What are three things you’ve always wanted to do or achieve in your professional life?
What are three things you’ve always wanted to do or achieve in your personal life?
What fears or limiting beliefs have been holding you back from pursuing these desires?
Step 2: Identify Action Steps
Choose one desire: Pick one desire from each category (professional and personal) that resonates the most with you.
Brainstorm actions: List at least three actionable steps you can take to move closer to each of these desires. Be specific and realistic.
Example for professional desire: If you want to start a new business, your steps might be to research your market, create a business plan, and reach out to a mentor.
Example for personal desire: If you want to travel more, your steps might be to set a savings goal, research destinations, and book a trip.
Step 3: Take the First Step
Commit to action: Choose one step from your action list and commit to completing it within the next week.
Hold yourself accountable: Share your commitment with a friend or mentor who can support you and hold you accountable.
Step 4: Reflect on Your Progress
Weekly check-in: At the end of each week, take 10 minutes to reflect on your progress. Write about what you accomplished, any challenges you faced, and how you felt taking steps towards your desires.
Adjust and continue: Adjust your action steps as needed and continue making progress. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and keep pushing forward with audacity.
Remember, the journey to fulfilling your desires starts with small, bold steps. Have the audacity to pursue what sets your soul on fire. The audacity to live.
I aim to help ambitious women and organizations get unstuck, gain clarity on who they are, what they want, and how to get it so they can create a lasting impact in their personal and professional lives. I work with clients by providing coaching, consulting, and training to lead them to success, focusing on emotional intelligence, goal setting, action planning, and legacy work. If you would like to work with me, click here to schedule a call.
