One of our greatest sources of authentic power in life comes from our willingness and ability to act – especially in the face of obstacles and fear. To be truly successful and fulfilled, we must challenge ourselves to take bold and courageous actions and to go for what we want. Legendary author Ray Bradbury said, “First you jump off the cliff and then you build your wings on the way down.”
In the summer of 1998 I was in the midst of a major life transition. I’d blown out my pitching arm a little over a year earlier and had gotten released by the Kansas City Royals that March. I was home in Oakland, CA collecting workers comp insurance (and not working), recovering from simultaneous elbow and shoulder surgery that I’d had at the start of that summer, reeling from what was sure to be the end of my dream of becoming a Major League baseball player (even after my arm rehab was completed), and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life.
Throughout that spring and summer, I read numerous self help books that inspired me – both by what I learned from them personally and also by the idea of being able to write books like that and help people myself. I would wander into bookstores and find myself drawn to the personal development section – both to look for new books for me to read and also because I had a deep yearning to be involved in that world myself.
Given my age at the time, twenty-four, my lack of experience, and the fact that I had no idea how one would even begin a career as a self-help author and motivational speaker, I felt discouraged, scared, and confused. Being an author and a speaker one day seemed like a pipe-dream. And, in the weeks and months ahead I knew I’d need to make some important decisions about what to do and what specific steps to take as I ventured out into the “real world” for the very first time.
On July 11th, 1998 I had a conversation on the phone with my Uncle Steve that as I look back on it now, was a pivotal moment in the course of my life and my work. That day on the phone, I shared with him some of my deepest fears, dreams, confusion, and desires for my life and my future. I told him that I thought I wanted to be an author and speaker who could help and inspire people, but that I didn’t know how to do that, where to start, or what I could do in my life right away that would lead me in that direction.
Steve challenged me and said, “For you to do this Mike, you’re going to have to ‘step out’ and be bold in your life. It’s not a one-time thing; it’s a day-by-day process. The question to ask yourself today and every day is, ‘What am I willing to do today to step out in life’?”
This question that Steve asked me, while simple to understand, challenged me to my core – both inspiring me and scaring me at the same time. I wasn’t sure how to answer that question at the time, but thought about it quite a bit.
I got a job that fall working for a dot-com, but my dream of writing, speaking, leading workshops, and coaching people stayed with me. Over those next few years, Steve would send me notes and post cards from time to time with just the words “Step Out” on them. It became a mantra for me.
Even though I knew the job I had selling internet advertising was not my “calling,” I chose to be grateful for what I was learning and the money I was making. At the same time I began to look outside of my current job for places where I could “step out” towards my deeper passion and dream of helping people. I did this in as many ways as I could – taking workshops, volunteering, reaching out to established authors, speakers, and coaches, talking to people about my goals and dreams, reading books, and much more.
When I got laid off from my dot-com in the middle of 2000 – Steve’s question reverberated within me deeply. I knew that the bold thing for me to do at that point, even though I still didn’t have a clue about how to go about it, was to “step out” of my “box,” take a huge leap, and do what I could to become a speaker, coach, and author.
It wasn’t easy and there were many times I wanted to quit – but I kept challenging myself to be bold and to go for it, even when I didn’t think I could. It took me six months from the time I got laid off to launch my speaking and coaching business, another two or three years before I was able to establish myself in any significant way, and seven years before I published my first book.
Stepping out of our own “box” is essential to living an authentic and fulfilled life. We often don’t think we’re “ready,” we may not know exactly what we’re supposed to do, and we almost never have a guarantee that things will work out.
Will we get scared? Of course. Will we fail? Most likely, especially at first. As the cliche says, “no risk, no reward.” When we’re willing to put ourselves at risk and go for what we truly want in a bold way, amazing things can happen.
Stepping out of our box in life doesn’t always involve something big like changing careers, moving to a new place, starting a business, ending a relationship, or traveling around the world (although it could). It simply means we’re willing to do, say, or act in a way that is new, different, and/or vulnerable. When we choose to push past our perceived limits and go for it in life – we always grow and learn, regardless of the outcome.
As you do this, make sure to get support, have compassion, and be gentle with yourself in the process. While it can be scary and often counter-intuitive – we’re here to grow, expand, and evolve and one of the most important things we can do in this regard to is to step out of our box in a conscious and bold way!
What are you willing to do today to step out of your box and go for what you really want in your life? Share your thoughts, ideas, insights, actions, and more on my blog below.
Jenny Evans Dunham says
Mike,
I’m wrestling with this issue myself right now and your post came along at just the right time. Thanks for sharing your struggles and how you began to take more risks in your own life.
Right now, I am taking baby steps towards what I feel is my calling in life. It’s so easy just to forget about it and let it slide as I have in the past.
However, as I am getting older, I’m really understanding the fact that you only have one life and you don’t know when it will be over. What will happen to the people I was supposed to help while I was here if I don’t do what I need to do?
I’m always encouraged by your posts. I’ll be rereading this one to keep me motivated in the future.
Jenny
Sylvie M says
Mr Robbins,
I’m deeply energized by your post today.
Stepping out the box today means changing completely my alimentation in order to soften the effect of bipolar disorder on my mind. A french searcher (Seignalet) explained it could help to cut gluten and milk for endogen depression too, so maybe for my disease. So it means changing the basis of what I eat and a lot of things more but I’ll live with this illness no matter what, thanks to art, support and everything I read. Thanks for your post and books about gratitude.
Sylvie
Peter Gum says
Wow ! Spirit really is at work right now. The Joy Choir at the Oakland Center for Spiritual Living just completed an awesome sold-out two night “Out of The Box” concert. Yes that was the title of our concert! Preparing for the concert’s 11 songs gave me many opportunities to leave my “comfort zone” and step up in new ways, from helping build the stage to finding great outfits for my fellow basses. Thank you for sharing your “out of the box” experience.Every morning as I step out of bed I say to myself,’I’m stepping out of my box/cocoon and into another new lifeventure,’ Peter
DawnaLove says
Hi Mike,
Thank you again for your candidness about your personal journey. Hearing your story helps me, and I’m sure others, to relate to you on a more personal basis.
I am truly grateful. I am resonating much closer to my Truth than at any other period in my life. As this is happening, I am being called to step out of my box, now. I am a writer and a free-lance editor. I love what I do. My Truth is to help bring others closer to their inner divinity, or Truth, and to emotional freedom, through my writing. Next step..I have no idea. It’s quite a strange, but comfortable feeling to know what it is I desire to do, to give or help, and not be able to ‘see’ how. This is exactly what you speak of. That is why I am continuing to take one step at a time, even if I don’t know where my path is taking me. My intention is inside of me and close to my heart. I am following that.
I am happy to have met such wonderufl, inspirational people on my path, including you. Though I am both unintentionally and intentionally helping others through my language, on a small scale, I am appreciating the fact that I am feeling led to do this on a more deliberate level, reaching hopefully many more people.
I look forward to your next post. I have a feeling it just might align with my current path, which makes me happy. Namaste’
Bruce Tan says
Dear Mike,
Like you I too have the dream of helping people and influencing their lives. I am planning to start a blog like you and start writing into it.
Thank you for you inspirations!
bruce
Mukesh Anand says
Hi. I am Mr. Mukesh Anand from India. I was living single for 23 years after the demise of my wife. I am 68 yrs of age now. One day I came out of my box and decided to stay in a senior citizen retirement home. That decision changed my thoughts and life altogether. I was more positive and free from routine living. Got remarried to a beautiful lady of my age who was my co-resident. Life has changed towards wonderful just bcoz I jumped out of my story and took a conscious decision to live my life differently. Thanks