Change is a wild ride!

Change can be a freakin Rollercoaster sometimes!

You know what I mean.

The initial trepidation as you stand in line waiting for your turn. Sweaty palms. The cart pulling up. Watching everyone get out. You can feel their energy. See how happy they are. Or relieved it’s over.

Then you get in that little cart. You strap yourself in and hold on. The cart pulls away. Slowly.

As you start to pull awat your anticipation starts to build. You wonder what you've gotten yourself into. You tighten your grip. A nervous grin on your face.

You look around anxiously at the people near you. At the person next to you. Wondering how they are feeling. Or not due to your own emotional state.

You feel the effort as your little cart pulls up steep climb. You chant “I think I can” before stopping yourself.

You look back and feel regret. You have mixed feelings. Excited. Nervous. Anxious. All at the same time.

You hold on tighter. Push the bile down. Throw your hands up and scream as you hit the downward slope.

Sound familiar?

I’ve certainly felt elements of this as I embark on my own self- initiated change journey.

For years I schemed and dreamed of setting up my own business. But I never knew what. I love coffee, shoes and gardening so thought about a cool garden shop that sold shoes and coffee. I had the visual in my head. But I couldn’t really see it working. So it never went anywhere.

I love renovating homes. And have done a few now. But the last one I did was pretty stressful and you need a fair amount of up-front cash. As well as some good tradie contacts. And with the cost of building materials going bezerk I canned that one too.

Then last year a number of forces all pointed in in one direction. And that was to set up “me” as a business. Just me. After all, I have qualifications coming out my behind thanks to a love of learning and valuing formal qualifications. I’ve hit my stride professionally and have oodles of experience in people and change. I’ve been conrtacting for years but still felt like an “employee”. So, I did it.

My last contract came to an end. I wasn’t ready. I had no clear plan. But I jumped in anyway. Not in the shallow end. I went straight to the deep end.

And mayte (said with Aussie accent)…. if I had realised just how much work was involved I’m not sure if I’d be where I am today. But I’m so happy I’m here, 6 months down the track. With many learnings under my belt and more to come. Just the way I like it.

It can take courage to take the first plunge toward change. But remember, the biggest growth happens right after the steepest drops. So strap in, keep your arms inside the vehicle at all times, and enjoy the ride towards transformation.

Let's make change about leaning into the fear and doing it anyway and about enjoying the journey towards innovation.

After all, who doesn't love a good rollercoaster?

#ChangeManagement #Leadership #GrowthMindset #BusinessTransformation