I’ve made it a habit to do something everyday that scares me, even if it’s something small. I’ve found that doing this helps make the really big scary stuff look less big and less scary.

This has proved true for many of my clients as well. Here’s an example:

Meet Paul, a 36 year-old man in a job that he worked hard to get. Paul spent years in school gaining the right skills and in internships meeting the right people. He found the perfect “starter” job at the ideal company and put in lots of long, hard hours to make it up the ladder to his “dream” job.

Now he’s arrived, he’s successful, the money is great, the benefits are amazing, and he’s well respected in his industry. It’s all working out exactly how he planned; except for one thing…he’s miserable. All his energy, time, and creativity for many years had been focused on achieving his “dream” job. Now he’s made it and it doesn’t feel like he thought it would. Instead, it feels hollow, meaningless, and exhausting.

He doesn’t know what to do next, but he knows he has to do something because it’s started to affect his family life and his health. He feels drained and tired all the time and never really feels like doing much of anything. He knows he’s got more to give the world, but he’s afraid to let go of his “dream” and move on.

But now he’s fed up and ready to take action! He starts by doing little things every day that scare him;

• He starts talking to his wife about how he’s feeling about his career path and asks for support,
• He takes an honest look at his health and begins to make changes in his eating and exercise habits,
• He evaluates his current job and really looks at what fits him and what doesn’t,
• He makes time for himself in order to reconnect with who he really is at his core and to let go of the idea of who he’s supposed to be.

Over time, Paul is able to better understand the choices that led him to an unfulfilling career and make more informed decisions about how to move forward toward something more in line with his values and passions. By taking small steps consistently over time, doing things that seem scary and overwhelming, and being committed to the process of transition; Paul is able to make powerful changes in his life that positively affect everyone that loves him and virtually everyone he meets.

What can you do today that scares you?

This past weekend I attended the Colorado State Chapter Convention of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization). It was an empowering experience and I met a lot of amazing women who are changing the lives of women all over the world.

P.E.O., one of the pioneer societies for women, was founded on January 21, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Today, P.E.O. has grown from that tiny membership of seven to almost a quarter of a million members in chapters in the United States and Canada. The P.E.O. Sisterhood is passionate about its mission: promoting educational opportunities for women.

The impact this organization has had in the lives of women since 1907 is profound. P.E.O. loans and scholarships totaling well over $199 million have been provided to over 83,000 women.  AND they own a two-year women’s college, Cottey College.

As I have been processing the depth of information I received over the course of the convention, I am struck by a few “universal” thoughts that I want to share with you.

• The seven founding women of P.E.O. followed through on a dream and thus have had profound and lasting impact in the lives of thousands of women all over the world.

[Don’t be afraid to dream big! Who knows where it will take you if you just put it into action?]

• It takes a lot of courage for a large organization steeped in tradition to make bold changes in order to adapt to the changing needs of women today.

[Change and adaptability show great strength and can be done while still showing respect and gratitude for that which has come before.]

• The strength and community that comes with sharing ideas and challenges with peers is tremendous.

[Don’t be afraid to ask for help and be willing to share your experience with others so you can lift each other up.]

• The balance of formality and fun builds a strong foundation from which great things can be accomplished.

[Balance and moderation are key ingredients for true success.]

How can you apply these concepts in your daily life, career, or business?