You’re sitting at your desk at a job that steals your sunshine. At a job that dampens your creativity. A job you just know is not the end-all for you. I get it. You might be there for a very good reason: Your kids need to eat; you get great benefits; you’re not sure what you’d do every day if you didn’t show up to this job. But maybe there’s part of you that has an idea? Part of you that has an inkling of the direction you’d like to go?

I’ve been in this place a handful of times in my life. Right before I moved to South Africa and each time right before we started our two businesses. The hubs and I had a lot of conversations that sounded like…

“What’s the worst case scenario?”

“If this doesn’t work out, then what will we do?”

“How much longer can I keep this dream inside?”

For us, it always comes down to this: Are we living out our greatest contribution doing __________, or would we get a whole lot closer to what we’re supposed to be doing if we at the very least tried this new venture on for size?

Now, we’re not out there in the world, trying to convert everyone and anyone to be an entrepreneur. BUT, we know firsthand (two times over) the freedom and fulfillment that comes with creating something you know is right for you and your life.

Of course, there’s the HOW. The actual work. The implementation. And this is the part that scares most of us. If there’s no plan, the end result seems waaaaay less doable. But let me offer you a little bit of freedom in your thinking for just a minute. And before I do, let me share that one of my greatest strengths is Responsibility (so no careless, sloppy choices over here!).

Here’s what I want you to do: Forget about the how. Imagine your life looks like what you actually want it to look like. Imagine your work is fulfilling and you have freedom from a career that isn’t your greatest contribution.

Doesn’t that feel nice?! So much nicer than regret, right? So much nicer than the burden and heaviness of never knowing what might have been!

No matter what the outcome, following your dreams is freeing. If you choose not to jump ship just yet, do me a favor and at least try all this on for size. Give yourself the time and space to daydream. Write it all out. What are you passionate about? What is your stance? What do you believe is your greatest contribution to the world? Start doing some of these things! In the evenings, on the weekends, for friends and family. See how it makes you feel.

I don’t want to come in here and sound all pie in the sky. Sure, I’m a dreamer type. I have big ideas. And I understand I can come off a little “Come down to earth, Becky!” But I promise you all of this is reality – or it can be. It took me to Africa, where I met my husband. It made us start a photography business. And six years later, we felt so strongly about all of this, we created another business to help people do just this.

If you’re feeling skeptical, just dip your toes in the water. If you’re feeling hopeless, I come bearing boatloads of encouragement! If you’re not sure how to get from A to B, just start. That’s the hardest part. Making the move. Saying it out loud.

There is an undeniable freedom in living the life you feel called to live. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer that’s going to get you there. Just start, one step at a time.

What dreams or ideas do you have for your life that you’ve been stuffing under the rug? What can you do THIS WEEK that will help you unravel that beautiful best, even just the tiniest bit, to get you started?

xo,
Becky

Photo by Christine Chang