“I can’t
do it! I’m sorry, I just can’t do it.”
Those
words flew out of my mouth as I stood 630 feet above the sprawling concrete
jungle of Auckland. What the, pardon my French, did I just get myself into?
I was standing
on the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, strapped into a harness,
toes on the ledge, looking out at the beautiful bay, and being told to JUMP! You
can imagine my hesitation but perhaps not the meltdown that ensued, which is
all too conveniently captured on video.
It was a
great idea to begin with.
Why not
jump from the SkyTower? It was only 192 metres in 11 seconds. I got that. Oh
wait, you mean that’s really 630 feet? EEK, I’m not feeling so sure about this
anymore.
Here’s
the thing about great ideas, they sound sane until it’s time to execute. That’s
when you uncover all of the excuses that will prevent you from growth.
So I’m
standing on the edge, having a fear induced breakdown and ready to walk away
when the jump therapist (not sure of his official title), asks if I’d rather
jump backwards. Hmmm, now there’s an idea.
So I pull
myself together, psych up my psyche and position myself to not face the
impending doom.
“1-2-3-JUMP!”
And I did. And I screamed. And I ooed. And I aahed. And eleven seconds later I
softly fell onto the land pad target.
AUCK-MAZE-LAND-ING!
As I
collected my thoughts from the landing pad, I scolded myself for being
hesitant, for having doubt, fear, and anxiety. So when the young guy who helped
to unhook me asked if I wanted to go again (free of charge this time) of course
I jumped at the chance.
Interesting
Note: Sky Tower used their employees or patrons as advertising. If people
weren’t jumping, there was no attention being drawn to their business. Seeing
people use their product (jumping off the tower) was the best was to develop
interest and draw new people to their doors. Take Note: How are you showcasing
your product or business? How are you gaining new prospects attention through
demonstration?
So here I
went again. Up the 54 floors in the elevator, out to the ledge, all ready to
jump facing forward this time.
“1-2-3-JUMP!”
I didn’t.
“OK
Stephanie, Let’s try this again. 1-2-3-JUMP!” I couldn’t.
“One more
time, you have to let go. OK? 1-2-3-JUMP” I wouldn’t.
“Can I go
backwards?” I asked sheepishly as the self-disappointment washed over me.
“Sure.”
I turned
around, got set, “1-2-3-JUMP!” I went flying.
The
thrill and wonder of the experience subsided as I landed and again I was
frustrated with my inability to jump face forward. Why was going backwards
so much easier?
That’s
when the AHA of the whole experience hit me. When I was facing backwards, I
didn’t have to let go and jump. Instead, I was more or less pushed off by the
jump assistant. I didn’t jump. I wouldn’t jump. I couldn’t let go (control-freak).
But I was fine with being pushed, being shoved into a free-fall where once I
was in it, I was able to master it.
All I
needed was someone to push me. Twice.
Who is
pushing you?
Who is
throwing you off the ledge?
Who is
catapulting you into the future you are meant to have?
Who is
pushing you even when you are facing something you’ve already conquered?
Fear is
idea-crippling, experience-crushing, and success-stalling. Fear is
the biggest self-inflicted inhibitor you will face. Fear is to be pushed,
pushed real good, pushed all the way out until you free fall into your dreams.
I’m your Double-Tall, Non-Fat,
No-Whip Sales Barista. How may I help you help yourself?
