Have You Stepped Out of Your Box? I Did And Survived!
When I was approaching 40 years old, I started to change. It was sudden like with a lot of people - a major medical situation that caused me to stop and make a decision that caused me to think differently. I was having a great life, but I always have fun because my motto is basically that "you get back what you put out", and I want fun and happiness. In 2005, when my husband was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, had surgery and fully recovered, he decided that he wanted to run a 5k race (3.1 miles) 2 months later. Now, you must know that I was the most non athletic person in the world. I never participated in any organized sports in my life. But, if he was going to do it, I would too. I found a 2 month training plan on the internet and set out to run. 2 months later I was running non-stop right through the finish line. The only problem was that I didn't realize that I was being timed -- and the results in my age group were posted on the internet for all to see. The fact that it was called a race didn’t immediately register. So, over ten 5ks later, I quickened my pace, and was glad that I took on that challenge and became a "runner". This got me thinking. What else could I be doing that I otherwise wouldn't dream I could do? How could I step outside my safety net of a box and survive?
So, I didn't stop there, oh no. I admit that I don't have any creative talents. Really. And I'm okay with that. One of my friends, a fellow agent in the office who is also an actor, said to me one day out of the blue, "I'm auditioning for a play Stacey, and there is a part that you should audition for." Who me, an actress? Was he serious? He was. So, he gave me the script for the audition. My audition. As I "practiced", I still couldn't believe that I was actually going through with this. After my audition, the director told me that I was a natural. I'll bet he says that to everyone, but I was on cloud nine anyway. There were about 5 of us auditioning for that part, and I was called back for a second reading! While I didn't get the part, I couldn't have been happier. Not only because I actually got the nerve to audition, but the director saw something in ME - enough to call me back to read for him again. That was all I needed. I could have been an actress! I won't be auditioning again, though I loved my experience and it was perfect just as it was. Thanks Greg!
Another stretch - I couldn’t stop looking for the next challenge. This time it was career related. Since I've had my real estate license for years, getting it before my degree at age 21, I've been thinking about what I would do for my next career should I decide to do something different. All I know is real estate. I'd always thought that I would love to be a corporate trainer. So, I auditioned for an international seminar training company. They hired me! I got to teach people in 13 states and 50+ cities over a 6 month period before I realized that it wasn't going to be the retirement career that I thought it might be. I still look back at the fact that I actually did that successfully. I stood in front of hundreds of people for 6 hours a day teaching them, among other things - communication skills. Me! To this day, I still don't believe that I actually did that.
Knowing that I've also, and most recently, conquered my need to learn more about social media and how to use it for business (including blogging), I want to perfect this one. I decided in 2009 to go to the National Association of REALTORS convention alone and just focus and absorb. Each of the days, I went to class after class offering anything social media, or technology related. Then, coming home taking webinars, sitting in classes where I could find then and joining a local social media meetup group, I am immersed and still learning every day. I am proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks after all.
What a great life I am choosing to live! I will never be bored. Are you challenging yourself to live your fullest life? Is there something that you've always wanted to do? I jumped in and purposely picked my challenges. I’ve pushed myself beyond what I thought I could ever do. What will you do to step outside your box?
What about me? What's next for Stacey the Adventurer? Dance classes and singing lessons. How I wish that I could dance and sing for a living. The fun, the travel, the lifestyle…I don't have a drop of talent with either of these creative endeavors – yet I want to do them. Why, you ask? Just because.
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