I’m not exaggerating a jot when I say that the decision to quit my banking job at Lloyds was one of the toughest, most excruciating decisions I’ve ever made.

During the summer of 2019, I’d walk to work each day to try to give myself a bit of space to think.

But instead of my head clearing, my mind kept swirling with indecision.  

At times I even caught myself talking out loud, trying to figure a way out of what seemed like an impossible situation.

When I look back, what I realised is this:

It wasn’t the decision itself which was so tough. Everything in me already knew it was the right time to quit.

Instead, it was acting on that decision and pushing through all my fears.

Fears like not knowing what was next.  Not knowing if I had what it took to make a success of myself outside of banking.  Of waving goodbye to the network, knowledge and reputation I’d built up over 13 years. And the fear of how other people would view my decision.

Searching for a way to overcome all these fears was exhausting.

When it comes to moments like this – moments where we know deep down the right path to take, yet we still can’t take it – there are two ways to go:

The first is deciding the fear is too much to deal with, not taking action and settling into a path you know isn’t the right one.

The second is deciding you have zero interest in learning to live with the fact that things aren’t quite going as you wish, shamelessly & unapologetically striving for more, and having the courage to stay with that fear and eventually push through it.

I’m certainly not judging anyone who decides that their fear is too overwhelming to face and who settles for what they’ve got instead.

But to those who choose to face their fear head on, I say this:

I’m in your corner.  And you don’t need to settle.

By the way (and in case anyone thinks otherwise) - I'm not trying to make a point about quitting or not quitting your job.  I'm only using my old job as an example.  

What I'm saying is this:

Whatever your situation and whatever you fear, on the other side of that fear is a life which is so authentic, so meaningful and so peaceful that I have zero hesitation in telling anyone who wants to listen to keep going.

Once you learn how to navigate your fear, it turns from a rock-solid, immovable object into a mirage which you’ll look back at over your shoulder, shake your head at and wonder “why on earth did that have such a hold over me?”

Learning how to overcome this fear is where my coaching comes in.

I won’t be telling you to pull your socks up or to tap into whatever reserves of willpower, grit and determination you’ve still got left.

All I’ll be asking for is an open mind.  That’s enough to overcome whatever fear you’re facing.

Perhaps this sounds too good to be true.  

But I daresay your willpower, grit and determination will be second-nature to you.  They’re the way most people try to push through their fear.

Whereas a mind which is open and unattached may not be.

Nevertheless, if you’re able to suspend your scepticism, you’ll start to see an entirely new world opening up.

And a way to relate to your fear so that, rather than overcome it or push through it, it disappears in a puff of smoke.

Mosey on over here to find out more:

https://waitinglist.followingfulfilment.com

 - Tom