You can live a safe, predictable life, or you can live a wild, chaotic, unpredictable life. The former provides you with a sense of safety, and the latter a sense of excitement.
Living your life on the line that separates these two extremes is what I call “living life on your edge.”
One secret for living life on your edge is to do something in your life that scares or intimidates you.
It’s a wonderful way to grow and challenge yourself.
When I was 20 years old, I was intimidated by the consulting industry and the case interview — BUT I did do it anyway. (I’m so glad that I did!)
This month I joined the Girl Scouts and volunteered to be a meeting leader for my youngest daughter’s troop (the parents take turns leading each meeting).
I am TERRIFIED — but I’m doing it anyway.
I’m sure I will figure it out, as I usually do (though not always within the time frame I prefer). But, not knowing in advance what I will do or how I will figure it out makes me nervous.
(I ended up reaching out to my network and they’ve been very helpful.)
Here’s my question of the day:
What are you vigorously pursuing in your life that intimidates you?
Share your thoughts with me below.
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96 thoughts on “Living Life on Your Edge”
I joined an 8-week improv course. I was really intimated for the first two classes with the thought that I might say something that might be not funny or off-putting. I’m more on the introvert side and that thought was quite disturbing. But it turned out I wasn’t quite bad and I learnt quite a few things. Just, after the second class, I’m excited for the third one!
Dhruv,
I had a similar experience with impov. Enjoy!
-Victor
1. Becoming a life coach and public speaking
2. Breaking the Million $ line in 12 months
Hi Victor,
Thank you for your work, I find it very inspiring.
To answer the question, what I am currently persueing that scares me is to become a Professor at a Belgium University. I just sent the cover letter. I have been once an assistant lecturer, but I did it in Portugal, the country where I am from. 6 years have passed, and now I am living in Belgium, so the situation is quite different. I feel thrilled, but also frightened.
Let me thank you once again for your time and concern. I regularly follow you via your emails.
Manuel
Hi Victor, I have been working in the academia ever since I graduated and it scares me to go out and work in an industry setting as I am not sure if I can cope up with the culture change. Any thoughts? Thanks
Amit,
I think your concern is legitimate. you might not be able to cope. But then again, you might. I don’t know the answer and nor do you.
It sounds like your “edge” is in there somewhere.
There’s only one way to find out… to take action.
-Victor
I am hoping to complete a triathlon by the end of the year but I’ve injured my lower back and cannot train regularly because of my consulting gig
Job interviews.
I am writing a master thesis in a form of scientific article, and what intimidates me is a fact that i cant find a common language/enough help from my supervisor.
Victor!
At 47, I am studying for Level 3 of the CFA exam while working FT with two kids. Also active in Boy Scouts and church missions committee.
After getting a job offer from Global Strategy Group KPMG (thanks to your book) I’m waiting for the start of my work and thinking about getting an MBA.
Now I’m vigorously intimidated by the idea of passing GMAT exam, because my analytical skill is not stellar.
June 2016 CFA Level I exam for the first time despite two critical challenges; time and finance.