Leaving a successful career after two decades isn’t a decision to be made lightly. It’s not something you decide overnight. It requires real reflection and planning. You must be certain that you are prepared to stomach the roller coaster you are about to get on. Starting my own business might be the scariest thing I’ve ever done. That’s saying a lot coming from someone who has jumped out of a plane! Heck, I learned to swim so I wouldn’t die in a triathlon and I’ve given birth without any medication, but this, this was really scary.

Starting your own business isn’t scary like a man chasing you with a knife scary.. it’s more like wondering if your punky brother is going to jump out from behind the door and yell “boo!” when you enter the room. Now, months into the madness, I’ve gained some perspective on the process that might help anyone else considering the same journey.

When I jumped out of a plane I believed the equipment would work. I knew I had been properly trained. There were seasoned jumpers taking the leap with me that could intervene if I got in trouble. When I decided to help others navigate the media landscape, the equipment I had been using for years in a TV newsroom was suddenly different in the corporate world. I knew my writing and video skills couldn’t be beat, but even so, what if something went wrong? Where were the experienced people to handle my crisis? It was all me! No crisis team to lean on.

What would I say when people asked me why I would want to leave a career that had brought me so much joy and praise? It was a dizzying thought.

Fortunately, there are moments when the loud voices shouting ‘you don’t know how’ or ‘you can’t do that’ become eerily still. In my experience, that defining moment doesn’t last long. One wrong thought can stir up all the craziness again.

Doubt can destroy a perfectly good plan. Faith can fortify it.

What I’ve learned is that sometimes you just have to sit quietly in the chaos that is my mind. Oh, wait, I mean your mind. Oh please tell me you have chaos too??!

Ok, back to my point. Sometimes, you just have to have faith. And THAT is what makes the whole process so scary.

You’ve probably seen the saying… Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase. It’s actually taking the next step… and the next step.. and the next step.

There are 5 suggestions I have for anyone starting their own business: 

Have Faith: If you don’t believe in your business, why should anyone else believe in you?

Ask Questions: People are generally helpful. Asking questions isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. You’ll be surprised at how many people will give you honest answers.

Ask for Help. That’s a hard one for many people, myself at the top of the list. Get out of your comfort zone. Don’t let ego get in your way of fulfilling your dreams.

You can teach an old dog new tricks. I feel more creative now than I have in years! I am learning again and teaching again.

Shut up and listen. Not only to the people who may know more than you, but to your gut.

I am so glad I love roller coasters.