Brave and Unstoppable

Being brave can mean making big changes or taking small steps. It is an individual experience as I have learned during the  Get Your Brave On event I started in the beginning of the month, here and on facebook. I read so many profound and emotional stories many people shared with me about stepping outside of their comfort zone, even if it was scary.

We are ALL brave. Everyone of us has taken a leap of faith, an uncertain step in a different direction, have made a choice others insisted we shouldn’t. On this blog post, the final one in the Brave series, I interview an inspiring woman, a determined business strategist, Anna Long, from Electric Empire. Anna was brave when she quit her job to become an entrepreneur and now assists others on that same mighty track.

This month’s series was about finding your brave, making more out of your life by stepping out of your box and into the world with gusto and faith.

I first met Anna Long when she came into my office for a Energetic Reboot Healing. Anna is dynamic, shining her smile and light into the world.

Anna, would you please share, What is the bravest act, the scariest step you have taken thus far to step out of your own comfort zone?

The scariest thing I’ve done to step into my brave is quit my job to pursue my intuitive business strategy. I’m a sucker for “security”, so letting go of a sure thing for a not-so-sure thing was terrifying. It wasn’t like I didn’t plan and strategize for the move (I did for about 9 months), but this only made it slightly less scary.

What lead up to that decision, time, research, leap of faith, and what emotions came up for you before you did it?

Honestly I felt like ALL of those things came up for me! When I launched my first business I held a job the entire time. It was a business I didn’t want to work at full-time, so quitting my job didn’t have quite the pull. When I grew into my intuitive biz strategy role I knew of a very deep (soul) level that there was no way I could remain at my job and become a successful business owner. Holding a job no longer jived with my pursuits and values. So I mapped out an exit plan and about 9 months later left my job, got married, and traveled around Asia for 2 months with my husband. I went out with a bang!

Describe how it felt once you took your step, or leap.

Right after I quit I was offered a small contract working with that same company (making over double my previous salary). It wasn’t many hours or anything, but it did help the transition. My “joblessness” didn’t hit until I was in the middle of SE Asia. Waves of anxiety would hit at night sometimes…but then they were often followed my huge creative days where I KNEW that everything would work out.

My new life was in TOTAL alignment with my spirit (for the first time ever) and this began to shine through in my writing and I began to get more clients who felt my enthusiasm and authenticity.

As a leading edge intuitive entrepreneur, helping other women create or expand THEIR dream businesses, what advice would you give them BEFORE they take that first, perhaps scary, step into self-entrepreneurship?

This is a great question Darlene, because when I went through it…I felt like everyone had this “Quit immediately…or else!” attitude…like building a business without another job was the ONLY way to go. It’s not! How you decide to grow your business is just as unique as the business itself.

Assess what you NEED to be most creative. I’m a highly creative person and I attribute 80% of my success in business to my creativity. The thing is, if I’m freaking out about money, a doom set’s in and I can’t think creatively at all. So I knew I had to work and save as much as possible to get to the point where I could leave. On the other hand, some people operate best under a lot of pressure. If that is you, then it’s possible to save up and launch with less of a security net than what most people would need.

I personally think it’s silly NOT to start your business while you have a job. It’s the PERFECT time to build strong business foundations and test things out with a steady paycheck coming in.

Do YOU continue to take brave action even though you already have a successful, might I add, brilliant consulting business?

Ah, thanks so much Darlene! Being brave shows up on the daily. Once you get to know me I’m a dynamic goofball, but I actually struggle with being an introvert. My husband and I just moved to Mexico for the Winter and each time I open my mouth to speak my limited Spanish or smile at someone I don’t know I feel a little brave.

Each time I “put myself out there” to be judged or accepted I feel brave. Each time I publish my writing or blog posts I feel brave. To me, being brave is the act of doing something that doesn’t necessarily come naturally to you (even if only for a moment). It’s walking through unchartered territory and getting to the other side with a sigh of relief and (hopefully) a smile on your face!

You’re my business mentor, a supportive and extremely knowledgeable teacher. Do you sometimes want to hide in the sand or get discouraged? Who is someone who inspires and encourages you to keep moving forward and making brave choices in business and life?

Yes, I totally go through waves of “retreat” and discouragement. It’s normal. Entrepreneurs have ups and downs just like anyone else! I can’t say that I have one person that inspires or encourages me to keep moving forward when I hit a bump in the road…it’s more a “community” of people. I have a few great friends I turn to (some are other female entrepreneurs) and sometimes family. My husband ALWAYS has my back and is my rock whenever I start to doubt or question myself.

And whenever discouragement hits, I usually realize that I have allowed myself to mentally drift away from what matters most to me. Everyone starts their business for two reasons: 1. The life THEY want to live AND 2. The life they want their customers and clients to live. If you focus too much on one and not the other, things will get messy and there will be a disconnect. I always remind myself of this when things begin to feel out of whack.

How did an Energetic Reboot Healing with me at Insync Energy assist you on your path as a busy entrepreneur and radiant woman?

When I had my first Energetic Re-boot Healing session I was blown away by what was uncovered in my guided visualization. You could say that I literally came face to face with my self-imposed mental blocks that were holding me back financially. In a matter of 15 minutes I understood on a very deep level that my challenges were a choice…and the I had the option to choose otherwise.

Darlene’s ability to communicate with my guides was amazing. I saw where I was limiting myself and was given useful tools, places, and environments to help keep me balanced moving forward. The Reiki and chakra balancing were like a warm blanket that surrounded me for weeks after our initial session.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in our businesses…this session was a reminder that my business is a tool for a better life…not my sole purpose for living!

Thank you so much, Anna, for being brave and supporting others as they take their leaps of faith into the world! We all need role models, a strong foundation, and encouragement for when the ride is bumpy. I am thrilled that I was able to also assist you on your path when you were looking for clarity and balance.

Insync Energy was my leap of faith, helping guide people to their own inner brave heart and determined soul. If you seek guidance and healing so you can more confidently achieve your goals, visit: http://insyncenergy.com/Energetic_Reboot_3.html to see how my work can uncover your determination, motivation, and life’s passion.