It was a really great idea…and I almost didn’t do it.
Not because upon further investigation it turned out to be a bad idea. Not because of inaction in making my idea a reality. It almost didn’t happen because I second-guessed myself.
I decided I wanted to do something special for my husband this Valentine’s Day; something memorable…an experience. I had heard from a friend about a really cool thing to do in the midst of winter in Northern Michigan – a night-time river raft trip with a guide. Voila, I thought, it would be the perfect surprise for my outdoorsy partner.
Everything came together as I made the arrangements including the weather, an almost-full moon, and both of us being able to leave work a bit early to get to the river on time for the float. We even lucked out by having the sole reservations for the night before Valentine’s Day while the next day was scheduled with numerous people and rafts. The trip was ripe for romance!
About two days before the trip I started getting nervous – would my husband really enjoy this trip, especially for Valentine’s Day? What if it was just too cold and uncomfortable? Maybe our recent rains were going to make the river too fast, too dangerous… A million reasons why this was a bad idea came to mind.
Then I realized how familiar this felt; all too often I come up with a great idea only to second-guess myself and back off from moving forward with it. I flood my brain with negative “what-if’s” and turn off my energy, excitement and momentum.
The idea for the river trip sprang, I believe, from the deeper part of me – my intuitive, inner voice. It felt so right, and seeing how easily all the arrangements fell into place I knew it was a surprise that was really meant to be. But I almost tripped myself up by listening to my fear and self-doubt, not to my authentic self.
It takes courage to follow-through with ideas that may seem unusual and out of the ordinary. It takes courage to explore something when fears, doubts or worries cloud the picture.
Yet, if an idea creates excitement, joy or intrigue, it means it’s coming from a deeper place within, and important in some way to pay attention to.
I’m pleased to say I didn’t let my second-guessing stop me in my tracks. I decided my fears were only just that…fears. I felt discomfort because I was doing something new, end of story. We ended up going on the raft trip and I’ll say it was one of the best things we’ve done in a long time…fun, calming, and very memorable. Exactly the experience I was looking for!
