"If you want to reach a goal, you must "see the reaching" in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal.” Zig Ziglar

                This past week I was at an event in Phoenix.  The early Sunday morning sunlight found its way streaming sublimely through the filtered window of the workout center at the hotel.  Through said filtered glass, I caught a glimpse of a grandmother and two small children headed toward the pool as I slogged my way through a four mile run after a minimal amount of sleep.

                The little girl, in a bright yellow bikini, relinquished her grandmother’s grip and took off running toward the pool.  In one simple movement she leapt in without hesitation, immersed herself and quickly surfaced with the stretched lips and clenched jaw of one who finds the water a tad overly chilly.  In an instant the little girl transferred herself from the pool to the adjacent hot tub only long enough to subdue the goose bumps before jumping right back into the unpleasantly cold pool.

                As I ran, I thought about how this particular girl was a wonderful representation of anyone who achieves success; she leapt in, found it slightly uncomfortable, reset herself and then got right back in.  In life, and in business, the same technique would prove useful. 

                Imagine how incredible your life could be if you choose to embrace the opportunities that were presented instead of analyzing every aspect of each situation.  Many people choose to ‘test the water’ first and upon finding it slightly chilly will instead either procrastinate or not go in at all.  Human nature is inherent to preservation; in other words we tend to protect ourselves from any form of discomfort.  Unfortunately most success comes on the other side of a modicum of uneasiness.

                Consider a top athlete; their physique, drive and desire to win.  Any athlete who achieves success will tell you that some workouts are painful.  Some training leaves them breathless, aching and unsettled however the repetition of discomfort eventually leads to a higher level of tolerance which then in turn allows the athlete to win, pushing past the pain.

                The success I have achieved in network marketing, or anything at all for that matter, has been about embracing the unknown, getting uncomfortable and diving in.  Personally, I do not want to take years and years to get to the next level; I want to get there yesterday and often that means getting through the unpleasantness of learning and developing myself as a leader. 

                There have been many times where being uncomfortable has made me want to run and literally get out of the pool.  Who wants to face rejection, deception, apathy and attrition?  Who wants to be criticized?  In all honesty, this is life and all of these things come with doing business, being in relationships or going for any goal.  I didn’t choose to run, I choose to face these things and stay the course and in doing so continue to achieve success in many areas of my life.

                Like the little girl, in the pool, we all have the opportunity to get out for a minute to re-set before diving right back in.  For many successful people meditation, exercise, reading personal development books or listening to audios for a few minutes is all it takes to get back in the game.  We all require a moment or two to re-set ourselves and highly successful people get right back in the fray of things because they love the action and excitement.  The little girl in the yellow bathing suit symbolizes that the most fun happens when we are the most uncomfortable; her splashing around and chasing her brother in the big pool are symbolic of how we can choose to operate.  Yes, it may be uncomfortable at first but the sooner we dive in and get going the better the results are going to be.

                I encourage you to just get in the pool.  Do not wait any longer.  Let go of procrastination and just get started.  The life of your dreams is waiting for you and the more time you take to ‘test the water’ the more elusive your goals.  Just jump in!

Susan Sly is a loving mother to her four children ages 10 months to 13 years and devoted partner to her husband Chris.  She has written five books including the highly acclaimed Have It All Woman.  Susan has a passion for liberating families, women and children all over the world.  Susan’s signature program is the Have It All Women’s Weekend.  Spaces are filling up.  To find out more click here.