Go ahead, miss the boat

I recently missed the boat on something I was interested in. I hesitated too long and the opportunity filled up.

There was a class I wanted to take this Saturday and it was in my calendar to register for over a week.

When I finally went to click register, I was met with “Enrollment closed.”

I missed the boat and I felt this sense of sadness and disappointment that I hadn’t acted earlier.

This is a good thing.

Because I now know, in a felt way, that this class was actually really important to me. Next time, I will register right away. I won’t miss the boat again. Missing the boat gave me clarity.

My reaction may not have been one of disappointment. If I had felt neutral about it, I would have learned that this thing really doesn’t matter to me that much right now. Not a big deal. In this case, missing the boat still gave me clarity.

So go ahead, miss the boat.

But don’t do it forever.

We can take for granted that opportunities we are interested in will always be there …. next time … next time … next year …

But then, a health scare pops up and the opportunity is now out of the question. Or you lose your job and the opportunity to take on that stretch project is gone. Or the grant you were going to apply for “next time” is cut by the government. Or the promotion you were going to request is offered to someone else who has been voicing their interest.

So go ahead. Miss the boat. You will get good information. Pay attention to it.

However if you keep missing the boat, this does not feel good.

And if I had to guess, you don’t want to miss the boat on the things you most care about, especially when what’s getting in your way, is you (your own fear, doubt, insecurity).

We can work with this resistance. It doesn’t have to hold you back forever.

Is this easy work?

Usually not. It will invite you out of your comfort zone.

Is it worthwhile work?

Yes. Imagine living with an expanded comfort zone …

Can you handle it?

Yes. You wouldn’t want it if you couldn’t handle it.

If you’ve been hesitating on something for a while, here’s your invitation to miss-out (again) or to finally step toward it. I promise you there is relief in action. And even more relief when the action honors what you care about most.

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