Leap Before You Look

Looking over these last few months of blog posts, it is easy to read my content and believe that when it came to my career and wealth building, that I had some sort of master plan.  That there was a guiding principle that I followed dutifully that laid out a path to success.  Persistence and planning are what we usually think of as the key.  The truth, however, as I contemplate my career, is that gravity and momentum have played an even larger role.  What the heck does that mean?  For the most part, I believe you should leap before you look, and go with the flow.

Although these rather clichéd phrases are well-worn in our current culture (OK..the cliche is actually look before you leap), I still find that they are principles worth discussing in personal finance and wealth creation.

Say Yes

After reading my monthly income reports, I often get comments about my bevy of side hustles.  To the average reader, it would appear that I actively seek these extracurriculars.  The truth is, however, that often they fall into my lap.  As opposed to over thinking the proposition, when it comes to new opportunities, you should usually leap before you look.

I started my art business based on the need to cheaply find high quality pieces to decorate my new townhouse.  After delving into the internet, making a few calls, and asking a little advice, I saw a business opportunity.  I didn’t resist it, I didn’t question whether it was feasible, I just leapt in.

The same can be said for many of my lazy side hustles.  When I started my career, I never planned on working in nursing homes.  One day I was working away in my office and an administrator from a local facility called and asked if I wanted to be a medical director.  I had no idea what that entailed.  But I knew that it paid me a monthly stipend and that I didn’t need extensive training.  So I took the plunge.

It all started with saying yes.

I could say the same for real estate.  Our first rental property wasn’t meant to be a rental at all.

Intention  vs Intentional

When you leap before you look, it is important to understand the role of intention.  Intention is the guiding principle.  When I started my career, my intention was not only to be the best doctor I could be, but also to build multigenerational wealth for my family.  The path I took, however, was more meandering and less per se, intentional.

I didn’t plot out a path or even do a deep dive into understanding side hustles.  Instead, I used my overall intention as my North Star and let gravity tug me in the right direction,  I can’t stress enough how passive I let the process be.  Instead of forcing my way into success, I did the exact opposite.  I stopped getting in the way and let gravity do the work for me.

But I had to be open to try.

I had to be confident enough to take the leap.  Over and over again.

Safety Net Suggested

If you are going to leap before you look, there are certain safety nets that must be in place.

You should never risk your morals, your financial well-being, or give up on following the letter of the law.  You should not endanger others. There are some leaps that are unlikely to keep defying death if taken to often.

The safety net is created by a stable financial plan, saving, investing, and building the requisite skills and confidence to be successful.  Once you have put those in place, the world is full of opportunities.  Full of chasms to be broached and challenges to be overcome.

If you are like me, you will often fall on you backside as your best intentions go up in smoke.  You may be sore for a little while.

But if you want to be truly successful, don’t be scared to get back up, and leap before you look again!

How about you?  What great opportunities have you stumbled upon.  What life changing things happen when you stop thinking so much and just take the leap.