Note No. #12 // The Power of Putting Yourself Out There
Embrace opportunities, take risks, and blaze new trails.
Good morning, and happy Saturday!
I'm writing this week from Columbia Falls, Montana, just outside Glacier National Park. When my friends asked if I wanted to join a wild road trip hitting both Glacier and Banff—two places on my bucket list—I didn't hesitate. I jumped at the opportunity.
This willingness to leap into the unknown is how I've managed to check off so many goals before turning 30. Sometimes, you just need to put yourself out there and go.
Jumping Into the Unknown
When I first started traveling, I had no idea what I was getting into. I committed to four months of exploring Europe and South Africa with 30 strangers. On the first night in Spain, I accidentally knocked out the power in our little apartment. There I was, in the dark, with no data, no Wi-Fi, and no clue what to do next.
But I figured it out. The next day, I knocked on my neighbors' door—two people from my group—and asked for help. That night turned into six years of travel. I've made tons of mistakes along the way, but I jumped in, put myself out there, and did the thing.
Putting Yourself Out There
Ever since I started to travel, I wanted to share the places I went, experiences, and things that I learned along the way. But I was always afraid to put my stories out there. It's taken a lot of courage to get to the point of starting this Substack, but I finally hit a point where I said I just need to start, post once, before I'm ready. Jump in head first and figure it out along the way.
This journey of starting to share my stories mirrors my approach to travel. It's about taking that first step, even when you're not entirely sure where it will lead. It's about trusting that you'll figure things out as you go, and understanding that the most rewarding experiences often come from those moments when we push ourselves out of our comfort zones.
Why Putting Yourself Out There Matters
Putting yourself out there is about more than just travel or starting a Substack. It's a mindset that can transform every aspect of your life:
Embrace Opportunities: When you're open to new experiences, you'll be surprised by the doors that open.
Learn as You Go: Sometimes, you can't wait until everything feels right or times out perfectly. Jump in and learn along the way.
Discover Hidden Strengths: Challenging situations reveal capabilities you never knew you had.
Expand Your Comfort Zone: Each time you take a risk, your comfort zone grows a little bigger.
Create Memorable Stories: The best stories come from moments when you dared to try something new.
Getting Started
If you're hesitant about putting yourself out there, remember:
Start Small: You don't have to begin with a four-month international trip. Start with small challenges in your daily life.
Embrace Discomfort: Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Embrace the uncomfortableness—it's a sign you're growing.
Learn to Love Mistakes: Don't let fear of failure hold you back. Mistakes are valuable learning experiences.
Say Yes More Often: When opportunities arise, try saying "yes" more than "no."
Trust Your Instincts: While it's good to be cautious, learn to trust your gut feeling about new experiences.
Remember, some of life's most rewarding experiences come from moments when we dare to put ourselves out there. Whether it's traveling to a new place, trying a new hobby, or sharing your stories with the world – you just need to take that first step.
Have a great week!
Becca
Where I Find Inspiration:
Collection of random stuff that inspired me this month:
As promised last week, recommended from you (and add to my booklist!):
[Book] From my Mom: I'm not sure where I saw this book or who recommended it, but it's a quick read that is making me look at life from a different perspective. Truly, there are no guarantees, and I have done so much with my life so far that maybe slowing down, not working as hard, and not pushing so much, would be a good change.
Living Life in Fast Forward: What Cancer Taught Me About Making Time Count by James J. Hammond
A Question for you:
What’s one area you’ve been wanting to jump into but haven’t yet? How can you take a small step this week to put yourself out there and see what happens?
I’d love to hear about it! Share your answer with me using the hashtag #WhereverNotes or drop a comment—let’s inspire each other!
