“We have an inner thermostat that determines the amount of love and success we allow ourselves. When we exceed our setting, we tend to sabotage ourselves so that we can return to the old, familiar zone where we feel secure. The thermostat was set before you could think for yourself, usually in early childhood.” ~ Gay Hendricks, The Big Leap
Since Leap Day proposals is an extra day this year, think of it as a gift, the perfect day to take a moment, take a breath and decide where in your life you want to leave the status quo, where you want to take giant leaps!
I’ve been thinking about Leap Year for several months now, about how I want to take huge leaps in all areas of my life. Leap Year only comes once every four years, but the beautiful thing is that you can live in your own Leap Life, every day of your life.
Simply put, Leap Year was established to help the calendar year catch up with the solar year. But what if we thought of creating a Leap Life, not in terms of trying to play catch up with your daily tasks, but rather in terms of focusing on playing bold and taking risks in a way that takes you to the next level?
What would that look like for you?
Make a list; let’s call it a Leap Life List. Now, this List is different than any other kind of list you might create. It’s different from your bucket list, which includes everything you want to do before you kick the bucket; or a list of intentions or set of goals, which is full of items you intend to do within a certain timeframe; or a daily to-do list which usually makes you feel like you’re trying to just keep up.
No, your Leap Life List quickens your pulse. Each and every entry on your Leap Life List creates a sense of excitement, a rush of adrenaline and an explosion in your heart. These leaps can change your life! I’m not talking about danger, but rather those things that you’ve always wanted to do that create an immediate fear factor. What scares you but makes you also smile or even laugh to your core when you think of you in that situation?
Set aside your rational strategic thinker when making this list. There’s a time and place for that too. But, this is all about being bold, moving beyond what Gay Hendricks calls in his book The Big Leap, your “Upper-Limits.” We all have them. When fear creeps in and you stop yourself from moving forward, you’ve hit your Upper-Limit. The Leap Year List is all about going beyond your own limits.
Extreme athletes, high-risk takers, successful entrepreneurs all live within their Leap Life because they allow their adrenaline to rule and they give themselves permission to push their limits. The adrenaline and risk evolve into exhilaration and joy. It’s their way of life, the only way.
Think about all areas of your life:
Career – think huge, dream big. What makes your heart pound and sing at the same time?
Health – how can you stretch yourself physically and emotionally?
Relationships – what can you give that’s beyond your current wildest dreams? To the point that pushes you beyond discomfort?
Spirit – think beyond conventional. What can you do to thrive at a higher vibration?
So, use your extra 24 hours this year to create the Leap Life you want to live!
