We are all taught, in one way or another, to play it safe.

Work hard. Stay on the path. Do what's expected.

And yet, buried under that surface, many of us feel it — the quiet pull toward something more—the uncomfortable but undeniable urge to leap.

The leap doesn't always look like jumping out of a plane, but it feels the same: thrilling, terrifying, and alive.

If we want to unlock our full potential, we have to become comfortable with discomfort. We have to become familiar with fear—not as something to eliminate but as something to walk through.

Here's how to start:

1. Realize That Fear Is Normal — and Not a Stop Sign

Fear is not evidence that you're on the wrong path.

It's often a signal that you're standing at the edge of something important.

The mistake many of us make is thinking we need to eliminate fear before taking action. But the truth is this:

Confidence isn't a requirement. It's the result.

Every meaningful leap — from changing careers to starting a business to chasing a dream — begins with fear at your side. Courage is the act of going forward anyway.

2. Expand Your Definition of Success

Many of us are conditioned to believe that success looks a certain way: a steady job, a steady paycheck, a specific title, a particular house.

But the people who truly thrive are the ones who dare to ask more profound questions:

• What do I want?
• What kind of life feels alive to me?
• What am I willing to risk for a life that fits my soul?

Thinking bigger is not just a moment of inspiration—it's a skill. We cultivate it by exposing ourselves to new ideas, seeking out role models who have forged their own paths, and being willing to dream beyond the familiar.

3. Pursue "Type 2 Fun"

In the world of outdoor adventure, there's a concept called Type 2 Fun—the kind of experience that's grueling while you're in it but deeply rewarding after you're done.

Writing a book. Training for a marathon. Building a business from scratch.

These aren't always "fun" at the moment. These efforts require grit, patience, and resilience.

But the joy on the other side — the pride of doing something challenging and meaningful — is unmatched.

If you're only chasing the "easy" fun, you might miss out on the deepest fulfillment life offers.

4. Build Skills, Systems, and Support

Facing fear isn't just about gutting it out. It's about building a real strategy for resilience.

• Skills: Learn how to regulate your mind and body under stress. Techniques like deep breathing, mindset shifts, and self-reflection are not optional but essential.
• Systems: When you're under pressure, eliminate unnecessary decisions and create routines and habits that support you through hard times.
• Support: Surround yourself with people who believe in you—not just when you succeed but also when you stumble and doubt yourself.

You're not meant to do hard things alone. You need a team — even if that team is one or two trusted people who remind you who you are when you forget.

5. Honor Growth Over Comfort

Every significant transformation demands that you leave something familiar behind. It might be an old identity, a comfortable but unfulfilling career, or a version of yourself that played small. Letting go is hard, and it feels vulnerable. But growth only happens when we step out of the safe zone and into the unknown.

It's not about abandoning everything you've built but aligning your life more closely with your deepest values and desires.

In the end, the real question isn't, "Will I feel fear?"

The real question is, "Will I move forward anyway?"

Final Thought

The leap you need to take might not involve a parachute.

It might look like a conversation you've been avoiding, a business idea you keep pushing aside, or a truth you've been afraid to admit to yourself.

Whatever it is, know this:

Fear is part of the deal.

Doubt is part of the deal.

Discomfort is part of the deal.

But so is growth. So is joy. So is the life you were meant to live.

All you have to do… is leap.