risk, teaching, yoga

Step 313: No More Waiting

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain

The anticipation of beginning is always more frightening than actually taking the plunge. At the edge of the cliff, we hesitate. We look back and see all that we have to lose by moving forward. Even if what we have isn’t exactly what we want, it’s comfortable. So long as our dreams live “out there”, in our mind’s eye, they remain perfectly intact. No disappointment. No embarrassment. No potential admission of failure.

There are few things that make me cringe more than the possibility of regret. I’ve been putting off the effort I’d like to put into Compass Yoga because of the risk. “I have to wait to get space,” I tell myself, but the truth is that I’ve been scared to go for it. My biggest fear: what If I offer weekly classes and no one shows up? What if I can’t break even? Or worse, what if people come to the class and they hate it? These are the nagging fears that have kept me making only incremental progress in my yoga teaching.

On Sunday morning, as I was enjoying my extra hour in bed thanks to the end of Daylight Savings, I woke up with such a clear idea of what to do. I couldn’t think of a single good reason to continue waiting. It’s time for me to throw caution and fear to the wind, rent a space for a weekly class, and get going on the marketing of it. I’m going for it. Starting in January, I’ll be giving a weekly class for $10 / person, donating 20% of the class fees to charities selected by the students, giving them the tax deduction. I get to teach a weekly class, students get affordable yoga, and the world gets a little brighter with the donations made to nonprofits that the students care about.

Bye bye, safe harbor. Weekly class details to follow in the coming weeks. I hope you’ll join me.

12 thoughts on “Step 313: No More Waiting”

  1. Christa,
    Love this quote and your thoughts today! I’ve so been thinking along these lines the last several months- about the things I want to try but am holding myself back from doing.

    Good luck! Would totally be there is I was in NYC!

    Kelly

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  2. Christa,

    Long time, no see, na?

    Glad to know you are making progress, despite the fear.

    In good time, things will happen. I feel happy for you.

    More clients will sign up and pretty soon you’ll have a rip-roaring business.

    It is just a matter of time. Best wishes to you, as always.

    Cheers to your life.

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    1. Archan! You’re back. I’ve missed your insightful and valuable comments. Glad to see your name again. Let’s hope my business will be as successful as you predict – and thanks, as always, for your encouragement!

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