My big leap from mediocrity into my passions has been simple but not easy at all: I was recently let go from a high-paying corporate banking job, left with an evaporated company stock fund and meager rainy day savings. Before exiting this job, I had already decided to pursue my dream of becoming a life coach. As a life coach, I wanted to support others in making their own big leap from mediocrity into magnificence. My past included two other entrepreneurial stints: One in the ’90s as a partner in a high-tech start-up; then another in 2003 as an interfaith minister. These ventures were both successful for me, even though I didn’t get rich or famous. Instead I created prosperity on my own terms: being and doing what I love, having a fabulous support network, and structuring my “ideal” day and week. Being an interfaith minister and pioneering a new church was the closest to nirvana that I’d yet found. Unfortunately, the financial prosperity to feed myself and keep the lights on was not forthcoming!

So, the siren call of a large, steady paycheck lured me back one more time to a large Northwest bank. Not that I haven’t enjoyed my work in corporate America: I got to work for very successful companies with smart, driven, inspiring groups and colleagues. Yet, the massive layoffs that I and others underwent this past year, coupled with the current economic recession, made me realize that nothing “steady and secure” really remains in corporate America. So rather than leap back to my comfort zone of doing the work I’ve always done, I chose to focus on creating my own dream career.

The entrepreneurial bug has penetrated me so deeply now that I’m absolutely committed to being my own boss forever; to never again return to an average, mediocre work-life. I’ve finally created my ideal week; one that blends and balances work, play, and self-care. I have intentionally chosen to coach only those individuals, who, like myself, are truly ready to stop playing small and to start living large. My clients are highly self-motivated, driven, talented and courageous enough to shift fully into their passions & possibilities. After my client sessions, I feel energized, uplifted and confident that I’m making a difference in their lives, so they can make an even greater difference in the world.

As part of my passions & possibilities journey, I have begun interviewing hundreds of individuals who are already fully pursuing their dreams – “passioneers,” as I call them. In 35 minutes, I capture powerful stories of souls who are simply and boldly going for it, full out. My intention is to share these tales, told in each interviewee’s unique, colorful way, with those who are ready to make their own big leap (“pre-passioneers”). These stories will also inspire those who have already made the leap, but are feeling discouraged or disillusioned.

Note: These are not “rags to riches” stories. Instead, they describe everyday Johns and Janes who have finally decided to take charge and live large. My hope is that their lessons and insights will help my clients and others avoid major pitfalls or landmines along their entrepreneurial travels. It’s also a great way for passioneers to bootstrap others who are just a few steps behind them, in the vein of the movie Pay It Forward. So far, the wisdom emerging from the interviews is precious, and I’ll share nuggets of it in this blog and beyond.

Guidepost #1 (for those making the leap): Stick with it regardless of the trials. You can do it and be it!

Special request: Consider the most passionate people in your life, including yourself, who are following their dreams and experiencing prosperity fully on their own terms. Invite them to share their story via a 35-minute telephone interview with me, and send me their contact information for scheduling purposes. I’m also inviting interviewees to be guests on my internet blog radio show later in January. “There’s gold in them there hills!” Help us find it. Thank you.

Day 1 and very outside of my comfort zone as I make this first step into Blog-dom!  I’m committed to being an inspirational,  loving, and supportive presence for individuals and groups who want to take the next BIG step into their dreams.  Simple, just not easy.  It’s about commitment and passion.  Goethe reminds us ( in this fuller version of his famous quote):

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

An invitation for each of us to ask ourselves: “Where can I step out more boldy, in faith & passion, into my dreams”?  And in this first step, and all others to follow, we can know that we are supported by Providence (or whatever we call our higher power).