Are you feeling that you want to make a bigger impact in the world? Is this the year you want to PLAY BIG?
It was mid-August 2010. I had launched my on-line coaching business 18 months before and had a network of coaches in Canada and the US. We were coaching people through various life transitions. I felt restless. I enjoyed the clients I worked with and the business was doing okay, but I felt like I wanted to make a bigger difference in the world. Can you relate?
At that time, I was taking a Body-Centred Coaching Program with Marlena Field (http://www.bodymindspiritcoaching.com/). During the last class I volunteered to do the demo with the instructor. It was a decision-making process that involved using your body to make decisions. I was told to find a line on the floor and to stand in front of it. I found a carpet in my office and stood as instructed. Marlena asked me to think about something that I really wanted and to deeply feel it in my body. She then said “notice any fears or doubts that come up for you when you think about that desire. Imagine that the fears and doubts are rocks in a knapsack on your back and let them all fall to the ground; release them. Think about what you want and cross that line on the floor as you choose. You may walk across it, run across it or leap across it. As you cross the line say aloud what you want. “
I recall leaping across the line and yelling “I want to PLAY BIG!” At that moment, I had no idea what PLAYING BIG meant. Within two weeks I received an email asking if I was interested in one of three positions in a new program the Canadian International Development agency was funding to support the Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan. One of the positions had my name written all over it; Technical Advisor, Strategic Planning and Performance Measurement. I recall thinking how about 5 years before I had so wanted to have the opportunity to work in Afghanistan and to help women in that country.
After some reflection, I realized that I wanted to put my name forward for the position. I shared this with my partner Alan who was totally supportive. He encouraged me to go for it. Within two weeks I was being interviewed for the position. In mid-October I was on the ground in Kabul on a 9 month contract to assist the Ministry of Public Health to develop their first strategic plan and to build the capacity of internal teams to do strategic and operational planning. For me this was truly PLAYING BIG!
Has something similar happened to you? Do you want to PLAY BIG but aren’t sure what that means? I encourage you to try the tool above and see what happens. I’d love to hear your experiences! Feel free to share and comment.
P.S. The line on the floor I leapt across was an Afghan prayer mat that had been gifted to me a number of years before!
Playing small never serves us. I can just see you Pamela jumping across that line and with authority yelling, “I want to PLAY BIG!” even though you didn’t know what that “Big Something” would show up as. When we boldly choose what we want and trust what show up, it’s magical!
You are so right Debra! Playing small never serves us. It truly is magical when we boldly choose what we want and show up. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
How wonderful, Pamela! I have a Canadian friend who held a similar post in Afghanistan. I wonder if you know her–Catherine A.? I love you playing big and I love playing big WITH you. I’m struck with how many times I have had to step forward (or leap or jump or fly) without knowing anything about what was next. The great unknown.
Hi Laurie, Thanks for your warm words of support. I can’t say I know Catherine A. Congratulations on your courage for often leaping into the great unknown. Keep leaping 🙂
I love the making decisions with your body exercise! Marlena’s work resonates with me too. Congratulations on jumping over the line! XO
Hi Shann, Thanks for your sharing your experience and for your kind words of support. Indeed Marlena’s work is powerful!
One of the aspects of this post that make it so powerful for me is that you didn’t know what it meant when you said, “I want to play big!” You just knew you wanted “something” and you were open enough to accept it when it arrived for consideration. That’s a great insight and I’m grateful (and truly inspired) by your story! 🙂
Thank you Sheila for your kind words. I’m happy that my story inspired you. In encourage you to try the tool and let me know your experience.
Throughout the course of my life I have taken many “leaps of faith” and had no regrets. And now I’m doing it again! Pam, I applaud you because as we know life is short, so live the life you have imagined!!!
Hi Marcey,
Thanks for your kind words of support and for sharing your experience. Yes, it is a bit scary to take “leaps of faith” and yet they always work out for the best. … Good luck on your next leap!
Excellent article. Keep posting such kind of info on your site. Im really impressed by it.
Hi, Happy you’re finding the articles of interest. Thanks for positive feedback 🙂 Pam