 This article is dedicated to Margo Paul...she will know why. :) I once said to a childhood friend of over 22 years, "Leap and the net appears". I also say this to myself at least once a month. It's this quote alone that keeps me moving forward even when I think I can't. Owning a business as a single woman is hard. Thankfully the rewards are many or it wouldn't be worth it. Life is hard at times and decisions on life can be the pits. Sometimes you know that things aren't quite right, but you don't know how to go about changing them. This is where I've been for almost 7 years now.
Perhaps this is too much information on my personal life for some of you, but I want my clients to know that we all struggle with a variety of issues in our lives. For some it's disorganization, tardiness, feeling depressed, feeling defeated and confused, feeling like you need a change, but don't know how to get started or knowing there is more out there, but not knowing where to go next. Whatever it is, what's the worst that could happen if....? You fill in the blank. After I discovered this quote, I realized how true it is! No matter what we do, what leap we take, there will be a net to catch us. I can pretty much guarantee that we won't know anything about the net, but I can promise you that it will be strong enough to support your fall into a new adventure. As I mentioned above, I've been pretty unhappy with my living situation for the last 7 years and really had no idea how deeply it affected me. I knew something wasn't right, but felt trapped by the constraints of new mortgage rules combined with self employment status (those of you that have purchased a home prior to 2005 and then again recently know what loops I'm talking about) and the fear of starting over somewhere new. I loved my house and it did feel like home to me, but hated the location and the fact that I seemed to miss all sorts of opportunities because of the distance from everything. And then I remembered that I turn 35 this year and this was not the way I wanted to approach the big ol' 4-0. Life is too short and there's that damn net just hanging out waiting for me to drop. I visited a home that was beyond my price range and I knew better, but something kept telling me to just go look. A gut feeling I suppose; we should trust those. After about 5 minutes in the house I KNEW it was for me. Luckily, I could see past the flowered wallpaper, overgrown landscaping, and dated rooms (sellers had declined my staging services offered by their realtor). I could see and feel the potential for a new life for myself. This big old net had a few holes, but I decided to risk the fall and fortunately for me, I missed each one. I took a risk and made an offer I could afford that I thought for sure would be refused. I figured I had nothing to lose and they could only say 'no'. They didn't. :) It hasn't even been a month in the new place yet, but I've already experienced more fun in this short time than I have in many years. The feeling of peace and calm is there every time I enter. Everything was put into it's proper place the first day. Life is easier when you know where to find what you need, when you need it. It allows me to live a more leisurely life (when I choose to) and really take advantage of things I want to be doing, rather than feeling I need to be doing. I took a leap of faith that was filled with fear and can tell you that it has changed my life for the better. Ask yourself what's the worst thing that can happen if you decide to take a leap. And if you need someone to jump with you, call me.
 | | Jessica Dolan Taking A Major Leap |
I want to give a HUGE shout out to... - Steven Bodner (Remax)
- Kris Hanahan (Gambone & Songer)
- Ford McNutt (Professional Choice Mortgage)
- Heather and Mark Bodenshatz (former home owners)
..for making my leap a most enjoyable one! I owe you one! | 
