Leap Beyond Limits by Simply Starting Today

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Janet ran a small digital agency in Austin, juggling proposals, client calls, and team meetings. She hungered for bigger projects but never dared pitch to Fortune 500s—it felt out of reach. One afternoon, she stumbled on an article about a local energy giant searching for a new web-platform vendor. Most local shops ignored the chance—too big, too formal, too scary. But Janet remembered a key lesson: “The universe rewards action.”

She quickly wrote a two-sentence email and hit send, feeling equal parts excitement and dread. Within an hour, the procurement team responded, asking for a 15-minute Skype call. The call went well—not perfect, but well. Within a week, they teased a shortlist appearance, and the following month, Janet found herself touring their HQ. Though she didn’t win that round, she made the shortlist for a second energy firm—then a third. That first bold step lit a chain reaction that tripled her agency’s annual revenues.

Action is a signal both to your brain’s RAS and to the world that you are ready. By defining a small risk, acting quickly, and capturing feedback, Janet engineered a growth surge she’d only ever imagined.

Imagine that one thing you’ve been “shoulding” on yourself—pitching a bigger client, emailing a speaker request, enrolling in that advanced course. Pick the smallest bold step that cycles from this fear to action. Schedule it for tomorrow—no exceptions. Do it. Jot down the result, even if it diverges from your plan. This single leap, repeated with fresh insights, will build unstoppable momentum for your next big jump. Plan it tonight—then just do it in the morning.

What You'll Achieve

You will overcome procrastination by committing to immediate, small risks with tight deadlines, sparking rapid progress and confidence. Externally, you’ll generate new opportunities, referrals, and breakthrough projects.

Take Your First Brave Step

1

Pick one small risk

Choose a low-stakes action—cold-call a potential mentor, send a proposal, or pitch an idea at work. Identifying the smallest scary step makes the first move less daunting.

2

Set a sharp deadline

Give yourself no more than 24 hours to take that risk. A ticking clock cuts doubt by removing endless “planning” that often leads to inaction.

3

Log your progress

Keep a running note of what happened after you took that risk—reactions, surprises, lessons learned. These micro-wins build momentum for your next leap.

Reflection Questions

  • What’s the simplest action I’ve avoided that could yield a breakthrough?
  • How will setting a 24-hour deadline force me to act?
  • What did I learn from the outcome of my first leap?

Personalization Tips

  • A graphic designer picks a local café to pitch her rebranded social-media aesthetic to the owner—and lands her first freelance client.
  • A developer unsure of public speaking commits to a 2-minute lightning talk at the office meetup and wins applause.
  • A GA graduate schedules a coffee chat with an alumnus who landed their dream role, sparking a new referral opportunity.
The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
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The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Jack Canfield 2004
Insight 7 of 7

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