Hey there, finding yourself in transition? Got a decision looming over you - big or small? How many times have you had to make a move - in life or at work - and everyone's telling you: "Just make the next right move, no need to have it all figured out."
I've heard that advice a bunch, and honestly, it used to be my go-to mantra when things got overwhelming. But lately, I've been thinking... What's the real message here? Because focusing on the next "right" move still feels like pressure to have it all sorted.
Let's be real - you're never going to nail it every time. Thinking that every step has to be spot-on is just setting yourself up for stress. And let's face it, that stress often keeps us stuck, unable to make any moves at all.
Take me, for example - here I am, on this podcast, talking about making the "next right move." But guess what? I didn't have a master plan when I started. I didn't have it all mapped out for success. Nope, I took a leap of faith, made a move, and now, here we are, sharing this journey together. Honestly, I thought maybe 10 people would tune in - mostly family. But whoa, was I wrong. Hundreds of you are here, investing in yourselves, and I'm seriously grateful to be on this wild ride with you.
So instead of obsessing over finding the "right" move, how about a shift in perspective? What if we saw every decision, every step forward as just that - a step forward? No need to stress about whether it's "right" or "wrong." What matters is whether it feels right for where you are at this moment.
When you let go of the pressure to be perfect, you start to see the beauty in each decision. Big or small, they're all building blocks of your life, creating something unique and beautiful.
Life's not about having all the answers; it's about embracing the unknown, taking risks, and trusting yourself to navigate whatever comes your way. It's about recognizing that sometimes, the best lessons come from the mistakes we make and the challenges we face along the way.
And guess what? You're not alone in this. We're all figuring it out as we go, making mistakes, learning, and growing. So let's give ourselves permission to be imperfect, to stumble, to take detours, because that's where the magic happens. I love when people ask me for advice on starting a business… my response is - I have no freaking clue how to do it. For real… I don't. And yet, here I am… running my own business.
You've heard me say this before - That’s the Big Lie… that's because, in almost every topic we discuss here… there is a big fat lie underneath that we need to name.
You see… when we look at everyone around us, we're left with the impression that they've got their shit together - that they've got it all figure out. But - that's the big lie. Ain't nobody got it figure out. Most of us - even the ones that look like they've stumbled on something great… we're as lost as you. When I stand in front of a crowd of hundreds of people speaking… it sounds like I've got it all sorted… but I'm clear… these ideas I'm sharing are just that… ideas. They are the world according to Leah… right now. That's all. I do not have some top secret manual with all of life's answers in it that I'm pulling from. Nope… just over here trying to get my kids to wear hard pants every once in awhile and to eat a vegetable alongside that plate of chips.
Because none of us has it figured out… we don't know how to "do" life perfectly. And, when you stop worrying about being "right" all the time, you free yourself to explore, to experiment, to discover what truly lights you up. And that's where you'll find your greatest successes - in the messy, unpredictable moments.
And here's the magic that happens when you do that… the freedom that you find overwhelming your life - permeates even further. You'll find that the people around you are inspired to step more fully into the messiness of their lives… and you get to be in community of messiness together.
I have to share - I grew up in a beautiful home filled with love and acceptance. And, the most amazing - do it all mom. I mean… this mom was the one who ran her own business AND baked cookies for after school AND had a fresh loaf of bread rising in the pantry most weekends. For real.
And - when people came to visit - they were welcomed in the most amazing way… they were loved and cared for - the menu of appetizers or snacks or meals or beverages was carefully curated to ensure they knew they were thought of and considered. It is a beautiful aspiration.
But that's just it… it's an aspiration. Because, ladies… let me tell you the truth. I have woefully fallen short of that aspiration - on all accounts. I cannot make bread to save my life, I only bake cookies that come out of a tube, and despite the invention of Pinterest… I rarely curate menus in a fashion that would make anyone proud. More often - if you invite me to a party or come to my house… you will get a bag of tortilla chips and the most delicious salsa I could find at the market.
And - when I began just naming it - telling our friends that we love coming to their homes and we will gladly be the family that brings the chips… you know what happened? Our friends said "amazing! WE love that!" And you know what else happened… our friends also started showing up with cookies from the grocery store, and pre-made pasta salad, and store-bought pulled pork. It was a beautiful invitation to let go of the expectations and just focus on what's important… our time together. People know - when they come to our home - we don't care if they bring something from the store, something homemade or nothing at all… when I let go of my own expectations for myself… it gave those around me permission to let go of their expectations as well.
Now - a quick side note… of course we still have special events/occasions where we put a ton of effort into home made goodies and treats. Of course we do… often actually. And, I love when I'm able to create a curated experience for our guests… that brings me joy. But… it's not my everyday. Those are the special moments… the once in a whiles.
So the next time you're faced with a decision, big or small, remember this: it's okay not to have it all figured out. It's okay to make mistakes and stumble along the way. What matters most is that you keep moving forward, one step at a time, with courage and conviction.
You do not need to have the next "right" move - you actually don't need to have the "right" anything.
Because in the end, it's not about finding the perfect path, but rather about having the courage to walk your own journey, wherever it may lead - whether you prefer to make homemade salsa or grab a jar at the gas station… it's YOUR journey.
So go ahead, take that next step, and trust that you're exactly where you're meant to be.
And hey, if you're feeling lost or unsure, just remember: you're not alone. We're all in this together, figuring it out as we go. So let's embrace the uncertainty, celebrate the journey, and keep moving forward, one step at a time.
Until next time - keep leading with courage and confidence and remember you deserve to be unleashed.