We’ve all been there.
Staring at the edge of a decision, toes curled over the ledge of change, heart pounding with the weight of what if. Whether it’s switching careers, starting a business, leading a new initiative, or even speaking up in a crowded room—there’s a moment of fear before every leap.
And it’s in that moment that Eric Partaker’s words hit like a truth bomb: when it feels scary to jump, that is exactly when you jump.
Not when it’s safe. Not when it’s comfortable. Not when all the lights are green. But when it’s scary.
Because that fear? That’s not a stop sign—it’s a compass.
Fear as a Signal, Not a Wall
We often mistake fear for a red flag. In reality, fear is often a signal that we’re brushing up against the edge of our potential. It’s the body’s way of saying, “You’re about to step into something that matters.”
When you feel fear about something that isn’t life-threatening—like giving a talk, submitting your work, or saying yes to a leadership role—it usually means that there’s growth on the other side.
And if we don’t jump?
We stay stuck. Comfortable, maybe. But also limited.
The Loop of Familiarity
Life has a way of creating loops. Same job. Same doubts. Same missed opportunities. Same reasons for not starting.
Breaking that loop means breaking the pattern. And that means doing the one thing that feels most uncomfortable: leaping.
You might not land perfectly. You might tumble. But each jump teaches you something new—about yourself, about your resilience, about what’s possible.
And slowly, fear loses its power. Not because it disappears, but because you’ve learned it’s not the enemy.
The Magic of the First Jump
The first time you say yes in the face of fear, something shifts. You realize the ground doesn’t give way. In fact, it often rises to meet you.
The project you thought you weren’t ready for? You figure it out.
The new role you feared you’d fail in? You grow into it.
The conversation you were dreading? It clears the air.
Each leap builds a new layer of self-trust. And that’s where transformation begins.
Fear will never vanish. And that’s okay. If anything, it means you’re aiming high enough.
So next time you feel that flutter in your stomach, that doubt in your mind, that “Am I ready?” voice whispering—
Remember: the jump is the breakthrough.
Staying in the same place might feel safe, but growth? Purpose? Impact?
They live on the other side of the leap.
What’s Your Jump?
What leap have you been hesitating to make? Career change? Creative project? Leadership role? Write it down. Sit with it. Then, when the time comes…
Jump.
Kenrick Vaz 