What I find so incredible about this man, whose name is Espen Fadnes, are the motions and emotions he shares, both verbally and physically--excitement, fear, honesty and preparation. The image of him standing on the edge of the cliff working through the routine of the flight he is about to take literally takes me to the edge of my seat. What he says makes him real to me. "People who've seen me about to fly off a cliff say I look perfectly calm. It's the complete opposite. I'm terrified. I've just developed techniques and methods to cope with the fear."
This man is about to jump off of a cliff and perform a feat he has probably done hundreds of times, and he is talking about using techniques to overcome fear. At some point this feat was a goal for him. How many of us have fears about reaching our goals? I do. I've read many books about business and success on my journey. One common theme is to focus on achieving your goal. That is one of those ideologies that can be easier said than done.
It is easy to sit at a table with a nice cup of coffee and plan out some sort of life plan for success. "In a perfect world I will do this, and they will do that, and then I will do this." The work comes when we try to put that plan into effect. Other factors don't always cooperate. But the solution is not to simply stop dreaming or planning. Let's look at how Fadnes works a dream into a reality. There are some lessons to be learned.
First he works up the plan. He maps out the location and terrain, and then figures the most natural route. Notice when he maps out the route it is the path of least resistance. That is how our plans for success should be, too. He doesn't try to gain elevation to overtake a ledge. He doesn't try to smash through a mountain. He maneuvers his body to work around it. One turn after another. A concert of choices leading to a path of least resistance. He has conceived his route to success.
Next he gathers the proper equipment. This may seem like an obvious step but how obvious is it in our own lives? Once we have a plan how well do we gather the right equipment to accomplish this plan? To facilitate our path of least resistance? I will leave this open-ended intentionally because it is YOUR plan and you need to find the tools to navigate the route that's best worked for you.
As he prepares to step off the cliff he goes through the routine again. This is a calculated approach to his success. Look at his body language. He is so fully focused on reaching his goal that he literally walks through the flight plan, moving his body in the motions he has planned out. He is visualizing the route to success, every step. The plan is set and he is committed to following it. There are no last minute changes he's making on the edge of the cliff. He believes mightily in his plan now so he rehearses it and lives it in his mind. Can we see ourselves living the plan we've developed? It's rather difficult to focus this intently on a plan we are only half committed to. If we can't see ourselves reaching the goal we are not ready to be standing on the edge of the cliff. Period.
And then, the jump. Fadnes says himself that he is "terrified" but he musters the courage to step off. This is a real man, like you and me, completely aware of the consequences of failure, but confident in the plan he has developed, the equipment he's gathered, and the movements he's calculated. He hasn't overcome fear with suppositions. He's overcome it with knowledge, planning, commitment and faith. These characteristics will allow him to achieve his goal. When we are at this point to leap off are we just as committed? More importantly, are we as enthusiastic about our commitment? He steps off hard! Once we reach this point in our lives, we should be so fully committed to our cause that we leap with determination as well. The goal is down there, through the path of least resistance, waiting for us now.
I know it can be terrifying to step off the cliff we see in front of us. I feel it often. I feel myself about to step off, looking down at my ravine (failure) and hoping that the plan I've developed works out. There are times I have to admit that I may not be ready. My belief should far outweigh my doubt. The "leap" is setting into motion a plan we've developed for our own success, however we define that word. Starting a business. Changing an attitude. Changing jobs. These are major life-changing events which, in order to become viable successes, require the steps above. Today, practice this with some very minor goal. Something small. It takes practice to become comfortable. But it is doable. The choice is ours to reach our goals. No one else's. Go make your dream your reality.
"Whatever the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." ~ W. Clement Stone
