The Crave

Unlocking new doors

In my mid-twenties, I decided to embark on a 6-month backpacking trip, which I funded through freelance writing jobs. I remember once being asked to take on a last-minute project with a seemingly tight deadline on a topic I knew very little about. As you probably know, writing about something you don't know anything about can be terrifying. Cue more Eminem lyrics: His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy [...] He's nervous, but on the surface, he looks calm and ready. I knew that if I began panicking about my lack of knowledge, the entire process would have been agonizing. Instead, I slowed down and began viewing my assignment as a challenge to embrace. I knew exactly where I could go to get unlimited access to the internet, and I knew that I could conduct research well. The more I kept plugging away at the task, the more I learned. The more I learned, the easier it became to say YES because I realized I can do anything I set my mind to. At one point, I was even starting to enjoy it (which is a difficult thing to do when you're writing about car specs!). Over time, I improved as a freelance writer, and as my confidence grew, the jobs kept rolling in (I wrote about everything from daily horoscopes to reviews on hypoallergenic cat food). Eventually, my 6-month trip turned into a three-year-long traveling extravaganza. My discipline and willingness to say YES rewarded me. So, as opportunities present themself to you in the near future, I challenge you to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I could say, "Seize the moment." But Eminem says it better (and admittedly cooler than I could!).