It’s so easy to put off things that don’t yield an immediate reward or will even make things worse for a period of time. My front shrubs have gotten alarmingly huge. They were already large when we moved in. I’ve tried to keep up with the overgrowth but they are monstrous in height and width. 

 

We’ve known what needed to happen for two years at least, but we couldn't seem to make ourselves do it. They need to be severely pruned back to the point that they are going to be look horrendous for a few months—embarrassingly terrible, provided they survive. 

 

We couldn’t put them off any longer, however, as we had received a letter from the homeowners association gently asking us to trim the shrubs. That’s pretty embarrassing too. 

 

Even so, it was hard to pull the trigger and call a professional to come tackle these in a way that won’t kill them. He’s coming today and I’m quite nervous about it. I am anticipating the yard shame I’m going to feel. All the neighbors will get together and talk about us and say, “What were they thinking?” 

 

Of course I know that my shrubs are not that important to the whole neighborhood. (They are important to the HOA board apparently!) But even if they were, I can’t live my life based on what other people think. This is something that has to be done, despite the worsening of our curb appeal for a little while.

 

Have you ever put off making a career change because you would have to take (or at least start with) a big pay cut? But you would be in better circumstances and perhaps, more in line with the desires of your heart? 

 

I graduated from college and continued to work in commissioned fragrance sales in a department store for a year after earning my marketing degree. All of the entry-level sales jobs offered a base salary that was half what I was making. I couldn't wait to get out of retail, but I didn’t know how good I would be in outside sales and if I could make enough commission to make ends meet. I kept hoping I would find something great, with no risk. 

 

After sending out a gazillion resumes and always hearing, “Sorry, you need previous experience,” or “Yes, we’ll give you a shot” (but the pay was terrible), I finally took a chance.

 

In the first year, I barely broke even financially, but I loved my job. I loved the freedom. I loved the challenge. I loved my boss and my coworkers. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and each year was better than the last. That particular job determined the course of my sales career and even trained me for what I do now. 

 

In 2001, I took another big leap. When 9/11 happened, I woke up from my workaholic haze and realized my five-year-old son was growing up before my eyes. I had precious little time with him every day. During the time I did have with him, I was often distracted by work-related things.

 

Despite a great pharmaceutical job and recruiters calling weekly with intriguing offers, I did what some would say was career suicide. At the end of 2001, I put in my resignation notice and began 2002 as a stay-at-home mom. Our household income was cut in half and I didn’t have a clue how I was going to spend all my time.

 

My husband and friends said I wouldn't last three months. But I knew I had peace about the decision and that it would make a positive impact on my son. Life changed and that season ended after two years, but not without loads of great memories with my son. 

 

Looking back, I’ve made plenty of mistakes too, but I don’t have any regrets. Every decision I’ve ever made has brought me to where I am today. 

 

We can’t really mess up. Everything works for our good eventually, if not immediately. That belief fuels my ability to take the next calculated risk.

 

So today, I’ll let the landscaping guy cut these shrubs down to size. The neighbors can talk if they must. In about three months, and certainly by next summer, our front yard is going to look fabulous. 

 

What have you been putting off out of fear or doubt, or just from knowing you won’t see an immediate reward? Or perhaps it’s because you know things could get worse before they get better? 

 

Take the leap! Weigh the risk. Calculate the plan. Keep the end in mind, even if it means no short-term gain or even some initial loss. If it makes sense and feels right, just do it, trusting there will ultimately be more positives than any known or potential negatives. I’m betting there will also be some un-calculated gifts thrown in to delight you. 

 

Everything worth having involves risk and faith. Here’s wishing you both, plus a big dose of courage to make needed changes, start a new path, end an old one ... whatever you need to do.
 

 ————————————————————