Has someone ever shared an idea with you and you thought, “I didn’t even know that was an option?” But then you thought about it some more and you realized, “That could actually work?”

It’s so fun when that happens. It’s like a whole new world of possibility opens up. Suddenly you go from not knowing how to solve a problem to which option should you choose.

But that only happens when you are around people who are not like you.

• People with different life experience.
• Someone who has already been through the challenges you are facing and survived.
• A person who is also a high achiever but took a different path.

And someone who is not at your company!

In 2012 I quit my job at the hedge fund (where I had been for over 8 years) and bought a one-way-ticket to India.

That in and of itself was a “different” experience, to say the least. But one day I found myself literally walking through shit up to my knees and that’s when everything i thought I knew about life suddenly turned upside down.

Sorry for the grim picture but it’s a good story. Stay with me.  

I lived at an ashram in Rishikesh. One day, my friend and I decided to travel to “The Beatles ashram” as it was called. But while we were there touring the abandoned meditation huts, the rain started pouring down. We had no choice but to leave.  

We started walking back to the ashram through the unpaved streets. There is literally water up to our knees. And then it occurred to me. Wait a second…

In Rishikesh cows are sacred. And normally the streets are covered in cow poop. So now that water is up to my knees, I am literally walking through shit!  

Seriously??? It was insanely disgusting but somehow I didn’t care. All I cared about was getting back to the ashram safe and taking a shower (I couldn’t write “nice warm shower” because there was no hot water. And I couldn’t stay “refreshing” because it was really just a bucket of water that I had to pour over my head. But it was a shower and I did have soap!)

After I made it back and cleaned myself up as best I could, I remember just sitting there. Stunned. But also certain. In fact, things had never felt clearer.  

I suddenly saw a whole range of options before me.  

I knew deep down in my bones that if I could walk through shit up to my knees, I could literally get through anything. And I also knew it was time to get to work!

I returned back to San Francisco a changed woman.  

• I was powerful AND grounded. 
• I was right where I was supposed to AND I knew I was meant for more.  
• I made more powerful and faster decisions. 
• I said no to things that weren’t important.  
• I asked for what I needed.  

And I got all of this because I shifted my perspective.

Lucky for you, you don’t have to travel to India to get this outside perspective. In fact, you get it right now with just one phone call.

• I don’t know your specific company, but I know business.
• I don’t know your particular story, but I know countless similar ones.
• I don’t know your exact path, but I know a path that works.

And I can’t wait to give you some perspective!

All the best, Stacy

Ps. Creating your personal Board of Directors is the second step in my Leadership Leap 1-on-1 coaching program. You will surround yourself by mentors, sponsors and a network of people to not only give you an outside perspective but show you what’s possible. You’ll walk away knowing exactly where you are going and how to get there. Plus the offers will start coming to you because everyone around you will be working toward your big goal. Sound to good to be true? I assure you, it is not.  Click here to get started.