R.I.S.E | Reach | The Gap

How to navigate the uncertainty between where you are now and where you want to be

(Read Time 8 min)

Imagine walking up to a pitch black tunnel on a dark and stormy night. You have now found yourself standing at a mid point, unsure of which direction to go.

Behind you lies the path of familiarity, the one you've always known. But it's a path that leads to a life of mediocrity and dissatisfaction.

In front of you lies a black tunnel, a new path. The only thing you know is that on the other side of this tunnel everything you could have every dreamed of and asked for is waiting.

But this forward path through the tunnel is shrouded in uncertainty, darkness and unknown terrors.

You stand there, frozen, contemplating your decision.

You know that you can't stay at this point forever, but the thought of venturing into the unknown is terrifying. You try to shake off the feeling of dread that's creeping up on you, but it's too late. The darkness has consumed you and you can feel the weight of uncertainty bearing down on you.

But you know, the right direction is forward not backward, so you take a step forward on this new path.

As you take a step forward, the ground beneath you begins to shake. The wind howls and the rain pelts you in the face. You can barely see a few feet in front of you, but you know that you must keep going. You can't let fear hold you back.

Suddenly, you hear a voice in your head, whispering, "Turn back, it's not worth it. The path ahead is too dangerous, too uncertain." You try to ignore it but the voice becomes louder and more insistent. "You'll never make it. You'll fail."

You're now at the point of giving up and turn back, but a spark of determination ignites within you. You remind yourself that you deserve to live a fulfilling life, and you can't let fear stop you from achieving your dreams. So, you keep going, one step at a time, even though the path is treacherous, and the storm rages on.

As you keep moving forward, the storm begins to subside. The rain stops and the wind dies down. The path ahead becomes clearer and you can see the light at the end of the path. You've made it through the uncertainty and the unknown, and you realize that it was all worth it.

You made the choice to navigate through The Gap between where you are right now and where you want to be, and the journey was full of uncertainty, doubts, but also determination and courage. You realize that it's the uncertainty that makes it all worth it, the uncertainty is what makes the journey exciting and fulfilling.

This story serves as a reminder that the path to achieving your dreams and a new version of you is not always easy, but it's worth it to keep going, even when the uncertainty, fear, and discomfort threaten to consume you.

Let's dive in to The Gap.

What is The Gap?

You 1.0 and You 2.0, what lies between the two versions of you and the lives that they live is called The Gap.

The Gap is the period of time, a season, which you navigate through from your currently reality to your desired outcome.

The Gap is also Chaos.

An incredible definition for Chaos from a physics perspective is, "Chaos is the formless matter supposed to have existed before the creation of the universe."

Your formless matter has began to take shape as you crafted a vision for You 2.0 and their life. The formless matter begins to take shape more and more as you navigate through The Gap.

But it never take shape if you never walk through The Gap.

What lies in The Gap?

What lies in this Gap is Chaos, unknown, uncertainty, and failure.

You must welcome Chaos with open arms.

As you navigate further and further into The Gap the more you meet with uncertainty, unknown, and failure.

Eventually you'll come to a threshold. You will be presented with a difficult choice to keep going forward or turn back.

If you choose to move forward and push through the threshold, you'll begin to experience momentum. You'll begin to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel.

The Gap will present you with test after test. Life will always, always test you, give you a choice, and continually teach you the lessons you must learn in order to become the greater version of you.

It's like one big giant ultra real life video game. The key is to keep showing up, and keep going forward.

Stepping Into The Gap

Now, You know what to expect as you navigate through The Gap.

There are multiple forces that will attempt to hold you back as soon as you take a step forward into The Gap.

You'll meet old beliefs, old habits, and old friends head on along this journey.

Old beliefs - these are the programmed lies in your mind that keep you in your psychological box.

Old habits - these are the daily actions that keep your life limited and comfortable.

Old friends - these are the friends who are like crabs in a bucket. They will do and say what they can in order to pull you back down, to get you to turn around and walk back towards comfort.

All of these forces are some of the greatest negotiators and will present incredible arguments as to why your should turn back and retreat. Be prepared to fight back.

These forces are the walls that you are chained to and keep you attached to the same life you are suffocating in.

But you hold they key to the chains and the power to break down walls. It's time to unlock yourself from your illusion of comfort, go after the life you desire, and navigate The Gap successfully.

How to handle The Gap

You must accept that there will be storms and challenges as you begin this journey. The storms and challenges are guaranteed. Accept that. Welcome that. Be grateful for them as they build you into who you must become.

The chaos in the first part of the journey through the gap will seem like life is falling apart. Fear not, life is removing was is not for you and making space for what is for you. All this change seems like chaos. Keep going.

The fear, the unknown, the uncertainty and the failure will come every single day. Fear not, for these are more tests and lies that try to get you to turn around and retreat. Trust what is for you will come. Keep going.

Know that when you are challenged, it is just a test you must pass. Keep going.

The thresholds are a beautiful tests. Life has presented you with the most challenging circumstance. A challenge that makes perfect sense for you to turn around and quit, if you allow it. It as a test of, How bad do you want it? Keep going.

Through these storms and challenges, you will need to learn how to release and let go. In order to go up you must give up. This comes in all forms. Release and let go of the negative forces that are old beliefs, old habits, old friends. These are the most difficult to change because we as humans like love comfort and ease.

Let go of old beliefs and old habits by slowing down and observing your thought life from all angles. What are my limiting thoughts? What are my limiting beliefs? What habits do I lie to myself about that keep me limited? Write them down, then change them into positives.

Reprogram yourself from the top down. This is the most difficult challenge but the most necessary challenge. You got this. Keep going.

Let go of some old friends. This new version of you doesn't fit their version of you in their mind and they won't like your change. When really what you are doing is exactly what they want to do but haven't found the courages to do so. You have. Keep going.

Set positive intentions. When you created You 2.0 and got a vision for the next phase of your life you did this. Hold these in your mind as you WHY. Use it. Keep going.

Detach from the outcomes. Because You 2.0 won't be perfect nor will your new desired life. Progress forward is more powerful than waiting for perfection.

Move into The Gap with LOVE. Love yourself, love others, love the challenges, love the failure, love the change and life will continually pull your through The Gap in a beautiful journey. Keep going.

The only thing you must do now as you take a step into and navigate through this gap is relentless continued forward action.

You must travel 1% forward every single day. Use your eyes to look back and learn, but keep your legs and your heart moving forward.

Take the step into The Gap.

You got this.

Keep going.