Ziplining & Entrepreneurship

by | Sep 1, 2023 | Entrepreneurship | 0 comments

Would you get onto a cable that’s 375 feet in the air?

A few months before I left my corporate job, I went ziplining with the girl scout troop that I lead.  Watching these girls, who ranged in age from 10 to 15, climb several stories up, get clipped onto a single cable, and fly through the air to the next platform was a great experience. We all came away with great memories. (Well, most of us. Remind me to tell you about our courageous kid who got stuck and had to be cut down.)

I really thought the experience would be some life changing event – that I’d take away knowledge about myself that I never understood before.  But, The only thing I got was a tummy ache and weak knees from the adrenaline rush. I was not initially impressed.

“It’s not my cup of tea” I thought as we discussed coming back again. Most of the girls felt the same. It was fun, but wasn’t something they’d want to do again. My expectations really set this up. So many people love to do things like Ziplining and Sky diving that I figured there must be a spiritual experience to the act. I was, admittedly, disappointed when my experience did not feel spiritual.

Entrepreneurship is an adrenaline rush

Since stepping into the world of Entreprenuership many things in my life have changed. I have reflected on that event many times. When you make a decision to go full time into entrepreneurship and leave a stable job with a stable income it’s like standing at the top of a ziplining platform. 

When I made the decision I vividly remember all of the emotions of that day with our troop coming back. There are many feelings of excitement and fear. Despite knowing the information and having the tools and information to get onto the “zipline” safely. Even though I knew I would be safe, each drop onto the zip line gave me a pit in my stomach. Bundles of uncertainty and of fear knotted up in my stomach. Wondering if the line would snap, or my harness would unsnap. 

I have the experience, the knowledge, and the confidence in my abilities as a mental health coach. Still, I worry about being without the security of a corporation to keep me afloat. Jumping into entrepreneurship is scary. The truth is that those of us that take this step know that we are capable of landing safely. We may forget it sometimes but, we know.

It gets better, sort of…

My experience has shifted though and it’s gotten better – or maybe different? I liken entrepreneurship more to cliff jumping now that I’m in a different place. For months after I left the corporate world, I felt as if i was standing at the edge of a cliff. Looking out at the horizon, my backpack filled with a well packed parachutte, a snack, and the know how… Anxious to jump but with a glass wall preventing me from doing so. I convinced myself that if I could just break through the wall, I would “make it.”

After a few frustrating months, I felt more like I was flying. Like I was gliding through the air. Soon I realized that I wasn’t waiting to break through, but to land. This crazy ride is only just now getting started after 10 months. I’m finally feeling the grass touch my feet.

It’s scary at first

The first few times I was on the zipline I remember knowing what to do and how to do it but my nerves made it so that I didn’t know what to focus on. I was so nervous about stopping in time, and how everything “should be” that I couldn’t enjoy it. And it’s kind of like starting or scaling a business… You might know what to do, but there’s so much to do that we find it hard to focus.  

My last time on the line (my 6th run) I was finally able to enjoy the sights, relax and allow myself to just “be.” The feeling right before leaving the platform was the same each time and as I continue through this business, I know I will make mistakes, because there isn’t such thing as perfect, but I’m finally able to enjoy what I’m doing. I feel the support and the safety of having a place that can help me with anything I need.

If you want some of that same kind of support, join us! www.perspectiveshifters.com/lifebalance

Want to know more about my experience in entrepreneurship?

Book a call with me. www.stephaniekunkel.com/booking

About Stephanie Kunkel
Stephanie Kunkel is a published author, who is passionate about personal development, compassionate leadership, and making big changes that truly make things better for everyone. She's got a masters degree in leadership and management and is a Certified Mental Health First Aider.

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Stephanie Kunkel

Stephanie Kunkel is a published author, who is passionate about personal development, compassionate leadership, and making big changes that truly make things better for everyone. She's got a masters degree in leadership and management and is a Certified Mental Health First Aider.