“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Hellen Keller

The ability to let go is a key trait of successful entrepreneurs. I first learnt that lesson from my mentor Eric Wagner, serial U.S. entrepreneur and author on Forbes. Insist on controlling too much and you risk your company’s need to change. Because sometimes in business you need to let go of an employee, let go of an unproductive habit, let go of a business strategy that doesn’t work and simply dive into the unknown. And that’s exactly what I did.

 

I’ll always remember the day when I hopped on a plane knowing there’s only way out. And that was by diving into the blue skies from 10,000 feet.

 

Just picture this. You are high up in the sky, wearing your jumpsuit and goggles when the plane’s door opens. All you can hear is the wind. And in that fraction of a moment, when you have a quick glimpse of the blue horizon, your heart skips a beat. “Okay this is actually happening”, I remember telling myself. So here I was, getting ready to make the most of the experience that comes my way. And trying hard not to look down.

It’s very much like starting a business from scratch. You need the strength and the courage to jump into the unknown. You need the power to let go and the ability to stay positive while being focused on your goal. In my case, I knew I wanted to land on the ground safe and sound.

 

I could see the first few skydivers leaving the aircraft, one by one. Now it was my turn to jump into the abyss, with my instructor right behind me. We approached the exit. While he was still sitting on the edge of the plane, I was already out there. Dangling in the air, wind in my face, feet under the aircraft, I was waiting for the usual 3-2-1 count down. Next thing I knew he let go.

 

I was free falling and enjoying every single moment along the way. But I wasn’t alone in my journey. Just like in business – the first steps into the unknown have to be accompanied by someone who’s been there and done that. An experienced mentor can get you from where you are to where you want to be. I wouldn’t want to imagine not having someone opening up the parachute for me!

 

And it’s all about enjoying the journey and living life to the full – in business and in life. Because sometimes entrepreneurs feel like they’re not making enough progress and dwell in the past “Oh, all the things I could’ve done…”. Or other times they worry too much about the future. But in reality – all we have is the present moment. The past is gone. The future is yet to be created. And it’s not too late to start creating it now.

 

During my descent, all I could think of was the present moment. I felt on top of the world and shouting with joy. I never felt freer. And for that timeless sensation in itself, when you empty your mind of any thoughts and focus on the now, the experience is truly worth it. Because in the end – life is nothing but a daring adventure, made up of present moments.

 

Was falling off a planeat a speed of 200miles/hour a risk? Yes indeed. I signed a waiver saying that I’m aware of the risk of dying or getting injured as a result of this experience. But what’s life without risk? The risky decisions I made in the past – from starting a business to skydiving – brought me where I am today.

 

And you and I both know that certainty is an ideal. Seriously – there are no guarantees in life. All you can have is an illusion of certainty. So you might as well embrace the big question mark that lies ahead of you. Take risks. Embrace uncertainty. Live the moment. And simply let go.