Back in February, an old friend and former work colleague called me about a job opportunity at her current employer. The call came after one of those work days we all have had: a rough day full of difficult news resulting in my particular susceptibility to just such a call.
"The good news: the job is based in New York. The bad news: You have to report to me," she said with a snicker.
Believe me, neither of those points were bad news. I am a huge fan of this friend, and wouldn't think twice about working for her.
But, move to New York?
I have lived in Atlanta for over 9 years. Currently in my late thirties, I had come to believe Atlanta was where I was going to really settle down and "put down some roots." In fact, my roots were already pretty deep into this Georgia clay. I have some amazing friends, a terrific network of people, any one of whom I could call at any hour, and they would come. I had a great new condo in one of those sleek Midtown towers, my apartment bulging with surround sound and fun electronic wizardry. I even had a share in a mountain house in the north Georgia mountains at Blue Ridge. I had a job that I liked at a Great Atlanta Company.
Comfortable.
But, move to New York?
The thought scared me to death. Yet made my pulse quicken. I whipsawed between pros and cons. Give up all this, pull up these nascent roots, leave the South, go further away from my family, and go to the big, big city? ALONE? Really?
But, this is New York. Everyone should do it once in their life. New challenges. New experiences. A chance to step it up in the greatest city in the world.
Hanging up the phone, and rambling into the bathroom, I looked up, and the sticker stared back in my face. Across my face, really. Emerson smugly there, yelling out at me in helvetica bold:
Always do what you are afraid to do.
"Of course you are scared. That is why you should do it"
I did. I interviewed with the Great New York Company. I got the job. I am now in the process of moving to NYC, leaving my comfortable Atlanta behind.
I am scared. And thrilled. And concerned. And excited.
I am starting this blog to chronicle my experiences as a man in his late thirties uprooting his whole life and moving to NYC. I want to share the trade-offs, the fun, the misery and the victories.
I want to see what great things are lurking behind Afraid To Do.
Please, check back from time to time.
