Last week into the beginning of this one I took an extended weekend away in New Orleans with some girlfriends. Those who know me both professionally and…well, I don’t want to say “unprofessionally,” but let’s go with “off the clock,” know that I am structured. Steadfast. Calculated. Those terms make a lot of sense as I am at my core a strategist. 

I’ve even been likened to a cartoon hedgehog by artist Ally Burgerieres with the words WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK! on it…

You can buy that shirt by clicking Ally's image above (you know you want to...)

However, even the most point A to point B people do deviate from time to time. This weekend was one of those times for me. I tried a hot sauce called Death Nectar. I know…smart, right? But here’s the thing…I learned a lot from the experience and I think those pieces of wisdom are worth sharing! 

1. You don’t have to reach the highest achievement to achieve

Yes, I am going to explain this. The Death Nectar hot sauce is 337,000 Scoville units. You can check that fact here. Believe it or not, that is not the hottest available. There are crazy people in the world putting 2 million Scoville units into their poor bodies. 

My point in telling you this is that you don’t have to go all the way to the “hottest” or the “best” to achieve results. Your life is your own and you should test your own limits, but know that those limits are not the limits of others. 

*Fun Fact! We ran into a travel nurse during our trip who said there is an actual SYNDROME that happens due to ingesting some of the hotter sauces with the reaper pepper. Unless you want to light up an MRI machine like a Christmas tree or possibly die, I would stay away…

2. Fear is just that…

I had to sign a waiver to taste this hot sauce (which looked like turpentine). It was downright terrifying. And the result was not exactly pleasant. Sure I downed two bottles of milk, cried publicly and yelled for more milk, but I lived. 

And, after that experience I really feel like anything else is just…not that important. If I can get through that, I can handle everyday tasks. You can too! Anxiety can sometimes be mediated once you get out of your own way. All you just have to do something to prove it to your own brain. 

Another unendorsed life tip…this book is very helpful towards the aim I just mentioned. It’s a quick read with a powerful message. Bonus…it has PICTURES! 

3. Good friends are those who support you no matter what

I might be a randomly, occasionally nutty (some say brave, but I do not agree) person, but I would be nothing without my friends. This goes for my coworkers too. I am willing to take risks because of my network. 

In the case of this experience, I was backed up by my partner in crime and incredible teacher, Megan Labrie. She actually took two doses of the poison because she felt bad for me. 

The lesson here is that if you are going to risk it all, have people who will support you waiting in the wings. Professionally, this is even more important. You can’t be afraid to fail…but it is equally important to have people in your life who will support you when you do.

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In summation, I urge those who are most type A to leap occasionally. You don’t have to change who you are, but when it comes to life, it’s not all about the pre-trodden path. Blaze your own using the hot sauce within! 

Originally published on LinkedIn in 2018.