Who in their right mind would leave a glorious Melbourne Summer and head to the other side of the world  to partake in an English and Icelandic winter?

Albeit a smidgeon cold (freezing at times when the wind blows) it is a great experience. Reading the Lonely Planet guide to Iceland on the short flight from Gatwick (London) to Keflavik (Iceland) I was surprised to learn that Icelanders are supposedly a a nation of pessimists... although I think its all tongue in cheek. The arrivals hall at the airport hosted a number of so called Icelandic sayings that were a testament to their so called pessimism.  They were in fact an insight into their great humor!   One of the quotes  was "There seldom is a single wave" i.e. when it rains, it pours. Each of the quotes at the arrivals hall however showed both sides of the coin. In the case of the single wave saying,  when one bad thing happens more will follow... flip the coin and it could also mean when good things happen more good things will follow. Clearly not a nation of pessimists but a nation of realists with a healthy dose of humor.

After so many many years working for one of Australia's big 4 banks, I have decided to put my all into running my own business. Some have said I'm  crazy, others have said it's tough times to be starting a business while others have been extremely supportive.

After speaking with my dad a few weeks ago about how he felt when he left his 'Office'  job to start his own consulting business back in the 90's, he mentioned that as he walked away from the building in William Street he had a sense of freedom and a whole heap of Joy... I could imagine him doing one of those heel taps in the to mark the occasion!

Here I was, 5.20pm Friday 15th Feb, leaving a promising career, a bunch of awesome colleagues and a fortnightly pay cheque to take a big leap of faith to start up my own business, a huge bet on myself!

So how did I feel? Not at all like my Dad did all those years ago... as I left the building alone and walked to my car, I felt at peace, there was a deep knowing that what I had done was right, I knew that if my next chapter in life was going to be successful it was totally up to me and that really excited me.

It still feels a smidgeon scary but as one of my colleagues said in a parting email... "Fortune favors the Brave!"

I'd love to hear your stories of a time when you've taken the plunge and what it felt like for you, or perhaps you are yet to take the plunge... tell us what is it you want to di and what's holding you back?

Georgia