When You Blink at the Precise Wrong Moment

A blink can lead to a burn.

So I’m standing barefoot …just a step away from 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit coals ready to do the Firewalk. 🔥

It’s midnight in Pasadena, California, and I’m surrounded by 3,000 complete strangers at a weekend motivational program.

I flew clear across the country by myself for this.

The Firewalk is a metaphor that if you can safely walk barefoot on hot coals, you can get rid of your limiting beliefs.

You can accomplish anything.

💥Challenge accepted!💥

Here in the open field, there are dozens of Firewalk set-ups.

Each has a short walkway over hot coals. There are two staffers.

Tracy is at the start line where I am. Her job is getting people pumped and focused.

Patrick is at the other end, cheering us on at the finish line. 🥇

I figure it will take me 6 or 7 steps to reach Patrick.

We’ve already spent a few hours inside the auditorium preparing mentally for the walk.

The mantra, the mindset, the momentum needed to step past what's holding us back.

The directions are simple: Look straight ahead; get in the zone, and DO NOT LOOK DOWN. 👀👀

The cheering is deafening; the energy surreal.

I remember picking up my right foot to step onto the hot coals when it happened.

In the blink of an eye… I glanced down.

Tracy—friendly and encouraging—morphed into a nasty-ass Army drill sergeant.

She slammed her arm in front of me. Everything stopped.

▶Our eyes met and Tracy barked: "Don’t ever look down. That split second will burn you."

In a softer voice, she continued: "Your brain will stop you from reaching your goal. Focus on where you're going."

And she barked: "Now start again. Eyes straight ahead.”

It took me 1.8 seconds to shift back to the right mental and emotional space.

I began again, zoned in on Patrick.

In just six steps, I was high-fiving Patrick and listening to cheers and congrats.

I hadn’t felt the hot coals on my bare feet. 🦶🦶

Not a hint of pain.

All I needed was...

🔑The right moment.

🔑The right mantra.

🔑The right momentum.

There was an absolute joy knowing that I did what I came to do.

I could overcome any challenge by staying completely focused and in the right frame of mind.

Yes, I blinked. And you have, too.

It's part of our stories.

I’ve blinked a few times in my life, and not just in Pasadena.

📢Here's what I've learned: It's not where you start that matters. It's where you finish.

How many times have you thought about hiring a new coach or signing up for (another) program—only to talk yourself out of it?

Not the right time.

Too much money right now.

I’m busy with (fill in the blank).

🤷 You blink. Your brain kicks in. You overthink things.

You fart around online. You play it safe.

Rinse and repeat.

I’m here to tell you that it’s OK to blink.

Occasionally.

But if you look at your patterns, decision-making, and business goals, you’ll know quickly if blinking is a story that needs to end.