We are standing at the top of a trail that runs 2.7 miles down the side of a mountain into Muir Woods, a stand of redwoods north of San Francisco. The bus that dropped us off has left. My trip down this mountain reminds me of the LNC path.
Here is what happened: The tour guide gives us our informed consent: “There is a risk of serious injury. You could encounter a snake or a mountain lion. If that happens, make yourself look big.”
“Make your self look big? I am 5’1″. How big can I get?”
My medical brain evaluates the risks. If I fall forward, I risk a Colles fracture of the wrist or a fractured hip. I look at the drop of a few thousand feet down off the right side of the 2 feet wide path. If I fall off of the path, I won’t survive due to a spinal cord injury or a fractured skull or limbs. There’d be no way to climb back up to the path.
Did you notice the narrowness of the path in the photo at the top of this blog? It did not get any wider.
The bus is gone. There is only one way down this path, and that is one foot in front of the other. My husband and I are the oldest members of our group. We step over rocks, roots and loose gravel to slowly make our way down the mountain. Periodically the leader waits until we catch up to the group.
We are definitely the weakest links in the chain.
At the bottom my legs are shaky tired but I am exhilarated. All of the members of our group achieved the goal of walking out onto flat, wide paths at the bottom. It did not matter how long it took us. We got down by ourselves.
Can you read the exhaustion in my face?
The LNC Path
Starting an LNC business is like climbing to the top of the mountain. You’ve done the hardest work by gaining the knowledge to become an LNC. Although you may not realize it, it is all downhill once you start.
Many aspiring LNCs give up, not realizing that gravity and momentum can carry them forward. As you develop your LNC practice you step around obstacles, watch your footing, and are aware of the risks. The rewards for LNCs come through persevering and quitting is not an option.
I can tell you from being at the end of the path that there are infinite rewards to being able to help clients and to seeing results that make a difference in peoples’ lives. When your footsteps falter, have faith that your skills will carry you along your path.
You need not walk along the LNC path of self-employment alone. I invite you to explore coaching with me to get help in your business so you can move more quickly ahead. Answer the questions on this form and let’s see if we should talk.
Pat Iyer MSN RN LNCC built a multimillion dollar business as an independent LNC. She followed an LNC path to success that she shares with her coaching clients.