How I Leaped: "Why am I doing this?"

Have you ever come to a point in your life where you think...why am I doing this?

Whether you call it a quarter-life crisis, a mid-life crisis or simply just an "AHA" moment, these times are telling you to take a leap.

By Danielle Cococcia Bebarfald with Crystal Blue Weddings.

My moment came about 5 years ago. I was working for a large accounting firm. From the beginning of my eight-year career at the firm, I knew this was not what I wanted to do.

Things happen, though, and the years kept passing by.  Of course it was not a terrible situation - I was offered, and took, opportunities in Australia and the Cayman Islands (where I currently live) for which I am so grateful.

Ultimately, I knew what I wanted to do, but something was always holding me back.

The day came when it just hit me. I needed to take a leap.

Within literally a few moments I decided I was going to quit my job and pursue my dream of planning and designing weddings and events.

I didn't have anything lined up (very un-Capricorn of me), didn't have any "inside" contacts in the industry and didn't have any real experience.

I quit my job anyway.

I must have turned on the charm because I was lucky enough to be presented with a few different job offers in the wedding/event industry. (I was in shock-I couldn't believe I had one opportunity, much less a decision to make between a few different ones!)

I pursued one with a company here in the Cayman Islands. My friend Lara Casey introduced me to the saying "feel the fear and do it anyway!"...well, that's exactly what I did!

I went from a senior position at a large accounting firm (MAJOR comfort zone) to bottom of the totem pole at a start-up company (not so much of a comfort zone).

In the beginning it was a tough adjustment. The biggest challenge was my income...I was making about 20% of what I was making at the firm.

I kept reminding myself, though, that fear comes with any big decision you make in life and to stick it out - it will be OK.

Well, here I am...5 years later. I am still in the Cayman Islands, still planning weddings. I have also launched a new wedding related company this year, Crystal Blue Weddings.

If you had asked me before, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years", there is no way I could have imagined my life today.

I am so grateful for every opportunity I have had, so driven to keep growing as a person and a professional, and so thankful that I took the leap I did all of those years ago.

So, like Lara says, feel the fear and do it anyway. I really live my life by that saying.

I might fail, but I might also succeed and I, for one, want to see how the story continues.

Oh, and speaking of huge, exciting decisions and scary...my husband and I are expecting our first child in January!