Ever danced on the edge of the law?
Well, let me spill the beans on a moonlit night’s escapade. 😏
I grew up working with my family doing construction. I always said, “I was raised on a ladder,” and to this day, I still prefer a balcony to the first floor.
There’s something more freeing about being elevated.
I moved back to the States two years ago after living internationally for some time. I was on plan D after all the COVID-induced cancellations, so I was craving some uniquely American experiences…. Or perhaps that’s just my excuse.
I decided to move to a city for the first time to be in proximity with some larger companies to diversify my portfolio. I was fortunate to work as a creative director for a large tech company and a 7-figure influencer… cool, eh!?
Anyway, I took up residence in my first apartment building with a rooftop bar and pool. Overlooking the city, I noticed many construction cranes all around. Hmmm, my love of heights and adventure started brewing a plan.
I was looking for the perfect crane scaling opportunity for the next few months. Now, with my very brief stint with crime, what I can tell you is that you must be patient and allow the opportunity to open up to you.
I’ve always been a creature of the night, and I admit that the city awakens this in me even more.
So, I was walking home after an event at 2 am (yes, it was a good event, ha), and I realized that my opportunity had arisen:
- There was a crane in a fairly secluded part of town
- No one was around
- I could not see any law enforcement in sight
Maybe I should hone in on my requirements for crime, but nonetheless, it was a green light for my crane climbing mission!!!
It was in the dead of summer, and I was wearing a skirt, white crop top, and flip-flops—not exactly the right attire, but it would have to do.
My heart started pumping, and my hands got sweaty. At this moment, I truly knew the life of crime was not for me… but I needed to at least complete this one mission, so I pushed on, filled with nervous excitement.
First Step:
Sneak into the job site. Easy enough, it was just a slight duck of the fence.
Next step:
I approached the crane to realize that 25 feet of plywood was secured all around the base to prevent crime climbers like me. But I wasn’t deterred, as I’m a problem solver after all!
It was at this point that I heard a man say, “Ma’am”… I froze. He continues, “Do you work there?” I kid you not. And yes, he could see me and my very non-construction-friendly outfit.
“Yes sir, I sure I do,” I exclaim with all the confidence that 2 am gives a true night owl.
And he continues on. Ha! It’s still a green light for my mission!
Step 3:
Commandeer an extension ladder. After searching the job site, I found one and put it in place.
Step 4:
Ditch the sandals and climb!
I climbed that ladder and got my [stolen] late-night city view.
Something earned is always sweeter, right?
Now that I made it to the top, I had to push away the panic as I started to climb down because...
- The fun part is already over
- Getting caught on the way down just seems lame
- Going down is always harder
- Someone could have removed my ladder, and I’m not sure about my jumping ability at 25 feet in bare feet
Luckily, the descent went smoothly. I got off the crane, grabbed my sandals, and got the heck out of there.
Another hint to me lacking the nerves for criminal action: I literally washed my sandals when I got home… Like the police were going to forensic the mud on them or something!?
I do have to warn you that it’s illegal to climb a crane, and you will get a hefty fine if caught. Additionally, there are lots of horror stories of people having to call the fire department for climbing and then getting stuck on the crane.
*chuckle*
So, what’s the lesson here? Confidence, my friend!
When tackling challenges and conflicts on the road to big goals, bold leaders dive in headfirst. No procrastination, no passing the buck. That self-assured approach is the magic ingredient that amps up problem-solving and decision-making in leadership.
And guess what? When we evolve our businesses to the next level of visibility and scale to a global audience, we too have to muster the confidence and energy to uplevel.
How do you achieve this in the digital arena?
Ensure you have a luxe brand that speaks clearly to your target audience, a rock-solid website that nurtures your people effectively, and the automations in place to let your business work for you!
Scaling a business—just like climbing a crane at 2 AM—takes confidence, strategy, and a little risk. The difference? In business, you can actually plan for success.
The key is knowing your unique strengths and how to leverage them for growth.
That’s where the Brand Archetype Quiz comes in. It reveals your best path to scaling so you can grow without chaos, burnout, or second-guessing.
Take the Brand Archetype Quiz now and scale with confidence.
