By Haley Ellington & Josh Rossmeisl

The Leap of Lily

Lily had just graduated from college and was stepping into her first “real” job. Everything felt exciting and new. She had a shiny title, business cards, a desk she could call her own, and an endless sense of possibilities. It was everything she’d worked for, and for a while, the glow of it all kept her soaring.  Everyone was proud of her, especially her Mom.  

But after a few weeks, as the dust settled and the routine began, Lily started noticing the cracks in her confidence. The projects she was assigned began to pile up, and with them came the realization that her role wasn’t just about showing up—it was about delivering results. That’s when she encountered her first “Frog”.

The Frog wasn’t just any task. It was the big, daunting project that demanded more from her than anything she’d done before. Every morning, it sat at the top of her to-do list, staring her down. And every morning, Lily told herself, Not yet. I’ll feel ready later. She threw herself into smaller, easier tasks, convincing herself she was still being productive.

But by the end of the day, her energy was gone, and the Frog was still there. The cycle repeated, and with it came the creeping voice of doubt: What if I mess this up? What if I’m not cut out for this job? Imposter syndrome whispered louder than her instincts, making the Frog seem bigger and more impossible to face.

One morning, after another night of worrying, her manager stopped by for a chat. “Hey, Lily. I know that project’s a big one, but let me tell you something I’ve learned. Frogs don’t get easier to handle later in the day—they get harder because you’ve already spent your energy on everything else. The best time to tackle something hard is first thing when your mind is fresh and your courage is highest. And remember, you don’t have to finish it all at once. Focus on the next step. Leap, and the net will appear.”

The advice stayed with her. That night, Lily decided to stop waiting for the courage to show up. The next morning, she brewed her coffee, sat down at her desk, and faced the Frog. She didn’t think about the whole project; instead, she took the first small hop: clarifying the goal. Once she did that, the next step became clear.

Lily reached out to a teammate for input, realizing that collaboration wasn’t a weakness but a strength. Slowly, the pieces started coming together. With each small step, her confidence grew, and what had felt overwhelming the day before now felt manageable.

By lunchtime, she had made more progress in a few hours than she had in days of procrastination. For the first time, she felt like she belonged. She wasn’t pretending anymore—she was doing!

When the project was finished and presented, Lily’s work was met with praise. But the true victory wasn’t the recognition; it was the lesson she learned about herself. The hardest part of any challenge wasn’t the work itself—it was starting. Waiting for the perfect moment had only drained her; taking the leap had shown her she was more capable than she realized.  

Swallow the Frog!

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The Lessons from Lily’s Leap

1. “Swallow the Frog” early. Your mind and energy are sharpest in the morning. Use that time to tackle your hardest tasks while you’re at your best.
2. Small hops lead to big leaps. Don’t focus on the entire project—just the next step. Progress builds momentum.
3. Collaboration strengthens you. Asking for help doesn’t make you less capable—it makes your work better.
4. Imposter syndrome doesn’t define you. You belong, even if it doesn’t feel that way yet. The leap creates confidence—not the other way around.

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The Moral of the Story

The hardest part of any challenge is starting. Don’t wait for courage to arrive—it’s built through action. Take the first step early in the day, focus on progress over perfection, and trust that every leap forward will reveal the strength you already have.