I woke up on New Year’s day… with a crushing pain in my chest.
My arms were tingling…
Every time I stood up I worried I was going to pass out…
I could barely catch my breath…
For almost four hours, I laid in bed praying for the pain to go away…
But it only got worse.
And that’s when it hit me…
“I think I’m having a heart attack?!”
I stumbled outside, grabbed a cab and sped off to the ER where I was immediately rushed to the backroom.
And after what felt like hours of testing and questions…
The doctor calmly came into the room and I shot up out of the hospital bed begging him for answers…
“Am I dying?”
To my surprise…
He laughed in my face!
“No Mr. Ballantyne,” he responded with a hint of condescension
“You’re not dying… you just had an anxiety attack. I know it’s scary but I promise you, it’s nothing to worry about. Get some sleep, take it easy on the booze, and you’ll be just fine.”
I was so embarrassed I could barely look him in the eyes…
After leaving the ER, I went back home and collapsed onto the bed wondering…
...What now?
It was clear that my lifestyle WAS NOT working.
And even though it was “just” an anxiety attack…
...I knew things would get MUCH worse if I didn’t make a change and fast.
I still remember sitting on the edge of my bed thinking to myself…
“Should I just take a step back and settle for less than I’m capable? I don’t REALLY need to grow my business any more, right?”
At that moment, it became obvious that I had a decision to make…