This word has so much power. Think about the feelings it creates in you when you hear it.
Fear. Inadequacy. Paralysis. Cold. Guilt. Procrastination.
See, all of these emotions, feelings, lead to one thing - doing nothing. Immobility. Accepting our meager existence because we feel that is a safer option than failing.
This is a much more pervasive affliction than anyone wants to acknowledge. Why? Because we are all affected by it. Yes, every one of us. We all have a tremendously irrational but very real fear of failure.
We feel that if we fail – in small things or large, it will be our most defining moment that will identify us as a person (that failed at something) forever. Am I right?
Most of us are not even consciously aware of it because we don’t want to think about failing for long enough to figure it out or gain any insight.
Moment of truth: If you were guaranteed not to fail what would you love to do, try, take on?
Close your eyes and visualize some desire you have always wanted to explore and then imagine being successful at it. Not necessarily award winning successful but being able to do something that fulfills part of you and at the same time satisfies your level of intellectual curiosity about yourself at a certain level.
Now, write a list of 3 things (mental note or physical) you would do if you were guaranteed not to fail. Choose your top pick. Now imagine the worst case scenario in your mind – actually failing at that pick. What is the worst that will happen? I will tell you - nothing. Boring, eh?
You may feel bummed or discouraged but that is because you are judging yourself how you imagine others will. Quite honestly, the vast majority of people are really not thinking about you that much. That is a good thing, liberating actually.
Do you admire or deride someone who has put themselves out there to explore and see what happens? Envy aside, you most likely wish you could do what they are doing. DO IT.
Is it seriously worth the regret later in life? As you pass on your wisdom to those you love would you advise them to settle instead of attempting an endeavour that would enrich their lives?
Fear. Inadequacy. Paralysis. Cold. Guilt. Procrastination.
See, all of these emotions, feelings, lead to one thing - doing nothing. Immobility. Accepting our meager existence because we feel that is a safer option than failing.
This is a much more pervasive affliction than anyone wants to acknowledge. Why? Because we are all affected by it. Yes, every one of us. We all have a tremendously irrational but very real fear of failure.
We feel that if we fail – in small things or large, it will be our most defining moment that will identify us as a person (that failed at something) forever. Am I right?
Most of us are not even consciously aware of it because we don’t want to think about failing for long enough to figure it out or gain any insight.
Moment of truth: If you were guaranteed not to fail what would you love to do, try, take on?
Close your eyes and visualize some desire you have always wanted to explore and then imagine being successful at it. Not necessarily award winning successful but being able to do something that fulfills part of you and at the same time satisfies your level of intellectual curiosity about yourself at a certain level.
Now, write a list of 3 things (mental note or physical) you would do if you were guaranteed not to fail. Choose your top pick. Now imagine the worst case scenario in your mind – actually failing at that pick. What is the worst that will happen? I will tell you - nothing. Boring, eh?
You may feel bummed or discouraged but that is because you are judging yourself how you imagine others will. Quite honestly, the vast majority of people are really not thinking about you that much. That is a good thing, liberating actually.
Do you admire or deride someone who has put themselves out there to explore and see what happens? Envy aside, you most likely wish you could do what they are doing. DO IT.
Is it seriously worth the regret later in life? As you pass on your wisdom to those you love would you advise them to settle instead of attempting an endeavour that would enrich their lives?
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