Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back

Have you ever wanted to get a new job, start a side business, or otherwise take your life in a new direction? It could even be something as simple as attending a conference or learning to do something new. If so, what’s holding you back?

If you’re like many of us, it’s fear.

It’s natural to experience some anxiety or nerves when you’re considering taking on something new. We’re wired to be more alert in unfamiliar situations. But that doesn’t mean you should let fear hold you back.

Take it as a sign

In fact, fear can be a sign that you really do want to do whatever it is you’re contemplating. So use it as an excuse to go ahead and get started. Sure, not every experience will be a great one — but most of the things you worry about will never happen anyway.

Of course, you should get training from an experienced person — and then follow the safety rules — if you’re going to try something that could be physically dangerous. And you should spend some time preparing if you’re planning to quit your job and strike out on your own.

But don’t spend too much time preparing for something that won’t literally kill you. You’ve got to take the leap. It’s called a leap of faith for a reason: you don’t wait until you have proof that everything will go perfectly.

Life doesn’t go perfectly; it goes interesting

I’ve done very few things that I expected to in life — but a whole lot of things that I don’t regret for a moment. I’ve quit jobs. I’ve moved to a foreign country with $20 in my pocket. I’ve spoken in front of large groups. I’ve sometimes wondered what the hell I was thinking, but I’ve been glad to have done them anyway.

If you’re not trying new things despite the doubts and fear, you’re not trying enough things. Don’t spend your life wishing.

Figure out what you’ve “always wanted to do” and go do it.

I’ll leave you with these quotes on regrets:

“Children show scars like medals. Lovers use them as a secrets to reveal. A scar is what happens when the word is made flesh.”
― Leonard Cohen, The Favorite Game

“People always say life is too short for regrets. But the truth is, it’s too long.”
― Sarah Addison Allen, The Peach Keeper

“To live without regrets is impossible. To regret not trying is the worst regret of all.”
― Gary Rudz

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