Approaching Fear

Its often very hard to figure out what you want to do in life; and even more difficult to follow through with that vision. Whenever a person talks about their displeasure with their current circumstance people around them find it easy enough to say “then change it” but it often isn't as simple as that. Most people with dreams have no idea what the reality of their dream actually looks like or even the effort involved in getting there. Or more importantly how frightening it actually can be. Fear has often been our greatest deterrent from going after what we truly want; what many people don't realize is that fear can be the best inspiration we ever come across in our lives.

Fear of failure will hold you back if you let it...and if you succumb to it you have already failed. No one got where they wanted by simply playing it safe 100% of the time; we take risks every day. When you get out of bed, talk to someone you find attractive, cross the street or go to work you are taking a risk; challenging a fear that might not be your but someone else's. Each decision we make (subconscious or otherwise) has multiple possibilities, and not all of which are favorable but we still make them. Its entirely possible to hold onto a dream so tightly, fearing that you will fail or make a huge mistake, that you simple don't bother. One of the best ways to lose at something is to never attend the main event. Do you think any basket ball team would win a championship if they decided never to show up if they were afraid to lose? Would any of the greatest tennis players have those skills if they refused to practice because they were afraid of never attaining a higher skill level? No one would ever participate in the olympics if no one faced their doubt and practiced.

When looking to chase after your dreams its essential to start small, ease your way in and work towards what you want; or you can simply go huge and "cannon ball" right into the deep end of the pool of your choice. Whats important is that you try, attempt to build your confidence; truthfully you may always be afraid even after you achieve some form of mastery but the important thing is to at least attempt to achieve. Being afraid only means its worth attempting (well, unless you're intent on robbing someone...and thats something I'm not trying to advocate :P ). Change your perspective and begin to think of mistakes as lessons you have yet to master. Remember high school? I do and some of the things I did there I will never repeat in my adult life because I have learned more...made more mistakes.

As previously stated its okay to be afraid, just don't be paralyzed by it. Let it motivate you to make that fantasy in your head a reality.