Lauren Gage #3
Every day we are presented with many questions and opportunities that can really shape the outcome of our lives, no matter how small. How it shapes our lives in dependent upon what we decide to do about the question at hand, if anything at all. Something that can easily halt most of us is fear. Fear of failure, disappointment, and the unknown. The question I have now is, is it better to try and fail than not try at all?
In the movie Lions for Lambs, a student asks his professor, “Is there any difference in trying but failing, and simply failing to try – if you end up in the same place anyway?”. By asking this, his attempt was to justify the safe route. The one where the decision we find ourselves making most of the time is to stay in our box and never step out- something that is easy and familiar. We all have different definitions of failure. This is because we have different definitions of success, different standards we hold ourselves to, and different belief systems. With that being said, how do you approach big decisions? Do you immediately back away from something big because the risk of failure is at hand? What if it were you that had gotten cut from the team a handful of times and had one more opportunity? What if it were you that was rejected from your dream school and were told your ideas weren't good enough?
For most of us, we will experience failure- and a lot of it. Doors that we wish could stay open for forever will be slammed right in our faces. But imagine for a second if Michael Jordan wouldn't have tried that one last time after being cut from his high school basketball team. He is now considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Warren Buffet, one of the world's richest and most successful businessmen, was rejected by Harvard University. The success of these people that once were told they weren't good enough go to prove what can happen if you're willing to take one more step. One last try for what you believe can make your dreams come true. That’s why it's so scary anyways- because your dreams are at the end of it. But in my opinion, that's even more the reason to dive in head first.
As you can probably already tell, I believe in taking risks and doing whatever you can to reach your full potential. If taking head first leaps scare you, you can try taking a simpler approach and setting small goals for yourself. Making some sort of progress is better than none at all. Try visualizing how your life will look after you make that decision you’ve been worried about. If you like what you see, stop at nothing until you reach that place.
The reason I feel so strongly about never having to worry about the "what if's" is because I've worried about them too many times before. I've chosen ignorance and safety over doing what I need to do to be truly happy. A quote that has changed this for me and always stays in the back of my mind is by Erin Hanson. It says, "What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?". These few words are powerful and helped put into perspective the potential I have and to not ever let the fear of failure keep me from reaching that. I hope it does likewise for you.
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So sad when fear of failure prevents a person from even attempting to achieve a dream, but leaves them with a lifetime of regretful "what ifs"... You are right, and FDR was right: the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated this! It is so motivational. Too many times I have found myself fearing what would happen if I did something in my life. This fear has held me back from doing so many things that I've wanted to do. I really admire your fearlessness and hope that one day I too will put fear in the back seat :)
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