How often do you do what scares you? Can you remember the last time?
If you’re like me, you may have settled into a comfortable rut and become content with the status quo of your life.
Or maybe you’ve even become afraid to try new things—the thought of getting out of your comfort zone makes you uncomfortable.
This happened to me.
A few years ago, I started noticing some signs of anxiety, and I didn’t like what it was doing to me. It had gotten to the point where I was afraid to go out on a day trip, an activity I used to love because I couldn’t handle not knowing where we would end up for dinner.
It was a wake-up moment. What had happened to me? Somewhere along the line, I had stopped being able to enjoy the experiences I used to treasure because the thought of the unknown made me that uneasy.
I started questioning why. I started to suspect that my need to feel in control and safe was beginning to affect my nerves and even my quality of life. Honestly, it made me feel old. And that was not a nice feeling to have.
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Enough is enough. Do what scares you!
That was when I said enough is enough… well actually it took another five months before I got the courage to get some help in the form of a life coach who helped me get through some rough edges I was experiencing in my life.
I have always said that courage is something that is earned—you don’t get courage until you try something new. The confidence doesn’t come before the action, it comes after you get the motivation to do something that scares you. You earn that confidence after challenging yourself.
So when we sit back and wait for the confidence to magically come over us, well, quite frankly nothing happens. We spin our wheels, hover and stay put.
I made the decision to fill the rest of my life with things that scare me. I want you to do the same!
Think about something you can do this week that scares you.
Maybe it’s a tough conversation you’ve been avoiding. Or a challenging new workout that gets you out of your comfort zone. An embarrassing confession. Or a job you’ve been wanting to pursue but haven’t because you think you’re not qualified! Just go for it. Even if you don’t succeed, you will have gained the confidence that comes just from trying something new.
Put some thought into it, think about what you’re going to try that will really bring up some anxiety for you. That is the good stuff!
Put it down on paper and let me know. Then get out there and do what scares you!
Here’s mine:
I actually have two!
The first is professional; I have real trouble asking for help with my career. I have always seen it as a sign of failure to need to ask someone for help, as though I am exposing a weakness on my part. But this idea has never served me and of course, it just isn’t true. Being able to ask for help is a strength and a secret weapon! But for some reason asking for help has always terrified me.
I’ve decided that I need to take a look around me at my peers who I admire, the ones who are ten steps ahead of me. Instead of wondering what they are doing differently from me, I’m going to reach right out to them and ask: “what should I be doing next?”
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My second goal is a personal one.
My big ass dream has always been to walk the Camino de Santiago trek. 800km along the northern coast of Spain, by myself. Sounds crazy right? I know! In fact, it scares the hell out of me.
But deep down I know I can do it. And I crave the confidence I know I will earn from accomplishing such a monumental trek all by myself. Even if I don’t finish it. Just from trying it.
So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to make it happen.
So there you have it. Now you tell me. Are you ready to do something that scares you?
Go on, I dare you!
