Forged in Fire

Seriously, think about it.

I’ve discussed in the past my long-standing fear of failure. This was something that debilitated me for years, causing shortcoming after shortcoming – specifically in the world of sports. The pressing thought of a possible crash and burn produced a level of self-induced fear that was simply too much to overcome. This occurred time and time again.

It’s taken me years to understand this phenomenon, and its stronghold on my life. 

Am I free of it in its entirety? Of course not. 

I do, however, feel enough removed to discuss it.

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Inhibition of Action

In order to accomplish anything, and I mean anything, one thing is absolutely necessary – that is, to take action. This is true, regardless of the circumstance. 

Want to lose weight? You must take action.

Want to earn another degree? You must take action.

Something as small as the desire to accomplish more each day before your kids are awake? You must take action.

Here is where fear itself, particularly fear of failure, comes out to play.

“What if I don’t lose any weight?”

“What if I struggle to pass my classes?”

“What if less sleep causes me to get sick?”

Fear is creeping in, when these questions arise. Fear of the unknown, fear of not having precise control over something – everything, in your life.

Such a fear, we know, inhibits our ability or willingness to take action – thus causing us to idle, and, worse yet, trend in the opposite direction.

And so, this begs the question – a question you must ask yourself – “what do I have to lose?”

What do you have to lose? Other than your pride? What could possibly occur, aside from a strong blow to your ego? Which, I discussed a while back. 

Sure, there are real risks involved in our day-to-day. We have to make decisions with legitimate ramifications surrounding them. This, we can’t avoid.

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That said, at day’s end, what is truly at stake? Is it worth remaining stagnant? Is the fear worthy of your headspace?

Think about it. 

Whatever it is that you long for, that you so strongly desire to become or to attain, what do you have to lose in order to pursue it? Do you, in fact, have anything to lose at all? 

Shed the fear. Rid your mind of the “what if’s.”

The impossibility of it all is often a farce at best – this, I know from experience.

The time to take action is now. Not tomorrow, not next month. If you’re not ready, just know that you will never be.

The time will never be just right. The obstacles will forever be present.

Your life – your story, is not written through your words, but through the actions you’re willing to take. Walk the walk, instead of talking the talk. Go get what you deserve, because, well, who’s going to stop you?

What do you have to lose?

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