I Can’t Write That Story …

4 min readApr 11, 2015

There’s no denying that we, as humans, enjoy passion, excitement, and the selfless joy of discovery, whether it is in the pursuit of things that will change the course of the world or in the struggle to overcome the biggest challenges our global society is facing. We are quick to admire or praise the achievements of others, and we are eager to achieve our own personal goals, so why does it seem like doubts and broken promises are daily occurrences in the lives of those around me?

I’ll go running when the weather is a bit better.
This summer, I’d like to read some new books.
I’m not smart enough to apply for that position.
I can’t do that because they don’t respect me.

The list goes on and on…

In the world today, it’s clear that many people have given up on their own passions and allowed doubt and fear to cloud their confidence. We are so willing to make commitments, but rarely follow through on them when the moment comes. Don’t be so quick to dismiss these failures and seemingly insignificant broken promises; they can have far-reaching and unseen effects throughout your whole life in the long run. Instead of moving past those stumbling blocks and moving forward in your passion, you’ll simply find more excuses to stay safe and embrace mediocrity because it is easy and comfortable.

The Fear of Failure

Personally, I refuse to believe that there isn’t enough passion or determination in our bodies to follow through on these promises; nor do I believe that there are impossible limits that we must simply accept. These thoughts come from fear, which clouds our opportunity to pursue greater things.

“Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.”
~ George Addair

Fear is the main obstacle standing between you and your success because it holds you back from pushing forward and taking risks. The process usually goes something like this: You lack confidence because you don’t have the skills to cope with a given situation, and you fear the unknown outcomes that inevitably come with any major lifestyle change.

Granted, making changes can lead to unwanted results, so your fears may appear to be justified, but it is essential not to fear failure. Instead, you should celebrate your failures, as they are the most tangible proof that effort was made, risks were taken, and a genuine ambition to grow was pursued! Fear’s greatest achievement is keeping you in one place and limiting your ability to succeed.

Remember; without risk, there can be no reward. Learn from your failures and utilize what you learned next time a challenge arises or you come face to face with one of your fears. Use what you learned last time and suddenly…Boom. Success.

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
~ Michael Jordan

Take some advice from one of the most successful athletes in history. The path of life is not about always finding success, but rather about overcoming adversity and boldly pushing forward to the next challenge.

The Urgency of the Present

However, we need to remind ourselves the fierce urgency of the present. Our greatest enemy — fear — will be even stronger tomorrow, as it will have had yet another day to bolster its defenses and become the new normal. Today is not the time to engage in planning, preparing, and resting for the struggles of tomorrow. That willingness to delay is simply fear talking you into remaining safe and secure, without ever taking the risks today. The time to rise and conquer your fears is right now! Most importantly, remember that it’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon and a personal revolution all wrapped up in one!

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
~ Chinese Proverb

You’ll never get anywhere if you’re unwilling to step out of your front door and leave your comfort zone. When you look at your life in this way, do you really have a reason to put off your grand plans and ambitions for another day? What’s your real excuse for saying that something could be amazing, but still not following through and taking a leap of faith?