The Fear to “Leap”
A small thought about taking risks and making the first step.
“If you only do what you can do, you’ll never be more than what you are” — Master Shifu (Kung Fu Panda)
Listen — I know you have big ideas and even bigger dreams. You are probably the type of person that can spend hours talking about your next big project or, if your like me, you can get caught up planning for the future. Thinking about what you want out of life; the things you want to accomplish; and the impact you want to make. Let me be the first to you that this is precious. Being a person with ideas of innovation is so important to society. We really don’t have enough people who are committed to change, innovation, progression — the list goes on and on.
Yet, I noticed a common thread amongst many thinkers (including myself). That is, the fear of the leap! Many people never accomplish as much as they can in life, simply because they never pressed on their own success story. Think about that — you being a person of dreams and ambition yet fearful of jumping in. I get it. Life can be scary and uncertainties even scarier. You never know what can happen and what the future brings.
However, never allow the uncertainties of the future to define the potential of the present.
- Don’t let two letters define you
I live by the motto: “The worst anyone can say is….. NO!” Thats it. Literally, no matter what the project is or plan is, the worst is that can be said is no. I’ll admit that “no” can be pretty scary. No, can mean the world of difference. However, I choose to live with a understanding that their is a yes somewhere out there I just have to find it. Therefore, when someone says no, try to understand why and use those moments to better prepare for the next.
2. You have to start somewhere
In any race, the runners are not defined by where they start but rather where they end up. It’s ok to begin small and go big. I hear so many people say, that they are afraid to jump into life because they don’t have x,y,z. However, if you never start somewhere, you limit your own potential to get the necessary help you need. And for many people, success never came because they never started.
Now you may be a person full of potential but if you never take the leap, you will always be on the sideline of waiting to be called of the bench. I think you are better than that. Why be a bench-warmer in your life?
In the words of Master Shifu, “If you only do what you can do, you’ll never be more than what you are”!
