Change is inevitable, fear is optional.
Making a change, charting a course, taking action. It all might seem scary, but fear is only in your mind and your emotions are ruling the day. I’m working my way through The 4-Hour Workweek, by Timothy Ferriss and it seems on many a page there is reason to underline, reason to think, reason to not be afraid. Not that everyone needs to be just like Ferriss, but he makes several strong points, especially for those who are stuck where they are because they think they can’t, mainly because of fear. If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.
Consider this quote Ferriss includes in the book: “All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it’s impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.” – Niccolo Machieavelli, The Prince
It all really comes down to fear when you want to do something different but are afraid of the outcome. At some point to do something which can lead you down a new path, open a new door and find a way to help others, it is as simple as that first step. I’ve made dramatic changes in my own life; done a 180 degree turn and changed careers to insurance sales after a 15-year-run in television, changed companies and philosophy within that career choice (after a 10-year-run at the first company), made the decision to write and self-publish a book, (a #1 Amazon Best-Seller), started this blog, (which is nearing 250 posts in just over a year with nearly 45,000 participants). My point here being I’ve done some things which others might not have, or might look at and said I would never do that…and in each case it’s worked. Everyone has their own path to take, their own talents to share and their own goals to reach. I could have stayed right where I started when I began my first career a quarter of a century ago, but in each case I made a move which I believed would improve the quality of my life. And a way to challenge the best (and the beast) within me.
There will always be thoughts of risk, and emotions play a part. But here is where I think Ferriss sums it up terrifically in his book: “Don’t confuse the complex with the difficult. Most situations are simple – many are just emotionally difficult to act upon. The problem and the solution are usually obvious and simple. It’s not that you don’t know what to do. Of course you do. You are just terrified that you might end up worse off than you are now. I’ll tell you right now: If you’re at this point, you won’t be worse off. Revisit fear-setting and cut the cord.”
You know what you want to do. Maybe you are already doing it. Maybe you aren’t but you are afraid. Afraid of failure. The secret is to go after it, embrace it and learn from it. “Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure.”, – Thomas J. Watson, founder of IBM
Cut the cord. Make mistakes. Fail. And in doing so live life on your terms, the one you were meant to live.
Until next time, thanks for taking the time.
Mark
Mark Brodinsky, Author, Blogger, Financial Services Professional
#1 Amazon Best-Seller
It Takes 2. Surviving Breast-Cancer: A Spouse’s Story
www.spouses-story.com
markbrodinsky@gmail.com