These are the voices which we hear in solitude, but they grow faint and inaudible as we enter into the world. Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Is fear holding you back from living your fullest life and being truly self expressed? Put yourself in the shoes of the you who’s already lived your dream and write out the answers to the following:
Is the insecurity you’re defending worth the dream you’ll never realize? or the love you’ll never venture? or the joy you’ll never feel?
Will the blunder matter in 10 years? Or 10 weeks? Or 10 days? Or 10 minutes?
Can you be happy being anything less than who you really are?
Now Do. The Thing. You Fear.
Earlier this year I read some parting comments of a co-worker. His leave was somewhat contentious and in some written remarks it was suggested that he (solely) had done some incredible things to save the school system I work for. Upon reading them I was insulted and labeled him as an egotistical malcontent. Sure he did some good things, but to suggest he 'saved' the school? Ridiculous.
Or is it?
Ok personally yes his claims aren't even worth the bytes this post is taking up, but I find myself uttering similar phrases. Instead of saying that any of the work I have done has 'saved' anything, I find myself thinking that the work I'm going to do is going to save the school. I'm going to build relationships, reach out to current constituents, and show my bosses that marketing is garbage, advertising is a joke and the only way we are going to dig ourselves out of our current situation is through Faith in God, and a healthy dose of trying to "date" anyone and everyone who will speak to us. The two major fears involved? I am uncomfortable meeting and talking to new people, and my superiors will think I'm nuts.
Wish me luck.