Are you afraid to look foolish?
“Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life.”
Herbert A. Otto, Psychologist
The other day a young waitress I know said to me, “Jim, I don’t want to get it wrong and look stupid.”
While she was referring to my breakfast order, her statement got me thinking about how many times we avoid doing something because it might make us look foolish or “stupid.”
The aspiring speaker who avoids getting in front of an audience because she wants to get it perfect first, or the would-be author who doesn’t allow anyone to see his writing for fear of people may think he’s dumb.
The man or women who is afraid to ask that “special person” out on a date because they may say “no” and then they’ll feel rejected. Here is a news flash; they’re not going out with you now, so you have nothing to lose!
Often in life, the very thing that you want most is just on the other side of your willingness to look a little foolish. You may need to be willing to take some calculated risk, move out of your comfort zone and become uncomfortable.
Being a professional speaker for over a decade, I can tell you without reservation, that in the beginning I felt and probably looked foolish.
Fortunately, I didn’t let it stop me. My desire to share ideas with people enabled me to overcome any fears that I had and risk looking stupid, dumb or just plain silly.
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