What stops you from trying new things? Usually, it’s fear. Sometimes it’s pride. But what if that new thing is is what you need to do in order to follow your dreams? What do you need to do then? How do you move forward? And how do you do that one thing you need to do to follow your dream.
Just one thing? Yes. And that’s what it is…saying yes. Say yes to those things that scare you. Say yes to those things that sound like fun but might embarrass you. Just say yes. It will move you closer to your dream.
In When Was the Last Time You Tried Something New, I shared some of the reasons why trying new things is important. Things like increasing your brainpower and building your confidence and happiness. In Why Failure is an Option, I wrote about how trying something new and failing moves you forward. Even though you missed the mark, you tried, and that’s important. And in We’re Scared to Death to Try New Things I discuss how we can take small steps first in order to build up to taking those bigger steps that are more important, or scarier. Those steps that will really move you forward towards your goal.
Fear holds so many of us back. A leap of faith is sometimes all it takes!
Like Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark!
Nice Blog. I don’t know if this counts, but last night I was completely scared when have 2 of my books to a Pastor at a Church I go to at nights and asked him if he would put it some where for people to see and read. He said yes and gave me the perfect spot for them for everyone to see. Another thing is, last summer I was super scared to walk over a rope bridge in Ireland. My husband really wanted to do it. I finally gave in and told him I would give it a try. I did it! I said yes, I faced my fears and walked over that rope bridge. I even looked down half way over at the ocean.
It counts! It most certainly counts! Asking someone to put your book out there takes a lot of courage. Books are personal and you’re sharing a part of yourself. And a rope bridge? I haven’t even tried one of those yet.
Jennifer, If you ever get the chance to visit Ireland you should definitely do the rope bridge. It does cost, but we have the English Heritage card which allows us to go for free, well we paid for the card, but it already paid for itself. I was terrified to cross that bridge, but when I thought about all my husband does for me and give me, facing that fear was the least I could do AND I am so glad I did it!
I will think about it! 🙂
Fear of the unknown has held me back in the past but my husband is pretty spontaneous and he has weakened my fear considerably over the years!! I’m more for leaping now!!
It was a friend who did that for me. She dragged me out to do things that I never would have done on my own. And I’m so glad.
I have let fear stop me from doing so many things and that’s one of the things I’m working on this year. Courage.
That’s a great WOTY: Courage.
Fear of failure is a huge factor in not meeting goals. This is a great post and a reminder to put fear aside and go for it. Not always easy but often necessary #MLSTL Sharing
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer.
It’s always fear, I agree.
Yes. I completely agree.
I’m trying to say ‘yes’ to a lot more things this year, Jen! One of these things is to start a podcast. Wish me luck!
Good luck with that. I’ll be looking out for your new podcast.
Great reminder, Jennifer. I’m all for Yes, make it happen, yes, walk the talk, yes, just do it. #MLSTL
YES!
Jennifer you are SO right! I tend to back pedal when I get scared, but I’m learning to step out of my comfort zone more these days and have a go at things – I’m particularly reluctant to try and fail, and that’s something I’m working on so it doesn’t hold me back anymore.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM ?
Trying and failing was so easy when we were kids, but oh so hard as adults. We worry too much about what other people are thinking instead of looking at what we’re learning from the experience.
Saying yes to things is vital to getting out of comfort safety zones Jennifer. I like to think my WOTY will help me get out there a bit more and JUMP at opportunities and challenges. It’s also being aware of what is holding us back, sometimes we’re not honest with ourselves. Shared for #mlstl
Jump In! Great WOTY
Yes, Jennifer! We can talk ourselves out of so many wonderful learning experiences, because we are afraid. For me, that fear is often fear of looking foolish or fear of not being successful (which often comes back to fear of looking foolish). I’ve gotten better at taking chances, but still have some work to do. Thanks for the additional motivation to keep moving forward. Life is too short to hold ourselves back. #MLSTL
You’re so right that life is too short. I’m glad we both jumped into something that we feared.
Hi Jennifer, it sounds so simple, but saying yes and actually moving forward can be the hardest thing to do! Thanks for sharing this in such a simple and effective way. Shared on SM #MLSTL
You are so right. I’ve stalled for years, but so glad I finally got up the courage!
Fear is a big reason to hold us back for sure. But, once I read or heard fear of success. Initially I thought fear of success, what? But, actually it is a fear essentially. It all boils down to the fact we don’t have faith in ourself to handle whatever comes our way. If we can win over that then we win over fear. In my humble opinion.
You’re right. Our fear is based on our lack of faith in ourselves.
Hi Jennifer! Popping over from Bella’s blog party. There are many things that hold us back, fear, is a big one. I do know as a gal with fibromyalgia, health is a big factor. I don’t believe in my 50+ years I’ve ever had to face AND conquer my fears as frequently as I have after getting ill… because life still holds dreams and I want to see them! Great post! Yay!?
You are so right. Health or physical limitations are big factors that can hold some people back. When things like my low back pain hold me back, I try to remember my father who was in a wheelchair during the last ten years of his life. At first, he would just be sad, because he felt that things like gardening were now out of his reach. My sister and I rolled him out into the yard and dumped him out of his wheelchair in front of his garden. He was shocked that we’d do such a thing but then realized he could crawl over to his garden and start weeding. From that point forward, he never stopped trying to do new things. Sometimes, it didn’t work out, but at least he tried.
Trying counts. 🙂
So true!
“Getting over our fears” can be a scary thing in itself, because let’s face it, by keeping our fears in place we have built-in excuses why we don’t need to venture out of our comfort zones!
That’s not meant to sound judgemental… we all have fears, even the seemingly fearless!
While I haven’t faced all of my fears, yet, I am working on taking baby steps towards conquering them. Baby steps count! They do add up, and when we gain more confidence, those baby steps imperceptibly lengthen into a more functioning stride!
So if you fear jumping in with both feet into unknown depths, it’s also okay to take some baby steps towards your goals! It’s been my chosen method for many of my fears, and it has given me the strength to continue!
Peace to you!
Tamara
Great post. Fear of feeling embarrassed, etc., used to stop me from trying new things. One nice thing about getting older is that I don’t worry that people are looking at me and judging me, because they’re really not!
It’s funny how we don’t think some people feel the same fear. I would have thought that all those years in ballet would have taken away your fear of anyone ever judging your work! 🙂
But it’s true, everyone feels fear at some point, it’s really just a matter of how we meet that fear. Head-on or hiding.
Oh, so many fears–many actually stemming from ballet, unfortunately (not an art form that engenders acceptance, really). Love that, Jennifer: “head-on or hiding.” I’m too old and ornery to hide anymore!
I like too old and ornery! That’s what I’m going to tell people that I am. Too old and ornery to care what others think!