Do It Scared

For most of my life, I’ve been a fraidy cat.

I’ve always been the one scared. Afraid of roller coasters, afraid of planes, afraid of what others think of me.

I have lived in the shadows of my own life, allowing the fears to become my focus. I forfeited dreams and relationships and what could have been because I was scared of what might be.

But in the past 6 months, I have stared some fears in the face. I have listened to the scared voice in my head and told it, “Not this time.” I have stepped out when I once would have run away.

And I am a different person because of it.

Whatever it is that scares you – do it anyway. Do it scared. Do it trembling. Do it wondering if you’ll fail and if others will think you’re crazy.

Do it anyway.

Whether you want to start a business or ask a friend over for coffee, fear will tell you not to do it. Fear will tell you all that could go wrong. Fear will convince you not to take the risk.

I’m begging you to do it anyway.

When you do it scared, you come alive. When you hide in fear, you die inside.

When fear feels like a straitjacket, remember you’re not at its mercy. You can make a decision about what’s most important to you – being safe while wondering “what if,” or taking a risk and saying, “Let’s see.” You will always regret what you didn’t try, and you will always wonder what might have been. Don’t regret and don’t wonder – DO.

Do it scared. Do it with questions. Do it even if no one else knows and if you’re completely unequipped.

Do it when you’re convinced you’ll fail, and do it when you don’t know the next step.

Do that thing that’s gnawing at your insides. Pursue that dream that just won’t go away. Chase that part of yourself you’ve pushed down since you were a child. Have the courage to become who you’ve been longing to be. Make that decision fear has convinced you to ignore.

And do it today.

Fear will tell you there’s always tomorrow. Fear will tell you to think about it more. Fear will make you think you have forever.

You don’t.

You have today, and you have a decision.

Will you or won’t you?

Do it. Do it scared. Do it trembling.

But do it.