Real achievement and satisfaction comes from doing things we have never tried or done before — because we think we lack confidence or we are afraid of failure and worried what others might say.
There have been multiple occasions, in my 37+ year career, when I hesitated to take up so-called difficult assignments — whether it was news reporting, writing and ghostwriting, editing, conferencing or interviewing people — because I thought I couldn't do it. I went ahead and did them anyway, at least most of the time.
As it turned out, the fear of failure was (and is) in my head, not in my skills or my ability to deliver results. As for outside judgments, they have little influence on my actions or results.
Conversely, few things at work or in other professional efforts bring a profound sense of satisfaction and inner joy than successfully executing a project that seems daunting at first.
This is the most significant growth we will experience in our careers, where the rewards far outweigh our initial fears.
◼ It pushes us out of our comfort zones and into not-so-unfamiliar territory.
◼ It helps us to overcome imaginary obstacles and accomplish things.
◼ It builds resilience and strengthens our ability to bounce back from setbacks, and adapt to changing circumstances.
◼ It broadens our knowledge and expands our skill-sets and capabilities, while simultaneously reducing our apprehensions and fears towards future endeavours.
◼ It leads to a shift in perspective from "I don't think I can do it" to "I would love to give it a shot (at least it won't be for want of trying)."
Neale Donald Walsch, author of the Conversations with God series, said: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
The reality is that we will never know till we step out of our self-imposed limitations and welcome new experiences and outcomes, whatever they may be.
You have a well-taken point. The greatest achievements we have sometimes start with, 'I'm not sure I can do this, but...' That's why, I think, it's so important to set goals, even if they'll push us out of our comfort zones...
Margot, thank you for commenting. I can't imagine how much we, including myself, can achieve professionally and personally if we only eliminate our fears and self-doubt and boldly do the things that we think we can't do.
You have a well-taken point. The greatest achievements we have sometimes start with, 'I'm not sure I can do this, but...' That's why, I think, it's so important to set goals, even if they'll push us out of our comfort zones...