Believing that failure is not an option limits you. It stops you from doing valuable things.
Feel the fear and do it anyway
Whenever I feel like I’m hiding or protecting myself, I repeat a script: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Some call this bravery, some call it determination. At its root, it’s about perspective and awareness. Many of us try to avoid consequences, but if we reframe them, we can call them “learning” instead. Assume the best intentions and be sensitive to others’ struggles, but don’t let that stop you from doing what you need to do for your own progress.
The lizard brain tricks us into not acting
Whenever I have that feeling like I’m hiding, or protecting myself, I repeat a script that says, “Feel the fear and do it anyway”. Some call this bravery, some call this determination. At its root level it’s about perspective and awareness. Consequences for many of us are something to be avoided, but if we reframe it we can call it “learning” instead. Assume the best intentions, and be sensitive to the plight of others, but don’t let that stop you doing what you need to do for your own progression.
Ask what’s the next step
Bring others along in your journey to learn, fail, and suck. When they see you doing it, they’ll feel empowered to do the same. Then the words “fail” and “suck” will fall away because we’re all in this together—messy humans fumbling our way toward courageous innovation. In meetings, it’s important to have action items. These can inspire the fear of discomfort, but don’t let that stop you! An action item means others trust you to accomplish it. Trust is vital to bravery.
How can I help you? Seek out action items
I wrote about living in the space of “How can I help you”. This doesn’t mean you should over-stretch yourself, because burning out results from ignoring your need to rest. It does mean you should always stay open to help, even if it means redirecting a colleague to someone else.
Be brave and ignore your lizard brain
Lean into your discomforts and you’ll get more used to doing it. Eventually, a cold dip will become a part of life, and you’ll start to crave that feeling, enjoying the benefits that pushing yourself brings.