I rather fail 100 times than play it safe [Discussion]

Submitted by TreatThompson t3_112htz4 in GetMotivated

New things terrify me. And to make it worse, the more I love them, the more they haunt me.

I wanted to learn animation and make cartoons, but that craft has so many moving parts getting started feels like climbing up a mountain.

I wanted to learn to write, but who cares what I have to say? I’m not an expert on anything. What if I just make myself look silly.

I want to learn to dunk a basketball, but if i couldn’t do it in highschool should I even try doing it now? It might be wasted time and effort.

I used to listen to all these thoughts to stay comfortable and avoid failure. But now I rather fail at everything I love than regret never trying anything I love.

At the end of life I imagine 2 possibilities running through my head:

  1. Memories of me chasing my dreams and falling short sometimes but nailing it others
  2. Thoughts of how my life could’ve turned out if I didn't play it safe

The second one is scary.

I want the reason why my ambitions didn’t work out to be because of failure, not because I didn’t even try.

If I fail I at least have closure. If I don’t try, I’ll be left wondering what could’ve been. The door stays open.

An article thrusted this mindest on me. It’s called “The Most Powerful Lessons People Learn Too Late in Life”

It had a list of things you're not going to care about when you reflect on your life.

These stuck out to me:

  • ‍How safe and practical you were: You're not going to look back and be grateful that you didn’t try starting a business or travelling the world. You won’t be proud that you simply played it safe and saved up a good retirement after working for 40 years.
  • ‍How much embarrassment you saved: You're not going to reflect on your entire life and be glad you never risked being laughed at for having an idea that's outside the box. You won't value the comfort of NOT taking a shot over the feeling of your ideas coming to life.

Now I don’t say “one day” anymore. I just start and welcome failure.

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This post was from my newsletter

I share ideas from great thinkers so we can stand on the shoulders of giants, instead of figuring life out alone

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Comments

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TreatThompson OP t1_j8k6kut wrote

I always think about this quote when it comes to this

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."—Chinese Proverb

If I wanted the success today the best time to start would've been years ago. But since I didn't, the second-best time is now.

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XueShiLong t1_j8kb4s1 wrote

“You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.” - Michael Jordan

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Doodaadoda t1_j8keshx wrote

Unless you fall literally and get a concussion and ruin your life forever... Oh wait, that's my life!

Never stop, always keep on going!

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slingslowborn t1_j8lfbab wrote

Failure. All I know is failure. My life is a system of failure. Infinitely I rise. I have no advice as I have chosen to be a Champion, no.books, no more get rich courses, tried real estate, traded cryptocurrency, worked 60 hour shifts, tried wedlock, all that is left is text, meme, audio ... me versus the data complex ... when I email fbi and cia I encourage them to quit as I will defeat them ... Apex Predator Prime Operator Mind Control Police Officer Spy ... when will this fatman batman rise as Master Chief General Alexander

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SlowdownTitoDAMN t1_j8lpugw wrote

I'm not afraid of dying. I'm afraid of not trying. So everyday, hit every wave like I'm Hawaiian.

I'll never forget that Jay-Z line.

When I first heard, I just awkwardly froze and made it a point to always remind myself to think that way.

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Big_Gas5785 t1_j8plb1d wrote

Got me inspired to take some necessary risks

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Vix93 t1_j8ui5d4 wrote

Failing is very scary, but failing tells you how to improve. Failing is just another side of winning we don't always see. At least that's what I think.

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