Doing Things We’re Afraid Of, Can Make Us Better

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Come to think of it…

It might be what’s stopping us from reaching that potential

Or bringing that idea to life

Earlier this year, I jumped out of a perfect aeroplane.

Okay, that’s not entirely true. I spent almost an hour hyperventilating in the hangar and contemplating every life decision that led me to this place before finally dragging myself onto that plane.

But here’s the thing: I did it. Me — the person who once called in sick because I had to give a five-minute presentation at work.

Fear is that funny feeling: It’s sitting in the bottom of your stomach, reeling off all the reasons you shouldn’t do it. Convinced. It’s got ready PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, and a whole TED talk about why you should just stay in your comfort zone.

But what it won’t tell you, is how alive you’ll feel when you finally tell it to shut up.

Just do it — I tell myself.

I started this year with a ridiculous promise to myself: do one thing that scares me every month. Not big things necessarily — just things that make me sweaty or anxious, and my heart race a little.

Let’s be real, for some of us, making a phone call counts as an act of bravery.