What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to?
I have a dream. In it, I am inspiring millions with my witty insights on personal development and sharing my message with the world, and my hair looks fabulous throughout.
There is one small problem, and it is fear. Fear of judgment, fear of failure, and fear that someone will screenshot the exact moment my voice cracks mid-sentence and turn it into a viral meme.
I want to create videos where I share my thoughts on personal growth. The thought of actually putting myself out there, however, makes me want to crawl under a rock and hibernate until the next ice age.
I know what they say. “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” “Growth happens outside your comfort zone.” This is easier said than done when your comfort zone comes equipped with noise-canceling headphones, a lifetime supply of popcorn and reruns of “The Office.”
But here is what I am slowly starting to realize:
- Perfection is a Myth (and a Pretty Annoying One at That): Nobody is perfect. Those YouTubers with the carefully curated lives and the witty banter mess up too. They probably have an entire blooper reel hidden from the world, and it is probably far more entertaining than their actual videos.
- Vulnerability is Strength (Even if it Makes You Feel Squishy Inside): Letting people see your imperfections is actually rather brave. It says, “I am not perfect, and that is okay.” It lets others connect with you on a deeper level and realize they are not alone in their struggles.
- Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone is Like Trying a New Flavor of Ice Cream: It might be scary at first, but you could discover your new favorite thing. And if you do not, at least you tried something new.
So here I am, taking baby steps. I have created a couple of videos (please do not ask me to share them just yet), and I am slowly making peace with the awkwardness, the imperfections, and the occasional “um” or “uh.”
In the end, it is not about looking or sounding perfect. It is about sharing my message and connecting with others. And maybe I will inspire someone to step out of their own comfort zone and try something new. Durian-flavored ice cream, for example. Okay, maybe not.
