That was the question I asked myself on vacation with my wife, right after we tried snorkeling for the first time.
I’d been to the ocean before, but never beyond dipping my toes in. This time, I was determined to dive in. We had been wading and swimming for a while when a resort staff member offered us snorkel gear.
On paper, it should have been an easy “yes.” I love water. I love swimming. I love aquariums and watching fish glide through their world. Snorkeling would let me combine all of those passions into one incredible experience. But paper doesn’t account for hesitation. It doesn’t account for the quiet voice that says, Maybe not today.
Fortunately, my wife gave me the gentle push I needed. Moments later, I was floating in the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by a dazzling blur of colors and shapes. The fish were mesmerizing, the water felt alive, and the vastness of it all was humbling.
In that moment, I realized how close I had come to letting fear steal something I might love. And that made me wonder: What else in my life am I missing out on because of fear?
When you think about it, some of the most meaningful things, businesses, success stories, world-changing ideas, unforgettable books and movies, lifelong friendships, and even love, exist on the other side of fear.
So today, I want to encourage you: Don’t let fear be the reason you say no. Give the thing that scares you an honest try. You might just discover one of your new favorite things.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
“FEAR, fear’s a powerful thing. I mean it’s got a lot of firepower. If you can figure out a way to wrestle that fear to push you from behind rather than to stand in front of you, that’s very powerful.” ~ Jimmy Iovine