“It’s OKAY to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.” ― Mandy Hale
Many of us support the notion that “being scared” is only experienced by children who believe there are monsters hiding under the bed.
While I agree that the fear of monsters, and other frightening creatures conjured up by our overactive imagination, disappears as we get older, that doesn’t mean we no longer know what it’s like to be scared.
You may not know what it’s called, but all of us have a comfort zone.
Author and thought leader Roy T. Bennett says, “The comfort zone is a psychological state in which one feels familiar, safe, at ease and secure.”
Breaking away from what’s familiar and safe can often be emotionally crippling to adults. It prevents us from forming new relationships, advancing our careers and experiencing personal growth.
Bennett goes on to say that, “You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
So, being scared isn’t just for children. It’s for any one of us who’s dared to take a chance and do something beyond our comfort zone.
Maybe that’s starting a new business, joining a club of interest, taking on a new job or even going back to school. Whatever the circumstance, the unknowns and self-doubt are enough to scare even the strongest of people.
But as Hale states above, “Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.”
I’m proud of all of us, who each and every day are casting off the shackles of our comfort zone and doing something brave.
Yes, it’s a little scary in the beginning, but the personal rewards and fulfillment far outweigh the fear.
In the words of A. A. Milne, “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”