#Trust30 Day 9: Too scary

Afraid to Do by Mary Jaksch

The other terror that scares us from self-trust is our consistency; a reverence for our past act or word, because the eyes of others have no other data for computing our orbit than our past acts, and we are loath to disappoint them. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson says: “Always do what you are afraid to do.” What is ‘too scary’ to write about? Try doing it now.

(Author: Mary Jaksch)

At risk of sounding like a whiny child, I never feel I have enough confidence in my life and it can often scare me. I feel as if there is always something missing, something I should be better at, something I should have done better. Even at the moment of success, when others are praising me, I will find myself wondering why I didn’t do this or that better.

This lack of confidence can also lead me to avoid opportunities if they are just a bit outside my comfort zone. Then, of course, I kick myself for not taking advantage of the opportunity, so now I have 2 ways to blame myself.

I do push beyond this at times and almost always to my benefit. It requires that I be in a good place — a good mindset — when the opportunity presents itself, otherwise I might just ignore it as “not in my abilities.” as I have with others.


#Trust30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on your now, and to create direction for your future. 30 prompts from inspiring thought-leaders will guide you on your writing.

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