Don't Break the Rules...You Could Get in Trouble

I'm still surprised when I'm talking to grown adults that are so concerned about following "the rules." They have a great idea and want to do something amazing, but feel like they need to get permission because they don't want to "get in trouble." 

As I dialogue with such nervous folks I try to find out what they're so scared of. Often, it turns out they're afraid of some unlikely consequence...like accountability if their plan/project fails. 

So what! You failed, you learned, now move on. Don't be ashamed to fail. I used to avoid hard classes in school because I was afraid I would fail. So I took classes I knew I could get an A in. "A" huge mistake that now I regret! It wasn't just school, I avoided going on hikes in scouts because I was afraid I couldn't keep up. I missed many great adventures because I played it too safe.

The race to the bottom is easy to win. Everyone at the bottom chose to be there because they played it safe. They were too scared to break "the rules," to "get in trouble," to "fail." 

"Failure is not falling down, but refusing to get up." - Chinese Proverb

Thus, failure is a choice...Get over it!