Truth Or Dare

We know that a dare is a challenge that requires us to demonstrate courage in order to accomplish it; to take a risk, as it were. Perhaps you have previously played the good old "truth or dare?" game with a group of friends, and when it came around to you being given the responsibility to choose one, either option would always feel a little uncomfortable. You would have either had to reveal something perhaps private, secretive, or awkward, about yourself, that you preferred not to share, however you knew the game was about being totally honest, or you were given a task or action, that was very upfront, confronting, and maybe even put you at risk to potential harm or injury. Although, if played sensibly, it's a game that poses no risk to our health or life, it's a great little tester in measuring our courage, to an extent anyway, whilst incorporating some fun and socializing with our friends into it. It drags us out of our comfort zone, and forces us to do something, or say something, that we wouldn't normally do or say, nor would we feel comfortable in doing or saying. When all is said and done though, once into the game, that initial discomfort and awkwardness soon turns into a few laughs and some good fun. As our friends begin to start revealing some truths, and start engaging in some dares of their own, we become a bit more relaxed, and we soon understand that we all each have our own secrets and fears. We also begin to understand that steeping out of our comfort zone isn't as bad as we assumed it would be. Initially, things were awkward and uncomfortable, but soon become fun. We parted with that barrier that was holding us from having fun, and kept us in discomfort. Once we let go of that care and fear, it became enjoyable. If only we responded the same way in real life.

What holds us back from believing that stepping out of our comfort zone can actually bring us enjoyment, satisfaction, happiness, and success, in life? We concern ourselves so greatly in thinking that we will make a fool of ourselves, we will fail, our lack of knowledge in something will expose us, people will laugh at us, or we will only end up feeling disappointed, because we are sure to fail. We worry about the fact that because we are inexperienced, or new to something, that we are not going to be in control of the situation, and we despise that feeling of not having some level of control. Just because we haven't done something before, and we assume something will be unenjoyable and successful, doesn't mean it will be. The truth is, what starts out uncomfortable, only ends up becoming comfortable, the more we involve ourselves in it. It's like when we start driving a car for the first few times. We start off paranoid that we are going to crash, or lose control of the car, or the like, yet after a few weeks and months behind the wheel, we can't help but relishing in the freedom of being able to drive ourselves, and driving soon becomes second nature to us. Anything new, or any changes we make, always feel uncomfortable and awkward at first, yet we soon begin to wonder what we were ever fearful of in the first place, and we end up being thankful that we took the plunge. There are countless times that I have dreaded having to go somewhere that I really did not want to go, or having to do something that I really did not want to do, and it made me feel so anxious and uncomfortable, yet after having been there, or done that, many times these such instances ended up becoming some of the best and most enjoyable experiences of my life.

One thing we don't do anywhere near enough of, is dare ourselves. We don't set challenges for ourselves, nor give ourselves the opportunity to demonstrate and measure our level of courage. We are too reserved, continually erring on the side of caution, purely for the fact we are adamant that the worst result will eventuate. What's even worse is that many of us lack will power, drive, and motivation, to get off our butt and chase down our goals, hiding behind the reason of risk, as to why we choose not to proceed. It's interesting we always see the risks involved in proceeding with certain opportunities, decisions, and actions, that have the potential to bring us success and happiness, yet we don't even consider, for one moment, the risk we are taking, by not proceeding. Do we just assume that a better opportunity will come along? There will always be opportunity before us, in some form or another, but without the courage to take risks, and then take action, no opportunity is ever going to be the one we are hoping for. We can't simply expect guarantees with anything in life, nor be assured that any opportunity will deliver the results we seek, because any genuine opportunity will always require lots of hard work, commitment, dedication, and patience. Opportunities don't just generate results automatically. If our goals truly mean something to us, we are genuinely driven by them, and we are absolutely determined to achieve them, then why aren't we daring ourselves to do what's needed to pursue them? Why aren't we taking risks, and why aren't we prepared to do what's needed to achieve our goals?

Okay, so let's address the main issue, being fear. As I mentioned above, we automatically assume the worst will happen, and that scares us big time. The thing is, what we are fearful of isn't exactly a case of life and death, it's a case of life and existence. What I mean by this is, that if we are continually taking risks, taking action, working hard, remaining perseverant, and progressing in some form towards our goal, we are creating a life for ourselves. That reward is a life blessed with happiness, success, fulfillment, and prosperity. If we aren't taking risks, taking action, working hard, being perseverant, or committing to what is needed to achieve our goals, we are not creating a life for ourselves whatsoever. We are merely existing, spending our days breathing and functioning, yet void of happiness, success, and satisfaction. That is not life! Reward doesn't come without risk. You need to be daring to be truly successful. We are holding ourselves back by fear, when it's courage through which the results are found. Some of our fears are just so petty, and insignificant. Such fears include being concerned about how others will perceive us if we proceeded with a certain opportunity, or we made decisions in our own best interest. We are worried about them judging us, or criticizing us, talking to others about us behind our back, and the potential that we may lose their respect, support, and love. We are scared we will lose them from our life altogether. We are also paranoid at the fact they may mock us, laugh at us, and tease us, if we were to fail. Who honestly cares what other people think? If they can't support you and believe in you, then you are probably better off without them.

Then there's the fear of not being good enough, not having the skill or knowledge to turn an opportunity into success. We start to doubt our abilities. Maybe another fear is that of failure, as the thoughts of how we would feel, and how we would cope, at the realization of failure. Finally, one of the biggest fears of all, that halts the majority of people from taking a risk, is financial loss. The thought of potentially investing in an opportunity to achieve their goals, or a business perhaps, only for it to fail, scares the hell out of people. What if I end up penniless? What if I end up going bankrupt? What if I can't even afford to pay my bills? What if I lose all my hard earned savings for this? These are all the questions that swirl through people's heads when considering an opportunity that requires investment, and I can assure you that most decent goals will always require some amount of financial investment. I'll be 100% honest with you here, and tell you that you will be in an absolute extreme minority if you didn't fail somewhere on the journey towards your goals, or in accepting an opportunity. Likely, there will be many times of failure. That fear of failure is real, because it does come true, however it's also a clear sign you are on the pathway to success, because you are trying. You would be pretty damn fortunate if your first action worked to create the immediate success of your goal, or within a couple of months. It's not usually normal. Most people have to work hard, sacrifice, and remain patient for many years, before they achieve the success they desire. In that time, there are many failures, rejections, and setbacks, yet those who go on to succeed are the ones who are resilient, determined, driven, positive, and who continue to dare.

Failure is not the end of the world, like many people believe it to be. In fact, failure is not even failure unless it's made to be, otherwise it's simply just an action that didn't work, and an important period of learning. These challenges and hardships aren't fun, and they do dent our spirits, because we are hungry for that success, but when we work to overcome them, we grow and we strengthen ourselves. They end up being extremely beneficial to us, even if we don't see it at the time. Don't be afraid to take risks in investing in your goals and your future, because you are at least progressing forward and working towards that goal, rather than being cautious and going nowhere. Don't even fear going into debt, as many before you, who have ever succeeded, had to go backwards before they could ever go forwards. Money can always nearly be recovered, provided you remain committed to achieving your goal. It may not be in the timeframe you hope, and you may need help at times, but you can produce astounding rewards off the back of perseverance and hard work. It all starts with dare though, being bold and courageous enough to take risks in a bid to achieve your goals, and a future you desire. That saying "fortune favors the brave" wasn't stated as a joke or just for fun, it holds true meaning. Yes it's scary, yes it will feel uncomfortable, yes you will feel awkward, and yes you will have to do things you really don't want to do, but even the discomfort of taking risks becomes comfortable in time. Take the dare, be brave, and do whatever is needed to start creating an amazing future for yourself! If it's truth or dare, then take the dare, because the truth will only prove you can't succeed without taking risks.

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