I FAILED MY WAY TO SUCCESS. – THOMAS EDISON

Have you ever marveled at the fearlessness of little children? The way kids pick up on technology, skiing, swimming and second languages is extremely impressive. It might seem slightly odd, but to challenge ourselves to that aspect of youth might help us live fuller, longer, more fulfilled lives. Elizabeth Holmes, in the Wall Street Journal explains; “There is much to admire about the way children learn, with open minds and fewer worries about mistakes. Adults, on the other hand, often think through a new skill in great detail before trying.”

Adults have to balance what we already know with potential new knowledge and it can seem overwhelming when we first start down a new path. We, unlike children, are very aware of potential danger. We’ve heard the stories of broken bones at the ski resort and the potential for injury when we dive right in to the swimming pool. Yet what actually prohibits adults from trying and learning new things has more to do with a fear of failure, than a fear of actual injury.

OUR DOUBTS ARE TRAITORS, AND MAKE US LOSE THE GOOD WE OFT MIGHT WIN,
BY FEARING TO ATTEMPT. – WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Mint.com encourages us in a blog article to overcome those fears of failures. “Many of us have probably experienced this at one time or another. The fear of failing can be immobilizing – it can cause us to do nothing, and therefore resist moving forward. But when we allow fear to stop our forward progress in life, we’re likely to miss some great opportunities along the way.” Regret is harder to deal with than trying, and not succeeding because it leaves us with feelings of self-doubt, guilt and disappointment. If learning a new language were something you have always wanted to do, it would be better to slowly learn than to never begin at all.

It’s true that children can memorize and pick up new lessons more so than the average adult but even slow learners are still moving forward, engaging in new adventures and living a fuller, more fulfilled life. What have you been scared to learn or do? Maybe it’s time to embrace your inner-child and jump.

IT IS HARD TO FAIL, BUT IT IS WORSE NEVER TO HAVE TRIED TO SUCCEED. – THEODORE ROOSEVELT