I constantly find myself in situations where I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. I sign up for something — a play audition, a local reading, or line dancing — thinking it sounds fun.
When the day comes, I find myself standing outside a door with knots in my stomach. Sometimes I push through that fear and get to have a wonderful experience. Sometimes I don’t.
I’m obsessed with these moments because I believe the way we respond to them shapes the lives we live. When I look back at the choices that had the biggest impact on my life, there was almost always a moment like this, where I was terrified but decided to move forward anyway.
In 2025, I made a podcast where I spoke with guests about something they always wished they could do, but were scared to pursue. We talked about why they haven’t done it yet, and agreed on a goal for them to work toward.
After talking with so many people about the nexus where ambition meets insecurity, I’ve learned some valuable lessons about resilience and success.
