Fear of failure stops us before we get started. We don't allow ourselves to even consider pursuing certain careers because we are sure we will fail. The little voice inside our head does a masterful job of squashing our inner desires. Want to be a doctor? Don't bother, you'll never get into medical school. Always wanted to be a newscaster? Forget about it -- you are not good looking enough. Thinking of running for office? Good luck, you'll be torn apart the press. (Okay, maybe that objection is hard to dispute).
But, what would happen if you allowed yourself to dismiss the internal critic, even if just for a day? Almost like magic, all sorts of options could be open for consideration. Instantaneously, your world of wishful thinking would be transformed into an arena of possibilities and probabilities.
By removing the fear of failure, you'll gain insight into what you truly value and be better equipped to separate your fantasy dreams from your meaningful visions.
Let's be real -- some dreams are best left as fantasies. What if you could wake up tomorrow and (voila!) be a successful movie star? Would you really want to face the paparazzi and live in Los Angeles? Or is just the allure of celebrity and status that seems exciting? Play around with your new "reality" for a while and take note of your emotional response.
Other dreams, the ones that stick with you over time, that never fail to ignite a fire in you -- those are the pursuits worthy of exploration. Write down your reactions to the different elements of living your new life. Look for the clues to the real motivators in this situation. Maybe you'll discover that your desire to be a doctor is driven more by a love of research than a desire to meet with patients. Or, you might realize that you'd be willing to trade the higher earning potential of being a surgeon for the less lucrative, but more personal aspects of being an internist.
I'll be the first to admit that this exercise is pure fantasy. But, so what? The fantasy you create will give you clues that can be incorporated into your "real" world. Go ahead and indulge yourself. It won't cost a penny and the "What if?" "Wouldn't that be nice?" and "Now, that would be amazing!" thoughts it generates could lead to a truly fantastical future.
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