Friday, April 1, 2011

Fools Rush In...

I get asked these questions many times. "Is this the right thing to do?" Or "is it okay for me to ...?" Or "should I try this?"

Much more often than not, the question is being asked because the people asking do not want to take certain steps. They are afraid they will get into trouble, be seen as pestering, inappropriate, or that they will fail. Maybe they fear that they will appear foolish.

"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Alexander Pope

But history has shown us time and time again that many who have rushed in have achieved success. Success was theirs only because they had the courage to try some things even if those attempts were foolish. Even when those attempts failed. And many of these attempts were at the risk of putting everything, everything they had, everything they treasured, on the line.

"Fortune favors the bold." Virgil

Famous Failures Video

A good example of a successful person who first was thought of as a "fool" is Robert Goddard who today is hailed for his research and experimentation with liquid-fueled rockets, but during his lifetime his ideas were often rejected and mocked by his scientific peers who thought they were outrageous and impossible. Today rockets and space travel don't seem far-fetched at all, due largely in part to the work of this scientist who worked against the feelings of the time.

Click on this link for an article on 50 Famously Successful People Who Failed At First which includes Goddard.

So, why not be foolish, why not try something different, why not go out on a limb?

What have you got to lose?

Maybe you even will have to face your greatest fear...success!

If you are still afraid to take the next step, I am here to help.

Contact me at wtarrow@jvsdet.org, or on LinkedIn, and be sure to visit JVS at www.jvsdet.org.

Happy April Fools Day!!