Do the scary thing

I love running in the early morning. It’s ultra peaceful. All the stars look crisp and magnificent in the dark before the dawn. It often feels otherworldly. It’s no wonders the ancients used to worship the lights in our sky.

As peaceful as the dark morning is, it’s also unnerving. While I love cold easy morning jogs around my neighborhood, doing a track workout in the dark is something I’ve avoided.

I was scared frankly.

I worried I would trip myself or I'd stumble over something full speed and sprain an ankle (again).

Like a lot of fears, this one was irrational. The risk is well worth the reward of having more time to train.

So I did the scary thing.

This was no big deal of course. But it’s a small example of something I heard Caroline Paul talk about on the Rich Roll podcast the other day.

You’re only scared of the thing that hasn’t happened yet.

For example you might be scared to go into the woods. Once you’re in the woods you might be scared of seeing a cougar. Then you might be scared of being attacked by the cougar and on and on. You’re not afraid of the thing that is happening. You’re afraid of what might happen.

So often in life when we are scared of doing something the solution is to do the thing. Have that hard conversation. Ask for the promotion. Share your story, scars and all. Ask her out.

Whatever the scary thing is that you’re not doing. Go do it and see what's on the other side. Chances are it will be far less scary from the rear view mirror.

Onward towards tomorrow

-Daniel Otto Spencer Polehn