I remembered that I had a Substack account just now and got really excited to write something again!
It crossed my mind today for some reason that the phrase “whats the worst that can happen, all they can do is say no.” That phrase is something that kind of allows you to take any kind of leap. That phrase allows you to have courage if you believe it enough. When it comes to talking to people and either asking for help or looking for a new friend that phrase or thought can allow you to throw caution to the wind and be who you want to be.
For instance, there are some things that I’ve been putting off for a while. All of a sudden I just was like “you know what, I’m going to get this done”. Because I decided to do that the only other barrier that was left was need for the assistance of other people to get it done. Now I had that under utilized tool in my belt that I forgot about and went ahead and asked for help. A place and a time was made with a couple different people and now I’m on my way. Not even a problem any more. Its quite interesting to me.
Procrastination that just paralyzes you for no reason, handled in a couple text messages and its over and done. No problem. There are so many people including myself that are like this always putting silly things off to the future for no real reason. Its some sort of barrier that is built within ego that shouldn’t exist. I think to myself “Well they think I should already have done that so I can’t ask now. They’ll think I’m terrible.” This thought is the one that paralyzes, at least for me. Paralysis by self imposed ego and expectations. Expectations that I artificially put into other peoples caricature of themselves.
My brain just constantly thinks that they must be sitting over there keeping tabs on me, keeping score of my every move. I have this feeling especially if a task that needs to be done has anything to do with that person. The truth is regardless of what they actually think they live their own lives with their own stresses and if I ask for assistance or something like that from them they aren’t going to be the ones that go “GOTCHA!!”. That just isn’t a thing.
So hopefully I’m taking a step forward on this and will be more productive because of it.
Don’t be afraid of what people might think, they’re living their lives too.
"Don’t be afraid of what people might think, they’re living their lives too." Love this line, Zach. You've done a very nice job of sharing something quite personal, but something that everyone who reads it can relate to. Putting things off is a thing that will forever be a part of our lives, but we do finally reach a time when we can throw caution to the wind more often. Keep putting your thoughts into words. It will mean a lot to you (and others) down the road.