Advice From a Coward

byLesSimmons

232 followers

8 years ago

September 20, 2016. Remember this date, because I'll be talking about it again later. But, before i do, there are some other things i have to get off my chest.

I have to admit, the biggest obstacle to my success has always been myself. Sure, life has thrown roadblocks in my way from time to time, but no more than most people i would think. Actually, I've had fewer than many. So i have to ask myself, what is it that makes me different from, or inferior to, the many people who have overcome their own obstacles, and created for themselves lives full of success and financial freedom?

The answer, i believe, is fear. Let me back up a bit, and explain.

I'm a fortunate guy. Intellectually, things have always come naturally to me. On top of that, I've been blessed with creative talents in the areas of both music and art. Since it already sounds like I'm bragging, i might as well tell you that I'm also fairly charismatic, and even a bit witty. In short, i have all the natural tools i could possibly want or need to be successful, regardless of what endeavor i choose to pursue. Well, maybe not dancing. I'm woefully uncoordinated when it comes to dancing.

I'm not bragging, though. The truth is, i have nothing to brag about. I'm now 42 years old, and i make $26,000 a year if I get 40 hrs every week. To put that in perspective, the 2016 federal poverty guidelines for a family my size (4) put the poverty line at $24,300 annually. The difference between my income and being technically impoverished is about $36 a week. That's how close i am. So if all those other wonderful things i mentioned about myself in the previous paragraph are true, what the heck happened?

The answer is definitely fear. I say this because I've had a million and one ideas about how i could build my success. I say this because I've had opportunities to shine. But, when things became difficult, or when i didn't see instant results, i quit. I was afraid to keep trying, because i was afraid to fail. I was afraid to keep putting in the effort, because i was afraid i was wasting my time. I was afraid of what the people i cared about thought when they saw me pursuing some crazy new idea, or even some established ideas (like real estate, for instance), that did not come with a guarantee of success or income. And most of all, i was afraid of letting my family down by not providing for them with a steady, guaranteed weekly paycheck.

But, let's examine those fears:

• Afraid to fail? I've already demonstrated by my nearly impoverished state that choosing the "normal" route has been a failure for me. And, any time i've quit on an idea, I've failed automatically.
• Afraid of wasting my time? My time has only ever been wasted on those occasions when i have refused to learn from my mistakes and experiences. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. Well, i doing know about insanity, but it certainly seems like that's a fair definition for wasting time.
• Afraid of what people think? By living in this semi-impoverished state, i have consistently been a burden on those who care about me. I wonder what they think about me now? I wonder what they say about me when I'm not around? Now, contrast that with what those same people would think about me if instead of quitting, i actually pursued my dreams with all of my heart and all of my strength, refusing to quit until i succeeded. Even if i never achieved my ultimate goals, i would at least have their respect.
• Afraid of letting my family down? My children are basically grown now, and i regret the difficult life i have provided for them by choosing the "safe" route. They have never lacked for love, but, i have to consider the ramifications of the example i have set for them. I want them to believe that they can achieve anything they set their heart on, but my actions have demonstrated otherwise.

So here's some advice from a coward. Don't cheat yourself or your family. Don't fail by quitting because you were afraid to fail . Don't waste your limited time here by not giving it your all. Don't fail to try because you're worried about what others think. Finally, don't fail to set the most positive and powerful example you can for your children.

So what does any of this have to do with September 20, 2016? It's the date i joined Wealthy Affiliate. A year from now, i WILL look back and say, "This is the day I confronted and overcame my fears. This is the day i changed my life."

Till we meet again,

Les