There is a well-known illustrated book written by Charlie Mackesy titled, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Most pages have just one sentence, but the story is filled with lessons.

While walking on his journey, the boy says to his friends, “Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid.” The mole responded, “Most of the old moles I know wish they'd listened less to their fears and more to their dreams.”

Of the many lessons in this book, this is one that stuck with me most. Instead of asking questions like: What if it doesn’t work out? What will people think of me? What if nobody cares to listen? I find myself asking the question, What would I do if I was less afraid?

Because that changes the approach to all of those questions.

What if it doesn’t work out? becomes: What if I never end up trying?

What will people think of me? becomes: What will I think of myself?

What if nobody cares to listen? becomes: What if I never end up having anything to say?

When I make decisions in my life, thinking of what I would do if I wasn’t afraid shifts the context. Because to me, a life spent wondering what you could have done or who you could have became is much scarier than actually trying to see for yourself. As the mole told the boy, it isn’t the fear that stays with us as we grow older. It’s the regret.

When you think of that project you always wanted to start, the video you always wanted to make, the conversation you always wanted to have, ask yourself this:

What would you choose if you weren’t afraid?

Until next time,

Ryan