For many of us striving for success means avoiding failure at all costs. Our fear of failure often keeps us on a tightrope – afraid to experiment or take risks. We tread close to the tried and true, what we know, the way it’s been done before. We hesitate to venture into the unknown.
We have each experienced some degree of failure in our lives; the memory of which lingers long after we have moved on, obstructing the thrill of experimentation, the adventure of uncharted waters and the joy of discovery. But deep within us lives the percolating question
– What if…?
Our experience with both success and failure is what allows us to become experienced enough to know what works and doesn’t. But over time, fear kicks in and we stop seeing the opportunity in obstacles.
Taking risks allows us to reap great rewards. Think of the inventions that might never have been discovered if we did not explore past what we know: from the Pace Maker to digital music downloads; from space travel to razor scooters - each discovery, from the simple to the significant, started with someone asking “What if we tried this?”
There is freedom in experimentation – coloring outside the lines – taking a step in a new direction and looking at things in a new light. Push away your fear of failure and embrace the adventure. Who knows where it will take you!

Reprinted from Revolution Me!