"آیا از ترس فلج شده‌ای؟ این یک نشانه خوب است"

Being frozen with fear—yeah, it actually can be a good thing. It might sound odd at first, but let’s unpack that.

The heart of this idea is simple: fear means you’re pushing yourself to the edge of your comfort zone. It signals that you’re on the brink of something significant, where real growth happens. When you’re scared, it usually means you’re about to do something that matters.

Imagine you’re about to give a big speech at work. Your hands are shaking, your stomach’s doing somersaults, and you’re questioning why you ever agreed to this. That’s the fear talking. But that’s also the signal that this moment is important. If it weren’t, you wouldn’t care so much.

Let me give you some context. This perspective isn’t new. Throughout history, many achievers have recognized the importance of fear. Take Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena” speech. He praised the person “who strives valiantly; who errs…because there is no effort without error.” Fear is part of the effort. It means you’re in the arena, battling it out.

Now, think about learning to ride a bike. There’s that moment at the top of the hill where you’re scared stiff. But if you let that fear stop you, you’d never know the exhilaration of flying down with the wind in your face. My friend Sarah lived this. She was terrified of public speaking. Heart racing, she forced herself to speak at a local meet-up. Her voice trembled at first, but she pushed through. Now, she’s a keynote speaker at industry conferences. Her fear was a sign she was on the right path.

So how can you use this wisdom? Next time you’re scared, don’t retreat. Recognize it’s a signpost. Break the task into smaller steps. If public speaking terrifies you, start with smaller audiences. If starting a business seems overwhelming, begin with a side project. The trick is to keep moving forward, even if it’s just baby steps.

Here’s a story to bring it home. Picture this: You’ve always dreamed of traveling solo but the thought scares you. What if you get lost? What if something goes wrong? Your friends suggest a group tour, but deep down, you know that’s not what you want. So, you book a flight. You’re a bundle of nerves at the airport, second-guessing your decision. But then you land. You navigate the new city, meet locals, and experience things you’d never have on a group tour. By the end of the trip, you’re not just a traveler—you’re someone who faced their fear and came out stronger.

So, next time fear has you in its grip, remember: it’s a good sign. It means you’re about to do something worthwhile. Embrace it, and let it guide you to greater things. You’ve got this.