I love this cool phrase I learned from my parents

I love this cool phrase I learned from my parents

One of the coolest phrases I learned from my parents was: “What’s the worst that could happen?”

I remember sitting around the dinner table and telling them about something we’d learned at school, and they’d say, “Why don’t you write that up and send it to the newspaper?” (Back then, the Sacramento Bee had a section called Sidetracks that published work from students.)

Inevitably, I’d have some whiny answer as to why I couldn’t do it (no time, nobody will read it, waaa).

And then my parents would hit me back with this: “What’s the worst that could happen?”

When they said it once, I ignored it.

When they said it 5 times, I procrastinated.

When they said it 10 times, I tried it.

And that’s what started to take the fear of failing away. What’s the worst that could happen? Some random gatekeeper says no? So what!

Oh, I look stupid? I looked stupid for the first 25 years of my life. Who gives a shit?

I’m glad they forced me to try things out of my comfort zone. Without it, I’d be one of those neurotic over-thinkers who focuses on all the things that could go WRONG…instead of trying things and seeing what can go RIGHT.

Hence, me looking like a moron while trying trapeze.

Pls update my bio to include trapeze star

A video posted by Ramit Sethi (@ramit) on Dec 23, 2016 at 11:42am PST

Or showing off my amazing new dual-monitor system.  

DUAL MONITORS #baller A photo posted by Ramit Sethi (@ramit) on Aug 8, 2016 at 6:37pm PDT

The point is…

…what’s the worst that could happen?

One of my goals this year is to show you the power of trying something new now — to help you really internalize the joy that comes with trying something new (and even being bad at it).

For most of us, it’s been years since we really tried something new and experienced the flailing feeling of not knowing what’s going on.

So — what do you want to do this year?

Travel to Italy and fly business class?

Start an online business and generate $25,000?

Take a family trip and let your parents relax while you handle everything?

Let’s do it. What’s the worst that could happen?

-Ramit

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