Fear is Friction
Which is why you need to lube-up.
As Mr Newton vividly described centuries ago, friction impedes motion. And as humans, motion — running, doing, acting, achieving, completing, conquering — only happens through action.
So why do we let friction impede our action so much?
Think about grabbing a coffee. Simple, right? Nope. We overthink it a thousand times. Want to ask her out? Hello, fear. What if she can’t stand me? Wear something out of the box? What will people say?
Our every move, or rather, our lack thereof, is riddled with this friction.
Fear. It comes in all shapes and sizes, all courtesy of our own making. Childhood, upbringing, our current rut, our resistance to change — they all play a part. It’s painful, it’s real, and it’s often self-made.
Which is why you give in. Which is why you don’t ask her out. Which is why you are where you are and not where you want to be.
But what if we channelled this force? Friction is a force, remember — just acting against you, instead of for you. What if you lubed-up (pun intended) and bit the bullet? What if you fight your own demons, however much it hurts in the short term, soak it up, and fly hard and blind into the unknown?
And what if you did this everyday until fear becomes your friend.
Fear is an indicator — not a state of mind.
It’s an instinct, not an action. It’s meant to be conquered, not coddled. Validate it, learn from it, then beat it down. Don’t let it take the reins.
Do it.
Aim to drop jaws.
Fight it with all your might.
And watch friction propel you forward.
