I'm not really an old dog.. though in my office I'm in the top 10 for the over 40 crowd. More and more I am admiring some of the fearless approaches to challenges that my younger peers are taking.
It seems to me, and I don't know if this is too broad a generalization, that fear of failure doesn't stop them from trying new things, new tactics, new approaches. Whereas, I was raised to follow the book. Keep my head down and my nose to the grindstone. Don't volunteer suggestions to the boss unless asked.
There have been many days in my workplace of late- when I feel completely torn between the two approaches... Be myself or Be Safe.
One more thought that comes to mind about this conundrum- how can I set an example for my child to be brave, forward-thinking and creative-- if I constantly (sometimes too rigidly) provide step by step procedures on the how to for everything from doing laundry to playing with fonts in WORD.
While I pondered this.. I decided that -- I know I need to learn new tricks to stay vibrant in the workforce, and in life... but moreso.. that I need to be willing! to learn new tricks and maybe even fail once in awhile.
Have you tried a new approach at work lately? Learned a new skill? What inspired you to try? I hope some of you will share your thoughts on this blog.
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When I turned 40 I decided to say YES! I felt that I was letting fear stop me from doing things I wanted to do so I decided the next time I was asked to do something I wanted to do, but I was shying away from it because of fear, I would just say yes and do it. It has been a real eye-opening experience. I have said yes to public speaking and loved it. I wish I had tried it earlier. I have put myself out there by blogging and writing and have enjoyed that too. I didn't know I could do it. This later part of my life has become more interesting because I am more willing to take risks. I haven't always been successful in everything I've tried, but I've been enjoing myself much more.
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