Fear And Investing In Yourself

Let’s start with a confession: the only thing standing between you and the better version of yourself is fear. Not time, not money, not even that overscheduled calendar you use as a security blanket. It’s fear. Fear of change, fear of failure, fear of looking stupid. And here’s the kicker: everyone looks stupid at first. You think Steve Jobs didn’t stumble in his garage? That Malala didn’t feel self-doubt when she raised her voice? Success isn’t about avoiding stupidity; it’s about enduring it.

The people who win — whether it’s in business, life, or a karaoke contest — aren’t the ones who dodge failure. They’re the ones who embrace it, wear it like a badge, and keep moving. They’re the ones who understand that looking stupid is just a down payment on competence. They take the class, launch the side hustle, make the ask. They show up.

Why Fear Wins — And Why It Shouldn’t

Fear is a master marketer. It knows exactly how to sell itself: “Don’t try that; you’ll fail. Stay in your lane; it’s safer.” The problem? Safety is the siren song of stagnation. Fear convinces you to bet on the status quo, and that’s the riskiest bet of all. Why? Because the world doesn’t stop evolving just because you do. The half-life of skills is shrinking, and the pace of change is accelerating. If you’re not growing, you’re falling behind.

But let’s dig deeper. Why does fear win? Because it masquerades as logic. “I don’t have time for that certification course.” “Networking events are full of fake people.” “I’m too old to pivot.” Sound familiar? These aren’t reasons; they’re excuses, designed to make inaction feel like a choice rather than a failure.

Here’s a truth bomb: fear doesn’t go away. It’s like background noise — you can’t silence it, but you can drown it out by taking action. The people who invest in themselves aren’t fearless; they’re just more afraid of standing still than they are of moving forward.

Everyone Looks Stupid at First

Let’s debunk the myth that successful people hit the ground running. Nobody’s first attempt is a masterpiece. Mark Zuckerberg’s early version of Facebook wasn’t Facebook; it was Facemash, a site for comparing women’s faces. Oprah’s first gig? A disaster. She was so bad as a news anchor that she got demoted to a daytime talk show — where she built a media empire.

The point? Looking stupid isn’t just normal; it’s necessary. Every expert was once a beginner. Every successful person has a graveyard of bad ideas, flubbed pitches, and embarrassing moments. The difference between them and everyone else? They kept going. They understood that failure isn’t a verdict; it’s a step.

The Market for You Is Hot

Here’s a wild idea: you are a product. Think about it. You have features (skills, talents, quirks), a brand (your reputation), and a market value (what people are willing to pay for your time and expertise). And guess what? The market for you is hot. Talent is scarce, creativity is currency, and the ability to adapt is worth its weight in gold. But here’s the catch: a hot market only matters if you capitalize on it.

Let’s borrow a term from finance: ROI — return on investment. Every time you learn a skill, build a connection, or take a risk, you’re increasing your ROI. You’re making yourself more valuable, not just to employers but to the world. But if you’re sitting on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to invest in you? Spoiler alert: they won’t.

Why? Because nobody cares about your potential as much as you do. Employers are focused on their bottom line, not yours. Friends and family mean well, but they have their own lives to manage. If you’re not advocating for yourself, who will?

The Fear of Change

Let’s address another elephant in the room: the fear of change. People resist change because it’s uncomfortable. It disrupts routines, challenges assumptions, and forces you to confront the terrifying question: “What if this doesn’t work?”

But here’s the irony: staying the same is riskier. Change is inevitable; the only question is whether you’re steering the ship or getting tossed around by the waves. The world is changing faster than ever — industries are being disrupted, skills are becoming obsolete, and the rules of the game are constantly shifting. If you’re not adapting, you’re not just standing still; you’re falling behind.

The Fear of Failure

Failure gets a bad rap. We treat it like a disease to be avoided, when in reality, it’s a vaccine. Failure inoculates you against complacency. It teaches you what doesn’t work, sharpens your instincts, and makes success taste sweeter.

Look at any success story, and you’ll find a trail of failures leading up to it. Thomas Edison famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter manuscript was rejected 12 times before a publisher took a chance on it. Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s a prerequisite.

Fear of Looking Stupid

Ah, the classic fear of looking stupid. Let me save you some time: everyone looks stupid at first. When you’re learning to ski, you fall. When you’re learning to code, you write buggy programs. When you’re learning to pitch investors, you bomb. The first time I gave a public speech, I was so nervous that I forgot half my points. But guess what? Nobody remembers your early stumbles except you.

Here’s the truth: most people are too busy worrying about their own flaws to notice yours. And the ones who judge you? They’re not in the arena; they’re in the cheap seats. Don’t take criticism from someone who isn’t doing the work themselves.

Take the Class, Make the Ask, Launch the Side Hustle

So, what does investing in yourself actually look like? It’s not complicated. It’s about taking action — small, consistent steps that compound over time. Take the class that scares you. Make the ask that feels audacious. Launch the side hustle you’ve been daydreaming about.

Will you succeed right away? Probably not. But that’s not the point. The point is to build momentum, to prove to yourself that you can take risks and survive. Success is rarely about one big break; it’s about a series of small wins that add up over time.

The One Stock That Never Crashes

Here’s the bottom line: you are your safest investment. Stocks crash, real estate bubbles burst, and jobs disappear. But the skills you learn, the connections you build, and the risks you take? Those are yours forever. They don’t depreciate; they appreciate.

Investing in yourself doesn’t mean reckless spending or endless self-improvement for its own sake. It means aligning your actions with your goals. Want to pivot careers? Start learning the skills you’ll need. Want to earn more? Build expertise in areas that are in demand. Want to feel more fulfilled? Spend time on activities that align with your values.

Stop Gambling on Someone Else

If you’re not investing in yourself, you’re gambling on the idea that someone else will. That your boss will notice your potential and give you a promotion. That your friends will cheer you on as you start your business. That the universe will somehow align in your favor.

Here’s the harsh truth: nobody cares about your dreams as much as you do. If you’re waiting for someone else to change your life, you’ll be waiting forever. The only person who can take control of your future is you.The

Time Is Now

If you’re reading this, you already know what you need to do. The question isn’t “Can I afford to invest in myself?” It’s “Can I afford not to?” The clock is ticking, and the longer you wait, the harder it gets. Start now. Take the first step, however small, and watch as the world starts to shift in your favor.

The market for you is hot. But like any market, it won’t stay that way forever. Capitalize on it. Learn the skill. Build the network. Take the risk. Invest in yourself, because you’re the one stock that never crashes.

Hi there, I’m Brian, and in addition to this Medium, I wrote Talk Tech To Me. I take on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplify them for the modern recruiter.