#66 - Pockets of Perspective
Sep 3, 2024
Why do we wait so long to take a chance on ourselves?
This episode is about catching a moment where your perspective shifts. When you hear something that makes you stop in your tracks and contemplate life and how quickly it can change. When you feel a spark or an idea that makes you think differently or dream bigger.
Will you do the thing you want to do but are afraid of? Will you take a risk?
Will you take a chance on yourself?
Pockets of Perspective: Why Fear of Failure Shouldn't Stop You from Trying Something New
We all have those moments—seeing someone play guitar and thinking "I'd love to try that," or watching a sport and imagining yourself doing it. But then fear creeps in. Fear of looking stupid. Fear of failing. Fear of judgment from others.
Here's why those pockets of perspective, those moments when you want to try something new, are exactly when you should take action—regardless of fear.
The Guitar Story: A Lesson in Taking Chances
I bought a guitar this week. I don't play guitar. I've never played guitar. I have no musical background whatsoever. But I saw my sister's guitar, played around with it (terribly), and felt that spark—that "I want to try this" feeling.
Immediately, the fears started:
"I'll be terrible at it for a long time"
"People will wonder why I think I can play guitar"
"I'm not musical—what's the point?"
But here's the thing: I'm not picking up guitar to become the next Zach Bryan. I'm doing it because it sparked my interest, and that's reason enough.
The Stagnation Trap
After college, we tend to become stagnant. We find our comfortable routines, our established friend groups, our reliable hobbies. We stop trying new things. Not because we don't want to, but because:
The fears feel bigger than the potential rewards.
Fear of judgment from others
Fear of failure and looking foolish
Fear of discovering we're "not good enough"
Fear of wasting time and money
These fears keep us in our comfortable boxes, missing out on experiences that could enrich our lives in unexpected ways.
Why September Matters
September feels like a second January—summer ends, life picks back up, routines reset. It's a natural time for reflection and change. Maybe you're starting a new job, moving to a new city, or just feeling that itch for something different.
This transitional energy is the perfect time to try something new.
Pockets of Perspective: Finding Courage in Tragedy
Recently, I heard about Johnny and Matthew Goudreau, two brothers (one a professional hockey player) who were tragically killed by a drunk driver the night before their sister's wedding. Stories like this stop us in our tracks and remind us:
Life is incredibly fragile and can change in an instant.
These moments give us what I call "pockets of perspective"—brief windows where we see our fears and hesitations for what they really are: often irrational barriers to living fully.
The Dash on Your Gravestone
A TikTok video recently put this into perfect perspective. The creator pointed out that on your gravestone, there's just your birth date, your death date, and a dash in between. That dash represents your entire life.
Key insights from this perspective:
No list of accomplishments or failures appears on your headstone
In 500 years, no one will remember that embarrassing thing you did
That one failure won't define your legacy
Life is literally represented as a single dash—why waste it worrying about judgment?
The message was simple but powerful: Life is too short to not follow your interests because you're worried about what others will think.
Common Reactions When You Tell People About New Pursuits
When you tell someone you're trying something new, expect:
Confusion and skepticism
Questions like "Why?" and "What led you to that?"
Comments like "Let's see how long you stick with this one"
This is normal human behavior. People often react negatively to change—even positive change—because it challenges their own comfort zones. Don't let their reactions discourage you.
The Worst-Case Scenario (It's Not That Bad)
Let's be real about what could happen when you try something new:
The "failures":
You send that email and they don't reply
You ask someone out and they say no
You apply for the job and get rejected
You pick up that guitar and suck at it
The reality: None of these outcomes are actually that bad. The worst that happens is you discover something isn't for you, but you still tried.
The alternative: Wondering "what if" for the rest of your life.
Why "You're Too Old" Is a Lie
Age is often the biggest excuse we use:
"I should have started this in my teens"
"Everyone else has a head start"
"It's too late to begin now"
The truth: You're never too old to try something new. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.
Practical Steps to Overcome Fear and Try Something New
1. Start Small
You don't need to commit to becoming a professional. Just try:
One guitar lesson
One art class
One dance session
One new sport
2. Reframe the Goal
Instead of "I want to be good at this," think:
"I want to explore this interest"
"I want to see if I enjoy this"
"I want to challenge myself"
3. Embrace the Beginner's Mindset
Accept that you'll be bad at first
Focus on progress, not perfection
Celebrate small improvements
4. Find Your Why
Ask yourself:
What drew you to this?
What's the worst that could realistically happen?
What would you regret more—trying and failing, or never trying at all?
The Hidden Benefits of Trying New Things
Beyond the obvious skill development, trying new things offers:
Mental Benefits:
Builds resilience and adaptability
Increases self-confidence
Provides stress relief and mental stimulation
Social Benefits:
Meets new people with shared interests
Expands your social circles
Creates conversation topics
Personal Growth:
Discovers hidden talents or passions
Breaks you out of comfort zone routines
Provides a sense of accomplishment
Creating Your Own Pockets of Perspective
You don't need to wait for tragedy to gain perspective. Create regular moments of reflection:
Daily Practice:
Ask yourself: "What am I avoiding out of fear?"
Visualize your future self—what would they want you to try?
Weekly Check-ins:
What interested you this week that you didn't pursue?
What's one small step you could take toward something new?
Monthly Challenges:
Pick one new thing to try each month
It doesn't have to be big—just different
Questions to Ask Yourself
When you feel that spark of interest in something new:
What's really holding me back? (usually it's fear, not practical concerns)
What would I tell my best friend in this situation?
Will this matter in 10 years? (the answer is usually no)
What's the smallest step I can take to explore this?
Your Call to Action
The next time you develop that new perspective, that spark of interest in something you've always wanted to try—go for it.
Don't let fear of failure or judgment keep you from writing your story the way you want to write it.
This week, challenge yourself:
Identify one thing you've been wanting to try
Take one small step toward it
Tell someone about it (accountability helps)
Remember: I'd rather be seen trying than know I never tried.
Final Thoughts
Life really is just that dash between two dates. You get to decide what fills it.
Your story isn't written by your successes or failures—it's written by your willingness to try new things, to risk failure, to step outside your comfort zone.
So pick up that guitar. Take that class. Send that email. Ask that person out. Apply for that job.
The worst thing that can happen is you discover something new about yourself. The best thing that can happen? You might just surprise yourself with what you can do.
What are you going to try today?
For more motivation and practical advice on overcoming fear and pursuing personal growth, listen to Guyset - A Guy's Guide to What Should Be Talked About. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Send your "I finally tried it" stories to josh@guyset.com
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Website: Guyset.com
Email: josh@guyset.com
See you guys next Tuesday.
