Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.

Seth Godin recently posted a blog titled "Check-In, Chicken."  And while I'm not actually part of a small, closely-involved team that would have check-in meetings every morning (or even once a week, although maybe we should consider it), his suggestion is good for even an individual level.  So here goes:

What are you afraid of?
I'm afraid of failure - that everything I've done in my life and in my writing career to date will not be enough for the job I'm doing, and I will disappoint everyone (myself included).  In my mind, I'll run dry of ideas, be unable to contribute any further, and become a leech or burden to the company.  Conversely, I'm afraid that the company will decide I'm no longer providing what they want, to the standard they want, and I'll be let go without explanation.

I know these are unreasonable fears.  Growing up, I received approval based largely on my performance.  I know that I am able to (and most of the time do) outwork my peers, especially in the past decade as "my peers"have become increasingly less reputable.  And I know that I want to learn, I want to improve, I want to be taught and guided.  So I have nothing to fear except fear itself.  (Right? *Worried face)

I'm afraid of success - there are several new relationships (work, social, housing) that have the potential to be long-term - longer term than I've ever experienced.  Talk about new realms of scariness...

According to a New York Times article, 20-somethings these days have at least seven jobs before they turn 30.  I'm happy to only have accounted for half of my job quotient (although I have four more years till 30 arrives).  I personally would like the stability and routine of a long-term job.  I would also like to buy a house - I desperately wish to tear down wallpaper and repaint and buff floors and rebuild stairs without asking permission.  And I would like a stable, fulfilling relationship.  But it would take me pages and pages of writing to record all the even more terrifying things that go along with these desires.

Hi, I'm Jess, and I'm a chicken.

Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.

Just when you think the world is on its way to hell in a handbasket, one individual redeems (and inspires) us all a little.

East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta has pardoned the men who attacked him a year ago.  Dr. Ramos-Horta suffered from three serious bullet wounds and was put into intensive care in Australia last February after a group of rebels assaulted his home.  He has fully recovered, and now he is pardoning his attackers.  He says they are victims of the unrest and chaos in the country.  According to the Timor News Line, Dr. Ramos-Horta has issued a call to the rebels, asking them to work with him for the peace of their country.

I don’t know enough about East Timor’s recent history, about Dr. Ramos-Horta, even about the rebels themselves to make a judgment on the president’s actions.  But I believe that he feels his decision will encourage his people and engender a spirit of understanding.  He’s taking a lot of flak for his actions – especially from inside his own government – but I applaud him.  No one knows what will come of the rebels being pardoned – Dr. Ramos-Horta is taking a chance.

Seth Godin, marketing guru, is all for taking chances.  And his risk principles came to mind when I read about Dr. Ramos-Horta.  Godin points out that, statistically, an initial risk is easy and has sure (if somewhat small) rewards.  However, going that second step and doubling risk also doubles reward.  Encouraging clients who have taken a risk on your company or product will inspire them to feel a little gutsier.  And don’t we all love to talk about how gutsy we are?  By being risky yourself, you have generated talk about your company or products.  And talk, Godin says, is one of the best ways to become remarkable.  Check out Godin’s blog on this principle: Risk/Reward Confusion.

Here’s to Dr. Ramos-Horta – may his risk bring double rewards for East Timor!