Fortune Favors the Bold
In my 19.8333 years of life, I have come to learn that fortune favors the bold, and if you don’t believe me, stick around so I can prove it to you. Let me first start by saying that my equation for achievement has a 100% success rate. Use with caution because once you start, you just can’t stop. Secondly, I’m willing to share my experiences under one stipulation: you must take a leap of faith when you’re finished reading. I know you’re probably close to peeing your pants from excitement, so I won’t stall any longer – I present to you: my foolproof recipe to get what you want.
There are some things, let’s call them theories, that you should know before we break this equation down. First, is the Law of Attraction. If you’re unfamiliar with this principle, go do some reading. I’m semi-kidding, but for those of you that are clearly lost, it basically says you have the power to turn your thoughts into your reality. If you think it’s too out-there, another way of framing it is simple: have an abundance mindset. It’s not rocket science: those who believe they can, will. Those who believe they can’t, won’t.
The second concept has presented itself in various aspects of my life, but the most recent being in Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. If I could quote the whole book, I would, but I’ll keep it short and sweet by saying that nothing really matters. Nothing matters in the sense that you’re thinking, at least. We are all here for a finite amount of time, so why waste it on minuscule trifles? This is very important to keep in mind.
Drumroll for the equation you won’t cry at the kitchen table with your dad about….
Confidence + shoot your shot + 0 f*#$ mindset = success*
*here we are defining success as achieving your desired outcome, most times with unintended (positive) consequences
Confidence
The first ingredient in this recipe is undoubtedly confidence. You must believe in yourself if you expect others to do the same. Quit it with the pity parties and negative self talk and start believing you can do the things you dream of. At the end of the day, you’re your biggest cheerleader. Act like it
2. Shoot your shot
I guess this would be the final “step” but nonetheless, it’s a simple addition equation… you get the point (I hope). I’m not even going to ask you what you’re scared of because I bet I can guess: rejection. Did I get it right? Yeah, some say I’m psychic. For real though, what’s the worst that happens? Someone says “no?” Oh boo-hoo. At least you can stop wondering.
3. 0 f*#$ mindset
We made it to the final variable: having absolutely zero, and I mean ZERO, f*cks to give. You’ve got to let go of all the irrational fears that are holding you back. I know you might be rolling your eyes, mumbling under your breath that “it’s just not that easy,” but it is. Stop making excuses. If you want it, do it. You quite literally have nothing to lose.
Now that we’ve established and explained the equation for success, I’ll provide you with examples (just like I promised).
A few months ago I agreed to babysit for my neighbor. After asking for my rate, and telling her $20/hour, the wife told me that was much too high. We negotiated, I babysat for a few hours, and when I left, it was to my surprise that her husband did indeed pay me $20/hr. Simple example, 100% success rate.
My senior year of high school I decided to move from my small-ish hometown in Rhode Island to a slightly larger town in southern Florida. Every single person advised against it, but I knew it was the right decision to be made. After my 18th birthday, I signed the transfer papers and hoped on a one-way flight to FL. It wasn’t clear then, but it is now: fortune favors the bold. That decision single-handedly redirected my entire life’s course (I mean no sh!t right?) From then on it was a domino effect of abundance: I made friendships with girls I now call my best friends, I secured a job at heaven on Earth (a.k.k cyclebar), my mental health skyrocketed, and the list goes on.
At the start of the semester, I was informed my sorority would be having our first date function! With no bachelors in mind, taking one of the girls was looking like the only viable option…. Until…. I decided to DM a google form to a friend-of-a-friend inquiring if he’d be down to go. After a bit of confusion on his end, he eventually accepted the invite. The rest, ladies and gentlemen, is a story for another time. The point is, fortune favors the bold.
You may be asking yourself, “what if I get rejected?”, “ what if they say ‘no’?”, “how are you sure this will be successful?” In all honesty, I don’t have answers to those questions. As with anything, there is a possibility for rejection or denial, but that should not discourage you from trying. It’s basic statistics. The probability of you succeeding is higher if you try than if you sit in your room wondering what would happen if you try. At the end of the day, maybe your ego gets a little bruised, but who the hell cares? Life is way too short to spend your time waiting for opportunities to fall in your lap. Be a go-getter. Be confident. Be optimistic. But above all, be bold.
