Today was so funny. Not “hehe haha” funny but still funny.

You know why? Because last week, I chose my blog topic, but work has been so hectic that I remembered everything else and I mean everything else asides from what I wanted to write about.

So I headed out of work, ransacking my brain. “It must be somewhere”, I thought. And as I got out of my office building, I suddenly remembered when I felt a breeze of fresh air against my face. It’s funny right?

But I already had something else I wanted to write about.

As I waited for the train, I brought out my phone and thought about how much I’ve been stretching myself lately. I’ve stretched myself in unimaginable ways that even I am surprised at.

I think a part of this comes from wanting to always go the distance. Choosing to go the distance hasn’t always been easy.

It has cost a lot. Sweat, blood, fear, ego, pride, energy and even negative behaviors I had to leave behind. I always try to apply this to all facets of my life.

And when I do, you know the question I always ask myself? – what’s the worst-case scenario?

Just last week, I got a crash course on this lesson. My friend’s father was in town, so we planned to meet at an official dinner he was invited to. Think of those dinners with the crème de la crème. You know you can’t enter without an invitation. I knew this was the case but guess what, I still dressed up like I was an invitee.

I got to the venue and saw him. It was nice and we sat outside. Suddenly, he told me what I already knew. He said:

“Let’s stay outside. You can’t go in. The invitation is for me only.”

I resisted and said no. I didn’t wear a fancy outfit to come all the way and sit outside.  So, I said:

” Let’s try.”

He looked at me like I was crazy, and I asked him:

“What’s the worst-case scenario?”

So we got up and went to the door man who I figured was a Nigerian. I tried swooning him, but it didn’t work. My friend’s dad tried talking to multiple people.

Eventually, they let me in, and I was shocked and thankful at the same time.

I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t tried. I wouldn’t have entered. Trying got me far.

The truth is often; we’re scared of taking the leap. The thought of rejection makes us indecisive or even withdraw.

But I’d rather be rejected and take a decision than remain indecisive. And you know what I’ve come to realize, rejection and the worst-case scenario simply take you back to your starting position.

So what do I have to fear? Nothing.

I have nothing to fear.

If there’s nothing to fear, why does “the idea of nothing” make us so afraid?

I once spoke to someone who talked about fearing rejection but rejection means nothing except reverting you to your status quo.

This has been a game changer for me, and I hope it is for you too.

You have nothing to lose from being rejected since you go back to your original position with more information. 

But you have more to lose from indecision or never trying. Embrace rejection my friend because rejection doesn’t change a thing about you.

So, the next time you catch yourself hesitating, ask yourself what the worst-case scenario is.

You’ll probably still be outside but hey, at least you tried the door.