I’ve never read Lean In, so I can’t comment on the content at all, but I’ve seen a number of people talking about how fear holds us back from accomplishing the things we want to do, or keeps us from our dreams. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about achieving dreams, and I agree that being afraid is what holds me back from, well, everything. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of what others will think.

What would I do if I wasn’t afraid?

I would travel around the world, to exotic places.

I would write my book, learn how to pitch it, and keep pitching the crap out of it until someone smart published it. And then I’d write another, and another, and another.

I’d be more confident in myself and my abilities. All of them.

I would tell the people who’ve hurt my family that they are awful, selfish, terrible people who have missed out on watching my amazing kids grow into caring, kind people.

I’d ask more questions.

I’d say “no” more often.

I would talk to more people.

I would dump the negative people in my life, once and for all.

I’d be sure to see the people I love more often.

I would shout my stories from the rooftops.

I’d get more tattoos.

I’d learn to scuba dive.

I’d take singing lessons, and learn to play the guitar and piano.

I’d always speak up to protect those who cannot.

I’d stop giving any shits about the numbers on the scale.

Why am I afraid? My dreams don’t seem so crazy that I have to hide from them.

What would you do?