Going Out on a Limb...

"Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is." -Mark Twain


The above quote, although written long ago, is just as true today.  Most people like to imagine obtaining the sweet fruits of life, yet very few are willing to take a risk and move beyond their safe zones in order to obtain what they want.  


This makes sense of course.  There are risks involved with going out on a limb to get what you want.  The limb might not be steady, the fruit might not be what you had hoped for, and you could always fall a long ways down.  However, if you truly want something and think it is worth reaching for, doesn't it make sense to not let your fears and doubts hold you back?  Fear is learned, and many people have learned to fear taking risks, being taught instead that they should stay in their comfort zones and just wait for fruit to fall into their lap.  However, anything that falls will only be what remains after those who were willing to go out on a limb have left behind, or missed only by chance.


Is this really what you want for your life?  Do you really want to wait and hope that something will fall into your lap, or do you want to make things happen for yourself?  Do you want to sit on the ground and know that you never took a risk, or would you rather live your life knowing that you were willing to go after what you wanted.


Above I said that fear is learned, but remember that success is learned as well.  You can choose to become a student of success, learn to control your fear, and put yourself on a path towards accomplishing your goals.  Do not just sit there gazing longingly up at the fruit that you crave.  Stand up, climb that tree, and go out on that limb to get what you seek.  The fruit will taste even sweeter because you will bite into it with the knowledge that you were not one of those people who waited for something good to fall into your lap.