Fear of snakes.
“I hate snakes.”
– Indiana Jones
“HERE BE DRAGONS.”
That’s what they used to put at the edge of some maps, to show the unknown parts of the oceans that hadn’t been explored and seemed too frightening even to contemplate.
If there really had been dragons out there — sure, watch out! And if you encounter a cottonmouth or a cobra — get away!
But all too often I let myself be scared off from things (projects, situations, challenges, . . .) by my preconceptions, even when a moment’s reflection would reveal that those ideas are clearly founded upon ignorance.
See that little fella in the picture? He couldn’t hurt you if he tried. But if you’re ophidiophobic . . .
What are the “snakes” you irrationally fear?
What are the “dragons” you fear out of ignorance?
~
(Photo by Benimoto.)
Category: The business brain3 Comments so far
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You know, Tim, I’m not so worried about the Dragons of Ignorance. I’m more concerned about the Dragons that VP Quixote keeps trying to slay to justify his cushy office. ;)
“Our fears are like dragons, guarding our most precious treasures.” Rainer Maria Rilke (by way of Ray Wylie Hubbard)
It’s quite a coincidence that the first replies have been to *not* answer your questions. :) These are crucially helpful questions if we take the time to get really useful answers for ourselves, ones that would likely take more than the thought needed for a glib reply to a blog post.
I know, scratching at the surface of mine, they relate to being surpassed in the eyes of others in *certain* ways and compared to *certain* persons. For instance, if I failed to become a master carpenter, I’d never think twice about it, and conversely I wouldn’t feel like a success if I did reach such a level in that field.
The point is to get specific until you get that epiphany. The more light you get on the danger facing you, the better chance you have of knowing what it may take to defeat it. “Failure” is general and relative and keeps that dragon hidden in the darkest part of the cave.
Failing at what? Against whom? What does success look like for you specifically? Is it a healthy goal or are other dragons steering you down a path you think you want just because the other way looks too dangerous?
It seems like, due to the nature of the subject, the best answers to these questions for ourselves will likely only come after some serious sweating over these questions. But difficult I think it would be for us to find a more profitable sweat than that.