About this quote

Fear often points to the exact action that will move you forward. Pick one small, concrete thing you’ve been avoiding and do it today — practice beats waiting for courage. You’ll learn where your limits actually sit once you act, and the next hard choice gets easier. What single step are you postponing right now?

When to use it

• At my annual performance review at work I remembered 'Always do what you are afraid to do' and asked for the raise I'd been avoiding.
• Before defending my thesis I whispered 'Always do what you are afraid to do' and started the presentation even though my hands were shaking.
• At the running club signup I told myself 'Always do what you are afraid to do' and signed up for the 10K race I’d feared I couldn't finish.
• When I needed to talk to my partner about our budget I used Emerson’s line to steel myself and opened the conversation honestly.