Changing the world by trying. Living passionately. And a bit on student life.

When I was younger, I did a fair amount of competitive public speaking (ended up finishing 2nd nationwide at one competition).

Turns out public speaking is great life school. Looking back, here’s what I can say:

That nerve-racking, tingling sensation you get in your gut is the best indication you’re doing things right. The more intense, the better. It’s an indication you’re doing work that matters and you’re pushing through were most have abandoned. Seth Godin calls it the lizard brain, that primitive part of your brain that wants you to shut up and be like everybody else.

Becoming good at public speaking not nearly as difficult as you might imagine. So is getting your startup running, learning origami or playing the violin. The hardest part is getting started: just do it.

Failing is not that big of deal. My biggest lesson: get over yourself. We systematically overestimate how terrible failure would be. As soon as you start paying attention to your inner chatter and buying into the “what-if” scenarios, you’re toast.