After going through more than 50 episodes of rejection therapy, I have been through a lot. I stood in front of a crowd giving a speech, made an announcement in an airplane over 100 passengers, and knocked on strangers’ doors. I started to feel so fearless that I could ask for anything from anyone. However, when my wife suggested that I ask my waitress for a dance in the middle of a restaurant, I started sweating like I was in a Turkish bath. After mustering my courage, I made the request. Here is what happened:
Former NFL star Jason Taylor said “doing (Dancing With The Stars) is actually more nerve-wracking than a game day in the NFL“. I’m not a star but I can somewhat relate to it now. I kept thinking why this one was so tough for me? Is it because asking to dance with a woman is an inherently difficult act for a man? Or is it because dancing in the middle of a crowded restaurant is potentially embarrassing? Or is it because I am really bad at dancing in general? In any case, I tried the same thing again in a parking lot, and felt so much more at ease. My ‘practice’ paid off.
Learning: No matter how difficult, scary or absurd the situation is, practice helps. If you are hindered by fear of rejection, or anything else, just do it, and do it again. You will get better.
HA! Well done, mate!
I dare say your fear was more self-consciousness than anything else. We all think that when we go out on the dance floor that other people are watching us and judging us. Eventually we figure out that they’re thinking the same thing and we relax.
I salute you for coming so far in these last fifty-odd days.
You know, I’m surprised you haven’t asked a zoo worker if you can pet one of the animals. Not a lion or a bear or anything like that, but maybe a lemur or a sloth, something that won’t take your head off if you move too quickly.
Keep moving forward!
Please be patient on the zoo one. It’s on my list and I will need to figure out the timing… I will plan a trip for it.
Jia, that was really interesting. You were drinking that soda like you were wishing it was a shot of tequila and looking soooo nervous beforehand. But you did it and when she said yes, you could immediately see the tension relieved. Good going on stepping WAAAY out of your comfort zone!
Wow! That one was inspiring my friend. Way to be brave.