1️⃣ Ask a stranger for a high-five.
2️⃣ Request a discount at a store—even if there’s no sale.
3️⃣ Tell a stranger it’s your birthday and see if they sing to you.
4️⃣ Ask a coffee shop for a free drink “just because.”
5️⃣ Request an item that isn’t on the menu at a restaurant.

For most of my life, I was terrified of failure.

I wasn’t just afraid of getting a bad grade or making a mistake—I was paralyzed by the idea that if I wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t good enough. If I wasn’t guaranteed success, I didn’t even try.

That fear ruled my decisions. I avoided taking risks, speaking up, and going after opportunities that could have changed my life.

Have you ever stopped yourself from doing something because you were afraid of getting rejected?

Maybe you didn’t apply for a job you really wanted because you thought you weren’t qualified.
Maybe you didn’t ask someone out because you assumed they’d say no.
Maybe you didn’t share an idea because you feared being laughed at.

Rejection is something we all face at some point in life, and yet, it’s often something we try to avoid at all costs. Whether it’s the fear of being told “no” in a professional setting, or the anxiety around rejection in our personal lives, it can feel overwhelming.