Living Beyond “What If?” summary

Taking a risk can be hugely rewarding. But knowing which risks to take is the real skill. For Davis, it was a stint in HR that provided the opportunity she’d been looking for to rethink her life’s path. It just took a moment for her to see it. 

She’d been offered an amazing promotion to a different department. But at first, she flat out didn’t want anything to do with it. She was comfortable with her 40-hours-per-week lifestyle, and she didn’t think she needed to learn new skills. She especially didn’t want to work weekends. 

Why is it that so many of us fail to realize our dreams? Well, it often boils down to one word: procrastination. In other words, we tend to put off doing things we know we should do, whether it’s taking out the trash or going to the doctor. 

The best-selling author James Clear believes that a phenomenon called time inconsistency helps explain why we procrastinate. Time inconsistency refers to the human tendency to value immediate rewards over future rewards. 

As humans, we’ve all felt fear at various points throughout our lives. But did you know that a lot of that fear is learned behavior? In reality, we’re born with only two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Everything else is either taught or acquired. 

Sometimes fear is based in reality. But other times it’s just a figment of the imagination. One thing is for certain: it’s impossible to live your dreams when you’re living in fear. 

Once you’ve faced your fears, it’s time to continue making your dreams come true. After Davis conquered her own fears, she reestablished her life plan by fostering the right relationships – starting with herself – and building the courage to take risks. 

She also created a new yearly ritual: after the Christmas festivities, she uses her annual bonus to go on a Caribbean vacation – just for her. 

Humans are social creatures: we need good relationships to be successful. But if you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll find it hard to do the same for others. To be and do your best, you must build your self-confidence. Realizing your dreams becomes an act of self-love. 

To determine if you’re in a good relationship with yourself, consider these questions: Are you true to yourself? Do you accept your flaws and mistakes, and choose not to dwell on them? Are you kind to yourself and others? Do you take care of your mental and physical health? Do you manage your finances responsibly? And, finally, are you grateful for what you have?