No Fear of Making Mistakes?

As part of my assignment while reading, "How to think like Leonardo Da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day" (AWESOME BOOK!!!) for my "Adult Learner" course at Siena Heights, I've been tasked to answer the question:

What Would I do differently if I had no fear of making mistakes?

Woah ...

Is that even possible?

The thought alone brings me anxiety!

But here I go ...

IF I had no fear of making mistakes ...

• I would have LESS anxiety. 

• I would go to work every day in a good mood. Currently I've been making many mistakes at my job and it's been awful. I go to work every day clenching my fists and wondering, "What will I fuck up today?" I want to cry 70% of the time because I'm insanely scared I'm going to screw up, and it will be the last time. But if I didn't have that fear, I'd be enjoying my job and not worrying about who is going to be upset with me or wondering, "Does everyone hate me?" If I didn't fear making mistakes, it would be a completely different, possibly even enjoyable job

• I would be okay with taking my son off his meds to get him possibly rediagnosed. I wouldn't fear what 'could' happen while he was off those meds because I know whatever happens would only contribute to a more accurate diagnosis. And I wouldn't fear that diagnosis. I would count it as a step towards a successful life for him.

• I would stop worrying about how good I'm going to do at school and whether or not I can actually handle the course load. I'd just do the work to the best of my ability and be happy with the results, even if that means I don't get A's in every course.

• I'd apply to new jobs, even though I don't have a Bachelor's Degree, even if it means taking less money than I earn right now, because at least I'd finally be working in the field of Communications.

• I might even move out of state to help my husband follow his dreams.

• I'd hire someone to personally teach my son so I could stop worrying about the schools failing him, and I wouldn't be upset that the money was going towards that instead of our long term goals. Even if this is unrealistic, I'd try.

• I'd color my hair myself. Put in high lights like I used to. Get rid of those grays.

• I'd stop worrying so hard that I'm not parenting my children well enough and I'd stop telling myself that I'm failing them all the time.

• I'm not gonna lie, I'd probably eat gluten more often. :)

• I'd actually eat more often because I'd stop worrying that every meal I eat is going to add another number onto the scale and then another number to the size of my pants.

• I'd go through day-to-day life without a huge weight on my shoulder as if I'm waiting for the next ball to drop ANYWHERE in my life because I forgot something, or I did something wrong, or I just failed to think of the obvious. I'm so guilty of those three things that every day is a battle to keep from worrying about what mistake I'll make next and wondering how badly it will impact not only my life, but the lives of those I care about.

• Honestly, I'd probably be much happier. And honestly, so would the people around me.

I could probably list more, but I think I've already gotten the point of the exercise. 

Fear of making mistakes can really cut into overall happiness and keep us from doing things that could be a huge success if only we stopped being afraid of the potential of failure.

In the last few months I've been trying to consciously be less afraid of failing, but I now see that subconsciously I'm already holding myself back.

Will I stop being afraid to make all these mistakes? In all honesty, I don't even know if that's possible. But that won't stop me from trying. From starting small, like not being afraid to go to work every day. A small start is better than no start at all. And it's a hell of a lot closer to becoming a happier, more successful person!

What would you do differently if you had no fear of making mistakes?