Fear Votes for Hesitation

The year was 1901 and President Teddy Roosevelt - one of the bravest patriots of American history and a symbol of masculinity - was afraid. He was afraid to have dinner with a black man - Booker T. Washington - in the White House, as it would end up being the first time that an African-American would dine as the President’s guest. President Roosevelt was scared that his racist donors would drop him, voters would leave him, and he’d lose the next election. But that fear was the exact reason he decided to do it.

August 09, 2024 • Reading Time:3 minutes

The year was 1901 and President Teddy Roosevelt - one of the bravest patriots of American history and a symbol of masculinity - was afraid.

He was afraid to have dinner with a black man - Booker T. Washington - in the White House, as it would end up being the first time that an African-American would dine as the President’s guest.

President Roosevelt was scared that his racist donors would drop him, voters would leave him, and he’d lose the next election.

But that fear was the exact reason he decided to do it.

❝

Our fears point us, like a self-indicting arrow, in the direction of the right thing to do.

- Ryan Holiday

The dictionary tells us that the opposite of ‘fear’ is confidence.

But I say it’s comfort.

Think about it… comfort = predictability = control = stagnation

While on the other hand, the more we do things that make us afraid - that make us fear the outcome - the quicker and more intentionally we evolve.

In response to his decision of having dinner with Booker T. Washington, President Roosevelt said this:

“The very fact that I felt a moment’s qualm on inviting him because of his color made me ashamed of myself, and made me hasten to send the invitation. As things turned out, I am very glad that I asked him, for the clamor aroused by the act makes me feel as if the act was necessary.”

In other words, President Roosevelt saw the for what it was - a sinister scheme by the natural universe to keep him from becoming more than he currently was.

Not only that, but President Roosevelt also recognized that his inclination to hesitate was fear casting its vote.

Why Should You Care…

Fear and shame have a stake in all of our lives, and newsflash: they’re not rooting for you.

So the next time someone or something tells you to run away from fear and seek comfort, safety, and conformity, you do the complete opposite.

Go all in.

Take the risk.

Move quicker than ever before.

Damn them all.

Do it.

By the Way…

I just dropped a new Youtube video!

Every week, I put out a video with three random thoughts from my week - three things that I think will bring you closer to being the man you want to be.

This week, those three things were:

  • what we can learn from Roger Federer

  • the importance of liking yourself

  • doing the thing today

… and I’d be really grateful if you checked it out!

As always, I appreciate your guys’ support and am humbled that you would let me speak into your lives - even if it is just once or twice/week.

If you enjoy my content, feel free to pass it on to somebody you think could benefit from it!

Until next time… YOU DA MAN!