So many of us live our lives walking a tightrope of safety. We stick to what’s familiar. We go to work each day, even when we don’t enjoy it. We continue doing the things we’ve always done—not because they bring us joy, but because we’re afraid of what might happen if we try something different.
So many of us live our lives walking a tightrope of safety. We stick to what’s familiar. We go to work each day, even when we don’t enjoy it. We continue doing the things we’ve always done—not because they bring us joy, but because we’re afraid of what might happen if we try something different.
That fear of failure keeps us locked in a cycle of mediocrity.
But what if failure isn’t the worst-case scenario?
What if the real tragedy is never trying at all?
Back in 2011, actor and comedian Jim Carrey gave a now-famous commencement address at Maharishi University. During his speech, he said something that hit me right between the eyes:
“You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”
That’s not just a clever line. That’s a truth bomb.
We spend so much of our lives working jobs we don’t like or staying in situations that don’t inspire us—because we’re afraid that chasing what we really want might not work out. But Carrey’s point is this: there’s risk on both paths.
If failure is possible either way, why not choose the path that sets your soul on fire?
This is your reminder: it’s OK to take a chance on yourself. In fact, you should.
You might stumble. You might face challenges. But you’ll also grow. And most importantly, you’ll know that you’re living a life true to yourself.
When you bet on yourself, you’re investing in someone with limitless potential.
Jim Carrey’s message wasn’t just a motivational soundbite. It was a challenge—to stop settling, to stop playing small, and to start betting on what truly matters.
You have the power to choose passion over fear, fulfillment over safety, purpose over routine.
So, ask yourself today:
“What would I do if I believed I couldn’t fail?”
Then start moving in that direction—one bold step at a time.
Thanks for reading.
—George Wright III
Want to hear Jim Carrey’s full commencement speech? Watch it here.