Have you ever stopped yourself from doing something because you were afraid of what others might think? It’s something I’ve spent most of this year getting over — putting myself out on social media, speaking at various events, cold calling the highest level people in business and the celebrity space.
Let me make this concept more tangible. In 1962, Chamberlain shattered basketball history by scoring 100 points in a single game. No one has ever matched or surpassed this in over 60 years. Surprisingly, a significant part of that feat was accomplished with an unconventional move: 28 of his 32 free throws were made using the “granny shot”—an underhanded style typically scoffed at. Chamberlain was well aware that this technique worked, improving his shooting percentage significantly. However, despite the clear results, he later abandoned it, explaining that he was embarrassed by how it looked.
This story isn’t just about basketball. It’s a lesson in overcoming the fear of being judged for how we achieve our goals. Many of us fall into the trap of doing what feels socially acceptable instead of what works best.
But something else I heard recently: “We rarely get criticized from those who are successful in a given area, but more often from those standing on the sidelines.” I love that so much.
Fear of embarrassment and judgment are hurdles to greatness—especially relevant for anyone striving to do something bold and different. If you adopt the “granny shot” approach to life, and let go of the fear of embarrassment, you can achieve things others won’t even attempt.
