# Being brave. Grabbing opportunities

By [Maggi Xu](https://paragraph.com/@maggixu) · 2024-08-21

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Today, let's chat about a "Winning Mindset" in my books. Being brave, when you see a glimpse of opportunity that excites you.

I just witnessed a major mindset shift in me. And I think it's worth sharing.

In my 20s, if something got me excited (ex. a quick call that turned into a potential job offer to work with a public company CEO on a startup), my auto-response goes, "do I have all the experiences they're looking for? I may not be good enough. So, let me just pass on this."

At the core, this is a lack of confidence. A fear of an attack to our ego. By passing on this opportunity, at least I won't fail, I won't feel bad about myself.

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I've since done a lot of work on how I handle fear and disappointments. And how I value myself.

My current mindset? "Great, I found something that interests me! Why don't I try it first?"

Then, I'd follow through with being an A+ preparer and researcher. Research on the person I'm talking to, the team I'll be speaking with, the vision of the product, the current market and competitors, typical expectations for the role, summarizing my past work experiences and how they may fit into this new role.

It may seem like a bit of work, but it gives you the one thing you need. Confidence.

True confidence radiates, and others can feel it. This confidence will take you over that gap between where you stand, and where that opportunity lies. This confidence will help you seize that opportunity, and elevate you to the next level in this game called life.

The view from the next level, my friends? Wider, better, far more interesting.

So, do some inner work, and don't let fear hold you back.

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*Originally published on [Maggi Xu](https://paragraph.com/@maggixu/being-brave)*