Hope is a Good Breakfast, But a Bad Supper!

Here’s a question for you: have you ever held back from sharing an idea or taking a risk because you were afraid of looking foolish? ??I am guilty of it many times.

I’ve been reflecting on a quote that has stuck with me:

"Hope is a good breakfast, but a bad supper."

At first glance, it seems simple enough. Hope, like a hearty breakfast, gives us the energy to start the day—fueled by optimism and ambition. But by supper time, if all we’ve done is hope without action, it leaves us feeling unsatisfied and hungry for more. ????

But what often holds us back from turning that hope into action?

More often than not, it’s the fear of looking foolish—a fear that has more power over us than we care to admit.

Why We Fear Looking Foolish?

The truth is, humans are wired to avoid embarrassment like it’s a life-or-death situation.

Think about it: back in the caveman days, social rejection could literally mean exile from the tribe—a threat to survival.

Fast forward to today, and while the stakes aren’t as high (your bad presentation isn’t going to get you kicked out of the village!), our brains still treat social embarrassment as a massive threat.

And so, we often find ourselves playing it safe, even when hope tells us to leap.

It’s like having a Ferrari parked in the driveway but never driving it because you’re afraid of getting a scratch.

The Spotlight Effect: We Think People Care More Than They Do

One reason we hesitate is something called the spotlight effect. We all walk around thinking that everyone’s paying far more attention to us than they actually are.

The reality?

Most people are too busy worrying about their own lives to scrutinize every little thing we do.

That mistake you made in your presentation?

You’ll obsess over it for hours, while your audience barely remembers. So why do we let the fear of looking foolish hold us back from trying, learning, and growing? ??

The Cost of Inaction

Here’s the irony: we’ll risk more just to avoid feeling embarrassed.

Think about someone who’s lost but refuses to ask for directions because they don’t want to admit they’re confused.

Or the person who stays in a role they’re unhappy with because admitting they need a change might be seen as a “failure.”

We often put our well-being on the line just to protect our egos.

But, here’s the thing: action is what turns hope into progress. If we let the fear of embarrassment stop us, we end up stuck—our hope never gets the chance to grow into something real.

By day’s end, we’re left with that "bad supper"—unfulfilled potential.

How to Overcome the Fear of Embarrassment?

The good news is, you can learn to push past this fear.

Here are three strategies that can help:

1. Embrace the Beginner’s Mindset

No one is born an expert, and we shouldn’t expect to be perfect from day one. By giving yourself permission to be a beginner, you release the pressure to be flawless.

2. Challenge the Spotlight Effect

When you’re worried about looking foolish, ask yourself: Would I even notice if someone else made this mistake? Probably not. And most people won’t notice yours either. So why let it stop you?

3. Take Small Risks Regularly

Start small. Share an idea in a low-stakes meeting, ask a “silly” question, or try a new skill in front of a friend.

The more you practice putting yourself out there, the easier it becomes to act in bigger, more significant moments.

Final Thoughts: Hope Needs Action

Hope is a great motivator, but it’s not enough on its own. You need to pair it with action to see real progress.

The fear of looking foolish will always be there, but the truth is, most people are so focused on their own lives that they hardly notice our mistakes. Don’t let fear rob you of growth and opportunity.

Next time you’re hesitating, remember: Hope is a good breakfast, but a bad supper.

Start your day with hope, but make sure to follow through with action—no matter how small the steps may seem. ??

#Hope #Action