I'm going to further build on this idea that courageous acts are not born out of courage, but out of fear.
Why is a firefighter willing to run into a burning building to battle a fire, or rescue someone trapped inside? Is it because they are unafraid of getting burned, or suffering respiratory disorders from smoke inhalation? Clearly not, as illustrated by all the protective clothing and equipment they wear. They are clearly afraid of the risks. So why are they willing to take these risks? It is because they have a greater fear of allowing the building to collapse, or even worse, allowing someone else to die in the fire.
There is a lot of risk involved in starting a new business venture. There is a risk of failure, which, depending on the amount invested, could result in losing your house. So why are people willing to take this risk? Personally, I am willing to take on new entrepreneurial endeavors, despite being afraid of failure and financial loss, I am more afraid of the financial uncertainty that comes with working for someone else. Furthermore, I am more afraid that what I earn from working for someone else, although it does meet my current needs, it may not be enough when my financial needs change.
What happens when I get married and start a family? Or want to move into a larger house or buy a new car? My current salary may not be enough to provide for my future family. Of course, I could follow the common advice and "live within my means", but why lower my standards? This is another part of the fear that drives me to pursue secondary and tertiary income streams. I am more afraid of having to sacrifice the kind of lifestyle that I wanted than I am of failing. I'd rather make my means match my lifestyle than make my lifestyle match my means.
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