Rip Off the Band-Aid

Tonight I was reminded of something I learned many years ago. When faced with a challenge that scares you or may involve emotional pain, embarrassment, the possibility of hearing the answer "no", just rip the band-aid off. Don't peel it slowly hoping to somehow avoid misery. By peeling it you usually get a slightly less painful feeling, but it occurs again and again for 20 seconds or more. If you rip it off, there is the instant shocking jolt, but then you are free and the bandaid is no longer attached to you.

When I learned this lesson was many years ago. I was smitten with a beautiful woman we shall call "Suzy". I had this super huge crush on Suzy. She worked at the ticket office and check-cashing counter at my college. Every day I would go cash a $5 check to get money for Adam's Family pinball. I would stand nervously in line hoping I would get to her ticket window. Every time I was next in line I lucked out and her window was open. She would cash my check, we would make small talk and I would wander on my way with butterflies a-floating in my stomach.

After a month of this I finally asked her out. She said yes and we went on several dates. On one of these dates we were discussing the fact that we both really dug each other from afar for a long time. She then told me that her fellow co-workers in the ticket office would close their windows to ensure that I would get to hers every time. At this point I realized that I had spent a month of my life wondering if she liked me, hoping that she did, not believing she did, feeling sick in the stomach with nerves, and hoping that luck would guide me to her. All the while she was in the same boat as me.

From that point on I decided if I liked someone I would not suffer through another stretch like that. When I like someone I just ask them out. If they say "yes", whoo-hoo. If they say "no", I just saved myself a month of hemming and hawing over nothing. If there is a challenge in your life, face it. If there is a risk waiting for you, take it. Rip the bandaid off! A much better use of your time is waiting for you.