Neophobia is the irrational fear of new things or experiences. We all have this tendency. No matter how much you think of yourself as a total risk-taker and lover of new things, you will feel this tendency in some areas of your life, I guarantee it.

The reason I can guarantee it, is that we are all subject to two other tendencies:

• We only do what we think is possible to do. The possibility of some actions is simply so out of reach of our imagination, that we will not even consider it. Before laser assisted eye surgery to correct short-sightedness and other refractive eye defects, I am sure that many thought they would have to wear glasses or contact lenses for the rest of their lives.
• We only truly believe it is possible to do what we have sucessfully done before. Those who call themselves risk-takers are those who take a leap of faith and try something new in spite of this tendency. It is important though, to remember that until one acutally succeeds, it will not seem nearly as real in your mind as afterwards.

These two tendencies combined cause us to repeat using the same strategies we have used in the past, and to never even consider that they would need to be improved.
We need to counter these tendencies if we are to improve our lives. The best way to counter them, is to educate yourself about what it possible for others, and then simply “turn off” thinking and take massive action towards achieving the same for yourself.

When you do this, you will probably find that it does not work out for you at first. It is new to you and you will make mistakes, but if you struggle through the hardships at some point it becomes much easier and one day you have totally forgotten that the activity was once thought of as impossible for you.

So don’t get discouraged, this is a struggle that affects all of us, even those with a lot of succes will have a doubting voice within:

If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced. - Vincent Van Gogh

You probably have a similar voice inside your head - do not let it rule your life, or you will end up old and bitter, wondering what might have been (for an illustration see Morgenthaler). I do not want that to happen to you, and I am pretty sure that I have your support in this matter