You can fail at what you don\'t want, so you might as well take
1. "Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much."
2. "So many of us choose our paths out of fear disguised as
practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and
ridiculous to expect."
That 2nd line hit me hard––specifically the point about "fear
disguised as practicality."
What Carrey says he learned brings us to the 3rd and final line I'd
like to share:
#3) " I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of
which was that:
You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a
chance on doing what you love."
**
Cheryl CunninghamView Cheryl Cunningham’s profile • 3rd+Unleash the
magic of Huro in your entrepreneurial quest! Slay challenges with our
dynamic roadmap, conjure insights, and meet top advisors and backers.
Embark on your epic journey with Huro by your side.
13h(edited)
Carrey's words hit home. We've all been at that crossroad….choosing
between the well-trodden path and the one our heart yearns for. Safety
and passion. But, remember those childhood dreams? The ones without
boundaries? Maybe it's time we listen to that inner child a bit more.
After all, isn't life too short for 'what ifs'? Here's to chasing
those dreams and finding joy in the journey, no matter the outcome. 
hashtag#ListenToYourHeart
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Sahil Bloom commented on this
Blake Burge
Blake BurgeBlake Burge• 3rd+• 3rd+Helping You Learn While I Do The
Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books 
| 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.Helping You Learn While I Do The Same. Fan
of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my newsletter—you
should too.
2d • Edited • 2d • Edited •
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In a 2014 commencement address, Jim Carrey shared three lines that
will change the way you think about life:
1. "Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much."
2. "So many of us choose our paths out of fear disguised as
practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and
ridiculous to expect."
That 2nd line hit me hard––specifically the point about "fear
disguised as practicality."
Far too many times we choose the "safe" path because we convince
ourselves that it's the smart or practical thing to do.
I know, I've spent the better part of my adult life doing exactly that.
I understand, not everyone's life situation is the same.
Sometimes, the conservative path, the practical path, is the right one to take.
But more often than not, we make that decision based on fear of the unknown.
We spend hours upon hours coming up will all of the reasons we can't
live our dreams––we convince ourselves that the life we hoped for just
isn't in the cards.
It's, as Carrey says, "impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect."
Carrey goes on to relay a story from his childhood:
"My father could have been a great comedian, but he didn't believe
that was possible for him so he made a conservative choice.
He got a safe job as an accountant and when I was 12 years old, he was
let go from that safe job."
What Carrey says he learned brings us to the 3rd and final line I'd
like to share:
" I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which was that:
You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a
chance on doing what you love."
Thanks for reading.
If you enjoyed this, follow me Blake Burge and check out my newsletter
where I share timeless advice from the world's greatest minds here:
blakeburge.com
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Shengwen Calvin Li, PhD,EIC,FRSB,FRSMView Shengwen Calvin Li,
PhD,EIC,FRSB,FRSM’s profile • YouEditor-in-Chief, WJSC (IF 5.326)
2s
" I learned many great lessons from my father, not the least of which
was that: You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well
take a chance on doing what you love." Ask the Universe for what you
love.
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Sahil Bloom• FollowingExploring my curiosity and sharing what I learn
along the way.
2d
Beautiful
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Gary Udemans out of network3rd+creativity • innovation • synergy
1d(edited)
Beautiful indeed... Thanks Blake. And thank you Sahil. I needed that today 
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Jonathan JulianView Jonathan Julian’s profile • 3rd+Catchphrase
2d
Anyone else curious where number 3 went ?
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Toward the end of the post...
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Jonathan JulianView Jonathan Julian’s profile • 3rd+Catchphrase
1d
Blake Burge moreso just pointing out the list annotation ended at 2
then the format changed 
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Alex CooperView Alex Cooper’s profile (He/Him) • 3rd+Freelance
Creative Lead (COPY) | DIRECTOR | COMEDIAN | SPEAKER
2d
100%. Someone told me that with every decision, we can choose fear or faith.
So, on a daily basis when I’m faced with a difficult decision, I can
say: ‘what would faith look like here?’
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Love that "fear or faith" line. SO good.
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Alex CooperView Alex Cooper’s profile (He/Him) • 3rd+Freelance
Creative Lead (COPY) | DIRECTOR | COMEDIAN | SPEAKER
2d
Often terrifying to ask yourself, but faith without works is dead as they say.
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Rochak BakshiView Rochak Bakshi’s profile (He/Him) • 3rd+IIM, Mumbai |
Indian Army Veteran| Financial Planner for more than 50 HNI families|
Investment Specialist
2d
Truly insightful, Blake! Jim Carrey's wisdom resonates deeply. Often
we camouflage our fear with the mask of practicality, stunting our
growth and potential in the process. Overcoming this fear can open up
pathways to not just follow but also create a life that aligns with
what we truly desire. A powerful reminder for all of us to constantly
reassess if it is really 'practicality' dictating our choices or
simply veiled fears. Great share!
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Nailed it!
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1
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Rochak BakshiView Rochak Bakshi’s profile (He/Him) • 3rd+IIM, Mumbai |
Indian Army Veteran| Financial Planner for more than 50 HNI families|
Investment Specialist
2d
Thank you Blake Burge
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Dan PrudhommeView Dan Prudhomme’s profile • 2ndTargetpreneur | I help
SMB consultants with social media marketing for impact | Sharing
insights on strategic growth, lead gen, and training | Senior
Director, Partnerships | Adjunct Professor
2d
I heard this quote once from Jim Carrey too, Blake: “If you aren't in
the moment, you are either looking forward to uncertainty, or back to
pain and regret.”
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Oh, damn. Hadn't heard that one. Love it.
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Rutaba NiaziView Rutaba Niazi’s profile • 3rd+Software Engineer -
Elixir | Great at communication with humans and computers, aliens are
next
1d
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Zain KahnView Zain Kahn’s profile • 3rd+The AI Guy ― Follow me to
learn how you can leverage AI to 10x your productivity and accelerate
your career. Building the world's biggest AI newsletter with 400k+
readers at companies like Apple, Google, and Meta. Join ↓
2d
Hadn't seen this before!
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Just stumbled across it during a late night YouTube session (when I
probably should have been asleep) lol.
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Chad Van DykeView Chad Van Dyke’s profile • 3rd+Strategic B2B
Copywriter | Award Winner | Customer-Centric Marketing
1d
Blake Burge been there... 
And a great speech by Jim Carrey, for sure.
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Sandra NavarroView Sandra Navarro’s profile • 3rd+I help business find
their genius zone | Strategy | Innovation | Business Development
2d
I keep the “you Can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well
fail doing what you love” amongst my favorite all time quotes. And
every time it hits like plunging in cold water
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Reply1 Reply1 Comment on Sandra Navarro’s comment
Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
It is so damn good.
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1
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Andrew RosenView Andrew Rosen’s profile • 2ndStrategy Consultant | I
help businesses develop thought-leadership that creates new revenue |
Multiple-time leader in high-growth research, data, and advisory
businesses
2d
"You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a
chance on doing what you love."
Love it.
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Reply1 Reply1 Comment on Andrew Rosen’s comment
Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
My favorite line. So good.
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Dave KlineView Dave Kline’s profile • 3rd+Teaching leaders the
codified management playbook to build great teams & level up their
career. Entrepreneur | Writer | Speaker | Coach | 130K+ Social Media
followers.
2d
“You can fail at what you don’t want…” Makes it pretty clear the
logical choice is to chase what you do. Great find Blake!
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Reply1 Reply1 Comment on Dave Kline’s comment
Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Thanks, Dave Kline!
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Eric DuvallView Eric Duvall’s profile (He/Him) • 3rd+Senior Executive
and General Manager, achieving revenue and profitability growth
through customer centricity, collaboration, team development, and
servant leadership.
2d
Great advice from Jim Carrey for graduates, people in transition, or
anyone who may have dreams they've not yet pursued!
Thanks for sharing, Blake Burge!
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Thanks, Eric Duvall!
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John HensonView John Henson’s profile • 3rd+General Counsel | Helping
Digital Marketers Stay Compliant
2d
Blake Burge - This post and the Rick Rubin post are killer. Thanks for sharing!
Also, big fan of bourbon and books as well.
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Thanks, and cheers!
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Shane MartinView Shane Martin’s profile • 3rd+Own & operate two
agencies. In my free time I teach freelancers & agencies to get
smarter with business, provide better service, and make more money.
2d
Failure is always on the table, might as well go for the gold. What a
great perspective.
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
So true man, so true.
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Sherehan Ross, MBAView Sherehan Ross, MBA’s profile • 2ndDriving
Business Growth by Increasing Demand via Authoritative Branding,
Impactful Digital Marketing and Compelling Storytelling | Global CMO |
Servant Leader |
2d
"You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a
chance on doing what you love." YES! 
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Such a great line.
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Ronnie H. Kinsey, MBAView Ronnie H. Kinsey, MBA’s profile •
2nd
LinkedIn Top Voice | I Coach highly motivated professionals in
actionable transformation | Increase performance & well-being |
Strategic Leader & Healthcare Catalyst | Author | Founder | Speaker
1d
Practicality - that was a hard hit Blake!
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
1d
Ronnie H. Kinsey, MBA I thought so as well!
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Alex Hill 
View Alex Hill ’s profile • 3rd+Owner at RecycleTech
Utah/AssetWorx | R2v3 | ITAD | Electronic Recycling | Data
Destruction
| I help companies sell and recycle their retired
computer equipment
2d
Thanks for this!
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Sure thing!
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Michael KadelView Michael Kadel’s profile (He/Him) • 2ndSenior
Financial Services C-Suite Executive | Shaping Organizations to
Increase Revenue Growth and Member Engagement | Empowering Teams to
Create an Invigorating Culture
2d
Wow, very insightful! Thanks for sharing Blake!
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Blake BurgeView Blake Burge’s profileAuthorHelping You Learn While I
Do The Same. Fan of Bourbon & Books | 40,000+ people read my
newsletter—you should too.
2d
Of course!
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Lori WindleView Lori Windle’s profile (She/Her) • 3rd+Audiovisual
Production - US Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation & Enforcement
1d
uh yeah, what was the 3rd comment?
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Lori WindleView Lori Windle’s profile (She/Her) • 3rd+Audiovisual
Production - US Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation & Enforcement
1d
Indeed!
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Dr. Shelina JafferView Dr. Shelina Jaffer’s profile • 3rd+GP, Equity
Champion and Authentic Healthcare Leader
1d
‘Ask the universe for it! I am the proof! ‘ Love this!
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Dr. Shelina JafferView Dr. Shelina Jaffer’s profile • 3rd+GP, Equity
Champion and Authentic Healthcare Leader
1d
Craig Finley completely agree! Hope and faith go a long way in times
of challenge and such a belief may be a game changer
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Thor JacobsView Thor Jacobs’ profile • 3rd+Vice President Business Development
2d
Easy to say when you are a one in a million success story. What about
the 999,999 that wanted to be an actor/comedian/professional
basketball player et al.? Many now working as waiters and the car
wash. Accountants and people with skills can always get another job.
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1
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Craig FinleyView Craig Finley’s profile • 3rd+Experienced : Automation
Equipment Engineer for the automotive industry | Facilities Engineer |
Project Managment Engineer
1d
Thor Jacobs I guess having a plan B is something worth considering
before you take a leap at something you think you will love. Regret
however always has a 20/20 view.
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Cheryl CunninghamView Cheryl Cunningham’s profile • 3rd+Unleash the
magic of Huro in your entrepreneurial quest! Slay challenges with our
dynamic roadmap, conjure insights, and meet top advisors and backers.
Embark on your epic journey with Huro by your side.
13h(edited)
Carrey's words hit home. We've all been at that crossroad….choosing
between the well-trodden path and the one our heart yearns for. Safety
and passion. But, remember those childhood dreams? The ones without
boundaries? Maybe it's time we listen to that inner child a bit more.
After all, isn't life too short for 'what ifs'? Here's to chasing
those dreams and finding joy in the journey, no matter the outcome.
hashtag#ListenToYourHeart