A few years ago, I was climbing a cliff in Croatia with two slightly crazy friends—the kind who say, “Just jump, it’ll be fine!” A few minutes later, I stood at the edge of a sixteen-metre drop, heart pounding, staring down at the turquoise water below, scared! My brain was split in two—one half screaming, this is a terrible idea!, the other whispering, but what if I don’t?
What if I let fear win? What if I played it safe and missed out on a chance to practice courage? What if I climb back down the cliff and regret not having jumped.
So, I closed my eyes… and jumped.
Our group of friends stood watching thinking the three of us were nuts. And let me tell you—it was exhilarating. Though, I admit, my bum was sore for a solid week afterward. Worth it? I think so.
The feeling of exhilaration outweighed the literal pain in the bum.
A friend recently introduced me to his wife by saying, “This is Franziska—she just does cool sh*.”*
I thought that was a pretty great introduction. I might add it to my speaker introduction.
Want to do more cool sh**? This article is for you.
Life is fleeting. Why tiptoe through it when you can grab it by the horns—or the horn, if you believe in unicorns—and treat every moment as an invitation to jump?
The Cost of Inaction
Regret stings far more than failure.
The thrill of doing something—of taking the leap—almost always outweighs the risk of it not working out. Action creates momentum, and momentum opens doors. In fact, embracing the unknown doesn’t just open doors—it reveals hidden pathways you didn’t even know existed. And, just as importantly, it shuts the doors that weren’t meant for you in the first place.
So, when fear creeps in, ask yourself:
- What’s the worst that can happen if I try and fail?
- What’s the worst that can happen if I never try?
Let’s say you’ve always wanted to write a book, but you’re afraid people won’t love what you have to say. What’s the worst that could happen? Maybe only your mum reads it. Maybe someone gives you a bad review. Does it really matter?
Now flip the question. What’s the worst that could happen if you never try? You’ll never know how much brilliance is locked inside you. You’ll never touch a stranger’s life with your words. You might even leave this world wondering, What if?
In most cases, the risk of ‘failed action’ is microscopic compared to the risk of standing still. Why? Because even when you fail, you learn. You adapt. You grow.
Of course, you want to evaluate the risks and assess the stakes. I wouldn’t dive off a cliff into shallow water. More often than not, the real danger isn’t in making a mistake—it’s in standing still. The cost of inaction almost always outweighs the cost of a misstep.
Looking back, I know I’ll regret the moments where fear held me back far more than the ones where I leapt and landed on my sorry butt.
But What Will Others Say?
For many, the biggest obstacle to doing cool sh** isn’t only fear of failure. It’s fear of judgment.
That little voice whispering, What will people think?
It. Does. Not. Matter.
As the saying goes, Opinions are like a**holes—everyone has one. But that doesn’t mean they’re valid. The faster you realise that most people’s opinions have nothing to do with you and everything to do with their own limitations, the freer you become.
Become unf***withable. Get so grounded in who you are that no amount of gossip, judgment, or unsolicited advice rattles your vibe. Yes, it’s easier said than done—especially in the age of social media. But once you master it? Game-changer.
People will judge. It doesn’t matter.
People will gossip. It’s okay. Just don’t join the gossip train—it’s boring.
The most important opinion is the one you have of yourself. So instead of trying to convince others of your worth, convince yourself.
Here’s My Summary to Do More Cool Sh**:
1. Trust Yourself & Align With Your Values
What excites you? What lights you up? When do you feel the most joy? The answers to these questions are your compass. Follow them.
2. Do No Harm
Doing cool sh** doesn’t mean being reckless or putting yourself or others in danger. It’s about pushing boundaries, not breaking yourself or others.
3. Commit & Take Action
Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready. I wasn’t ‘ready’ when I wrote my first book over a decade ago (hell, I wasn’t even sure I was a good writer). I wasn’t ready when I rode my motorcycle along the Silk Road (in fact, I wasn’t a great rider). But here’s the thing: You don’t know what you’re capable of until you start.
Take the first step, and the path will reveal itself.
Why Doing Cool Sh** Isn’t Just About You
Here’s the cool thing about doing cool sh**. It isn’t just about personal gratification. It creates ripple effects.
It inspires. It connects. It fuels creativity and possibility—not just for you, but for people around you.
Your partner.
Your kids.
Your team.
Your friends.
Even strangers who watch from a distance and think, Maybe I can do that too.
So if you need one more reason to step up, think of it as an act of generosity.
What Cool Sh** Would You Do If You Had the Courage?
Don’t wait to feel courageous. Take action now, and courage will follow. Remember, courage is a skill.
Remember, you’re capable of so much more than you think.
Now go. Do cool sh**.