Life is a series of experiences that can shape and teach us for our betterment if we allow them to. Do-ers embrace the life lessons they learn from every encounter…good or bad. They see experiences as a stepping stone to the refinement of their character and are willing to take risks as a result. They are not afraid to make mistakes because they understand that the road to success is paved with failures. Do-ers see themselves as students who are always learning and growing into greater potential.

Proverbs 18:15 (NLT)

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

Don’t-ers see opportunities as a pass/fail endeavor. The event has greater significance than the experience. They perceive any type of failure as fatal to their future. They don’t see the growth opportunity embedded in the failure; they only see the failure itself. Past experiences cause them to fear mistakes, and then they make excuses to talk themselves out of stepping out again. These excuses seem rational to them because the end goal of a Don’t-er is to avoid the pain of their worst fear—failure. But excuses are just lies in disguise. They keep people from their potential and their ultimate destiny. Don’t-ers will come up with every reason why they can’t do something. Their self-limiting fears keep them from opening themselves up to new opportunities. 

As followers of Christ, we are called to believe big and risk much. Embrace experiences and acquire knowledge. Don’t be a critic, be a student. Critics are always looking for what’s wrong, but students are always seeking a chance to learn and grow. The famous poet T.S. Eliot said, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”