“What’s the worst that could happen?” is actually a great test if you’re honest with yourself.

If the worst that could happen is that you get expelled, fired, arrested, or killed—well, those are some strong signs pointing to, “Not a good idea.”

But if the worst that can happen is:

It might not work
People won’t like it
I’ll get criticized or laughed at
I’ll feel self-conscious…

…those aren’t so bad. Consider the potential upside, do what you can to avoid the worst of the worst possible outcomes (like spending all your savings on an idea that nobody buys), and then take the leap.

Take on a new project at work. Email the local business and ask if they’d consider letting you intern for the summer. Answer a question in class. Learn something new that’s outside your comfort zone. Put your writing, music, or art someplace on the web where people can see it.

Students who can push past the fear of a temporary wound to their self-esteem get more done. They have more college options and are more successful in the long run. And it’s not because everything they try works—they just learn that the worst that could happen (1) usually doesn’t, and (2) isn’t so bad.