We all have a goal, or at least a dream, that terrifies us. Some of us have more than one.

You know what I’m talking about: the thing you’ll have, or do, or be someday, if you can only find the time, or the money, or the strength, or the energy. You’re thinking of yours now, aren’t you?

But wait, you’re saying. I’m not afraid of my dream. It’s my fondest wish. If I could only overcome the limitation that’s keeping me from it, I’d go for it.

Fair enough. You’re not afraid of the dream–you’re afraid of what it will take to get there. When you say if only, you’re really saying that goal is too big. It’s easier to dwell on the obstacles keeping me from it than to take action to reach it.

Why is the goal too big? Each of us has our own reasons, but most of them sound something like these:

I could never make enough money to make it possible.

I could never come up with the time to do the work it would take.

I have other responsibilities.

It would be irresponsible to use my time or resources that way.

What would my family think?

What if I try, and can’t?

Who am I to do that, anyway?

I’ll sacrifice my dream so my kids can live theirs.

Some of your reasons are valid. You might give everything you have to reaching your dream and never make it. You might burn out, go broke, lose your family, lose your mind going for that one dream that scares the pants off you. It’s happened to plenty of people, and lots of them were smarter, richer, better-looking, and more athletic than you.

But how would you rather face the end of your life: exhausted and spent because you couldn’t quite get there, or full of regret for never trying?

I want to travel to outer space. If I accomplish nothing else on my bucket list (and there’s a lot on it), I want to do that.

It costs tens of thousands of dollars to go to space. For most of my life, it wasn’t even an option unless you underwent years of training and testing first. It scares me to even think about doing it–let alone what it will take to get there.

I have absolutely no idea how to make it happen. But I’m going to do it. Because it’s important to me, and I’m willing to work my tail off for it.

And that makes me worthy of it.

What’s your huge, scary goal? Share it with us in the comments!