Becoming Fearless is part of our larger effort to put the spotlight on what is working in our culture rather than just on what's dysfunctional. Taken individually, these stories inspire. Taken together, they testify to something larger -- that in the face of multiple crises, people are responding with strength, courage and resilience.

So, why are we so afraid of failure? What about the very concept of not turning out to be the winner terrifies us and stops us from even trying?

No! It's a pretty scary word, right? It certainly is for me. It's like a well-placed "boo!" bursting through the darkness from an unseen corner. In fact, I find "no" so scary that that I often have difficulty saying it, and that's just where my problem begins.

No one can be fearless alone. Without support -- without having an "accountability buddy" -- neither you nor I will ever reach the potential within us that is just waiting to burst forth.

Unless you are aware of how you feel, you can't choose something different. And choose something different you must. When your feelings aren't supporting where you want to go, you must be willing to put them aside and move forward.

By choosing to quit your job and pursue your passion, you are not denying that fear exists, you're merely stating that your own fulfillment is more important than any fear.

Over 20 years ago, I gave up something that ran my life. Some people might call it an "addiction"; others call it a "nasty habit." Whatever you want to call it, I'm talking about something that you believe you need in order to be okay.

MeiMei Fox is one of those people who can work a 12-hour day, go home to meditate and do yoga, then party all night, and get up and do it again the next day. Her mantra is "fear less, love more," so naturally I had to interview her for The Fear Project.

Let's start using one of the most valuable words in the world: NO.

When I was 14, I thought I would grow up to become a singer. And then something happened. My parents died and I didn't want to be happy anymore so I refused to sing a note. Later, when I found myself humming in the shower and singing along to the car radio, I knew happiness had a fighting chance.

I want to smile. I want to be happy. I want to be grateful. Because when I am those things, my life works.

What I know to be absolutely true is that NO ONE CAN BE FEARLESS ALONE. Period. End of story.

Can you look in the mirror without cringing? Can you tell your body that it is magnificent? Can you appreciate all that your amazingly wonderful body does for you?

What saying no to fear is really about is having the deep willingness to trust yourself. I know it's scary to do if you haven't been listening to yourself in a while. Yet, practicing trusting yourself is necessary.

Telling the truth (to myself first) is a sure sign that I am willing to own up to what isn't working in my life (and why it's so scary to tell the truth in the first place).

Complaints don't help you. They drown you in the muck and mire of your life. Don't swim in that stuff. Get out of that mud and give up complaining for the next 24 hours.

It's time to face something that might be keeping you fat, frustrated and fearful.

I have a choice between the thoughts I keep and the ones I need to trash, depending on whether they come from a place of light or of darkness. To me, these thoughts of light are those that stem from a divine source, which thoughts of darkness don't have.

Today's Fearless Living Boot Camp video asks you to do something that will help you let go of the past. It's a must-do.

When you are disorganized and you can't find what you need when you need it, you lose energy, time and money. Disorganization also lowers your confidence in yourself. Bottom line: It's not worth it.

Being kind isn't for sissies. And keeping track of kindness may just be the thing that keeps you in a good mood all day long. (It's worth a try, right?)

It's been said that sometimes the fastest way to make a change is to fake it until you make it, and if you want to take an action that transforms your attitude (I'm not kidding) and increases your confidence immediately, you gotta do today's challenge.