America Ferrera Quotes

Do one thing every day that scares you.

It seems like the more I live, the more I realize that saying 'yes' is almost never a mistake. If you say no, it might feel safe, but then you end up going nowhere.

You have to be careful not to let your fear stop you doing things. It's very exciting to test yourself.

To be honest, I probably wouldn't have gone to Hollywood if I hadn't been offered 'Ugly Betty' because I was a wee bit feart. But you have to make yourself frightened. That's what keeps you alive.

Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them.

The project you are most scared to do is the one that holds your greatest growth.

It's important to take risks and challenge yourself. That's why I went into acting, really.

I think I've gotten to the point in my life where I have to do everything that I'm scared of because you're not going to learn anything if you don't, so you just have to dive in the deep end and see if you can swim.

Great people do things before they're ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you're afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that - that is what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that's really special and if you're not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself.

I told everyone I would never be an actor. People used to tell me, 'Hey, you got a good look. You should try.' And I was like, 'Nah. That's not me.' And then, the moment I tried it, I found I loved it more than anything in the world, and that taught me a lesson. That is, just go for it.

A life lesson for me is, how do you muster the courage to take on a new risk? Whether it's starting up a business or taking on a new project or expedition. I think the risks that we take are all relative to the risk-taker.

I dabbled a little bit in acting in high school, and then I forgot about it completely. And then at about 25 I went to a class. I don't think anybody in my family thought it was an intelligent choice. I don't think anybody thought I'd succeed, which is understandable. I think they were just happy that I was doing something.

Looking back on my life, I wish I'd stepped forward and made a fool of myself more often when I was younger - because when you do, you find out you can do it.

I'm not saying that everyone should swim with sharks, but sometimes you have to jump over your own shadow in order to learn something that you will never forget for the rest of your life. Then you know you can conquer your fears.

I want to try new things and put myself out there and take some risks.

When I'm reading material, if I'm a little bit afraid of a part and I'm willing to admit that to myself, then I'll do it, definitely. If I'm worried about being able to do it, to get it - I absolutely just love it.

I've usually found that the greatest rewards in my life come from taking on things that are a little bit scary.

Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great.

I'm always looking for a new thing that really terrifies me that I think I can't do it and accomplish that.

You have to try things you're really afraid of, even if you pee yourself a little bit.

I've probably earned the right to screw up a few times. I don't want the fear of failure to stop me from doing what I really care about.

I think part of what acting did for me is it kind of represents all my greatest fears. I'm sort of compelled to do it, but at the same time, it's so frightening. But I think that the things that frighten me the most in life are the things I should be doing.

It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, 'always do what you are afraid to do.'

I think doing things that scare you a little is a good thing. A little bit of fear is never a bad thing. A healthy amount of fear makes everything taste better.

It's daunting; it's daunting doing something that you are not brilliant at in front of millions of people. But you can't sit back and say no to opportunity. You have to throw yourself in.