Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence and the downward spiral begins.
When you're offered things it makes it so much easier to be indecisive. And it's silly because you can pass on some really amazing things.
Worse than not realizing the dreams of your youth would be to have been young and never dreamed at all.