FEAR. It’s always present…no matter what “level” you think you’re at, no matter what type of change you’re facing. Fear is always present, whether you want to admit it or not. Here are all examples from conversations I’ve had recently:
>Reviewing a contract for a million dollar purchase agreement that means owning his dream business.
>Doubling her location size and adding a $300 additional expense weekly, but being able to expand clientele for the first time in 2 years.
>Looking his choices and reality in the face and forcing himself to tell the truth for the first time in his life.
Each person at a different place in their life.
Each person facing something that is BIG for them.
Each person feeling the reality of FEAR based upon being presented with something new, different, uncomfortable.
Each person standing in front of an opportunity to GROW in so many ways.
All experiencing self-doubt, at least for a moment.
All weighing the options of taking action or standing still.
All looking at the pros and cons.
Here’s the fun part of doing what I do… I get to point out things that they can’t always see.
Each of them are fully capable of extraordinary things. In fact, each of them have already created extraordinary things in one way or another but when something new, hairy, and scary is put in front of you the last thing you think about is how capable you truly are.
Instead, your mind takes you to the negatives and what if’s first. It takes you to the “holy shit” feeling in the pit of your stomach first.
And that’s what stops most people. They focus on everything bad that might happen and allow it to stop them dead in their tracks. Which could be a good or a bad thing, BUT what I know is that no matter what, fear will always be present. It’s a part of human nature.
The key is not allowing it to drive.
Acknowledge its existence, yes. Respect its presence even because fear is ultimately there to keep you safe. But look at it logically. Are the things that you’re scared of enough to stop you from moving forward? Are they rational? Are they fact? Or are they fiction?
In all of the situations I listed above, those people are betting on themselves. That’s the thing.
Signing the paperwork to take on the million dollar loan, the 50 employees, and multiple assets means you’re betting on your ability to make that company run.
Expanding the business to double the space and taking on the added weekly expenses means you’re betting on your ability to market your company, organize your schedule properly, and keep your clientele happy.
Choosing to tell the truth for the first time in your life, accept the part you played in everything in your life, and decide to make a different choice moving forward means you’re betting on your ability to follow through and stay true to your word.
All of those things are fucking scary. Why? Because it means YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP. You have to come through. You have to bring your best self to the table every day. You have to do your part. You have to do the work.
So you see, in the grand scheme of things it has nothing to do with the dollar amount or the feeling involved and has everything to do with believing in yourself and your own abilities.
Which is why I talk so much about taking care of yourself, paying attention to your accomplishments, looking your mistakes in the face, clearing your mind every day, strengthening your ability to control your thoughts and emotions. All of those things are imperative to building the life you want… whatever that means to you.