We have a friend who’s ready to make her move. She wants to leave her executive position to transition into independent consulting. The problem is that she’s afraid. Her fear of failure is so powerful that she has an easier time seeing herself as a homeless drug addict than doubling her salary in two years.
Our mind has an amazing ability to catastrophize the cost of failure, doesn’t it? When we consider taking risks, our minds can paint a picture of an illogical, improbable outcome that somehow is so convincing that we end up deciding to play it safe.
Nothing kills more dreams than fear … and our fear of failure.
Fear and failure aren’t the same thing, yet they certainly are related. They’re cousins. The F’N Cousins, as we like to call them.
While “playing it safe” is tolerable, it’s not the path toward the fulfillment and betterment you seek. In order to build the bridge from where you are to where you want to be, you’ll need to take some risks. You’ll need to Bet on You.
Strategies to Conquer Your Fears
Here are a few ways to right-size your fears, while building up the courage you need to take a risk:
- Give “Best-Case Scenario” Air Time. Your mind has already likely played out the doomsday scenario in regard to the risk you want to take. How about giving “best-case” a try? Rather than focus on all that could go wrong, focus on all that could go right. When you spend time thinking of the upside of your choices, your attention is directed on ensuring that you make things happen for you.
- Look Around – Others Are Doing the Thing You Want to Do. The dreams, goals, and aspirations you have for yourself are completely doable. Likely, there are others already doing them. Ask yourself: what makes those individuals different than you? They’ve got similar talents and skills. They’ve just decided to take the risk.
- Failure Isn’t So Bad. If you think back on your life, some of your greatest learning lessons were a result of your fails. These fails weren’t fatal or final; they were building blocks on your journey. Your recipe for success has been built on failure. Don’t be afraid of it. Recognize that it’s a necessary ingredient in your life’s success formula.
Realize that “ordinary” people do extraordinary things every day. Ask yourself: If not you, then who? If not now, then when?
Right now is the perfect time to begin to pursue the visions that are in your mind and on your heart. We’re here to support. Check out Bet on You – It’s not just a book. It’s a guidebook on helping you dream, plan, and act.
