Like a roadblock, fear functions to stop us in our tracks.Whether the fear of being alone, of making a mistake or of trying something new, when we allow fear to dictate our response, it is likely we will stay exactly where we are, which is often a place of longing for change but terrified to act.This dilemma is common in people who aspire to follow their dreams and leave unfulfilling jobs for work that is meaningful.Fears of being broke, letting others down or making a mess of things are widespread and, if left to fester, these fears can run your life, leaving you trapped in not only a boring job but beyond that, in a dull and predictable life.While fear can function to keep us from making poor judgements, it is often a roadblock when a person yearns to make a career transition.There is a way to overcome the fear, however; let's look at how one woman did it.Leda was frustrated in a repetitive administrative job, but terrified to follow a dream she harboured to start a small side business, creating gift baskets for office wedding and baby showers.Caught up in her fears, she was unable to see beyond them to a more fulfilling life.With some coaching, Leda started to imagine and put into words the life she longed for, but was still convinced that "other people can start businesses, not me! I'm only a secretary.".What she realized, as she became aware of how her fear-based self-talk was getting in the way of even learning more about launching a small business, let alone starting one, she started to inventory the skills she had that would propel her towards success; skills such as her excellent time management and organizational acumen.With a vision and a sense that she had some strengths, she was ready to take a few more small steps.First of all, she determined she needed to learn more about home-based businesses, how to write a business plan and where to network with people who could help her.Those activities Leda found straightforward and she was able to use her strengths in service of her larger goals.With some small yet significant accomplishments under her belt, she started to understand that starting a business wasn't about not feeling afraid, it was about managing the fears as they came up.And it was also about letting go of the idea that she was a person who could not do this; with every small success, she learned that she actually had abilities to run her own show.With this, her sense of who she was becoming - a small business owner - was emerging.Still, her biggest obstacle was her own fear of stepping "into the void" as she described it and with that, challenging that deep belief that she was not entrepreneurial or "good at business" and without colleagues milling around her desk, she would always be alone.So, in order to be successful, Leda realized she needed to think beyond implementing her business plan.To fully realize her dream, she needed to create the conditions for her success, with the most important condition being what she called her "Fear Management Plan." Here are some of the things she put on that list..If you don't know something, don't be afraid to ask.Assume that people want to help.Pick up the phone! Surround yourself with successful people who face similar fears and learn from them.Join a networking group or attend seminars for small business owners.Analyse the fear and look for the underlying assumption you are making.Ask if your assumption is true.For instance, "If I try this, I will fail" is not necessarily true.More likely is. "If I try this, I will feel uncomfortable but I will learn something.".Find new ways to use your strengths in support of your goals.If you are great at building a community, focus there and let go of the idea that you have to do something unpleasant, such as cold-calling, to be successful.Finally, as the book says, Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway.With every small success - and with every setback - Leda not only learned the ropes of running a business, she also learned that being resilient in the face of fear was a major contributor to her meeting her goals.Now a successful small business owner who vows to never go back to "work," Leda admits that fear is still with her every time she is about to reach for a new goal.The difference now, however, is she has a plan to deal with it.If you are contemplating a change in job or a new career, steal a page from Leda's book and figure out what strategies will help you face your fears.If there is something you really want to do with you life, don't let your fears steal it away from you.Work with a coach, a friend or a mentor to face what's getting in the way.You will likely find that at core, your dreams are stronger than your fears, if you just give them a chance.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Turning Fear Into Action
Like a roadblock, fear functions to stop us in our tracks.Whether the fear of being alone, of making a mistake or of trying something new, when we allow fear to dictate our response, it is likely we will stay exactly where we are, which is often a place of longing for change but terrified to act.This dilemma is common in people who aspire to follow their dreams and leave unfulfilling jobs for work that is meaningful.Fears of being broke, letting others down or making a mess of things are widespread and, if left to fester, these fears can run your life, leaving you trapped in not only a boring job but beyond that, in a dull and predictable life.While fear can function to keep us from making poor judgements, it is often a roadblock when a person yearns to make a career transition.There is a way to overcome the fear, however; let's look at how one woman did it.Leda was frustrated in a repetitive administrative job, but terrified to follow a dream she harboured to start a small side business, creating gift baskets for office wedding and baby showers.Caught up in her fears, she was unable to see beyond them to a more fulfilling life.With some coaching, Leda started to imagine and put into words the life she longed for, but was still convinced that "other people can start businesses, not me! I'm only a secretary.".What she realized, as she became aware of how her fear-based self-talk was getting in the way of even learning more about launching a small business, let alone starting one, she started to inventory the skills she had that would propel her towards success; skills such as her excellent time management and organizational acumen.With a vision and a sense that she had some strengths, she was ready to take a few more small steps.First of all, she determined she needed to learn more about home-based businesses, how to write a business plan and where to network with people who could help her.Those activities Leda found straightforward and she was able to use her strengths in service of her larger goals.With some small yet significant accomplishments under her belt, she started to understand that starting a business wasn't about not feeling afraid, it was about managing the fears as they came up.And it was also about letting go of the idea that she was a person who could not do this; with every small success, she learned that she actually had abilities to run her own show.With this, her sense of who she was becoming - a small business owner - was emerging.Still, her biggest obstacle was her own fear of stepping "into the void" as she described it and with that, challenging that deep belief that she was not entrepreneurial or "good at business" and without colleagues milling around her desk, she would always be alone.So, in order to be successful, Leda realized she needed to think beyond implementing her business plan.To fully realize her dream, she needed to create the conditions for her success, with the most important condition being what she called her "Fear Management Plan." Here are some of the things she put on that list..If you don't know something, don't be afraid to ask.Assume that people want to help.Pick up the phone! Surround yourself with successful people who face similar fears and learn from them.Join a networking group or attend seminars for small business owners.Analyse the fear and look for the underlying assumption you are making.Ask if your assumption is true.For instance, "If I try this, I will fail" is not necessarily true.More likely is. "If I try this, I will feel uncomfortable but I will learn something.".Find new ways to use your strengths in support of your goals.If you are great at building a community, focus there and let go of the idea that you have to do something unpleasant, such as cold-calling, to be successful.Finally, as the book says, Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway.With every small success - and with every setback - Leda not only learned the ropes of running a business, she also learned that being resilient in the face of fear was a major contributor to her meeting her goals.Now a successful small business owner who vows to never go back to "work," Leda admits that fear is still with her every time she is about to reach for a new goal.The difference now, however, is she has a plan to deal with it.If you are contemplating a change in job or a new career, steal a page from Leda's book and figure out what strategies will help you face your fears.If there is something you really want to do with you life, don't let your fears steal it away from you.Work with a coach, a friend or a mentor to face what's getting in the way.You will likely find that at core, your dreams are stronger than your fears, if you just give them a chance.
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