The Simple Way I Handle Entrepreneurial Fear
A good friend once called me fearless, and I’m sure I laughed right out loud, right there in his face. Because, little did he know..I was full of fear. Sure he saw me as this newly divorced single mom of two, who just quit her high paying job to start a blog…but I saw myself as a scared, fragile little bird on the brink of a mental breakdown.
The truth is, I’m not alone and I’m not unique. Every single entrepreneur goes through moments of “Holy eff what am I doing?”, “Is this going to work?” and “Will I be able to provide for my family”. I love reading interviews with entrepreneurs who admit to having fear..not because I like to see people suffer, but because it comforts me to know that fear is an everyday part of being an entrepreneur..and you either need to learn to deal with it, or let it succumb you.
Fear makes the wolf bigger than it is - German Proverb Click To TweetAnd I’d be lying to say that I’ve mastered the art of fear and I walk around every day feeling confident in my decisions..because the truth is..as a mom & entrepreneur…those things continue to rattle me. I have moments where I’m all…“I got this” and I have moments where I’m curled up in a ball crying because I don’t know what my next step should be.
A few years back, I realized that something needed to change, because guess what..no one was coming to save me and I was going to have to work through my own shit on my own. Figure it out. No amount of margaritas was going to take the fear away. So then, I started this thing…that I call a fear journal.
Now before you laugh me off the face of the earth, hear me out. I realize how hokey it sounds. I know this because my husband rolls his eyes anytime I mention a fear journal, but the truth is..it works…it really does work.
Here’s what worked for me:
1. Write down what you are fearful of, what is stopping you, your mental block.
2. Write down what will happen if that fear comes true. You’ll want to expand upon your fear here and describe exactly what you think will happen if your fear comes true.
3. Write down what you will do if that fear comes true. This one’s a big one. After I write down what I will do if my biggest fear happens..a little of the anxiety goes away..because now I’ve got a plan. So this step is crucial. After you’ve done this step…walk away from the fear journal until one of two things happen..your fear comes true..or it doesn’t.
4. Put a yes or no checkbox on your sheet and if that fear comes true..put a checkmark in it.
You will realize my friend, just as I realized, that almost 100% of your fears never fucking happen. They just don’t. BUT, don’t take my word for it. Do this fear journal for a week and come back to me and let me know what percentage of what you were fearing actually happened?
It’s freeing once you realize that fear is holding you back. It’s robbing you for sleep, your focus, your time. Fuck fear. Punch it in the face. And go on and be the person you were destined to be. Mic drop 😉
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Wow… this is amazing!!! I have a lot of anxiety in my life over little things.. and this process seems like something that would really help me. thank you for sharing this! Sometimes we just need that little bit of introspect to talk ourselves down off that ledge. 🙂
Jessica you and me both sister! Hope you try this and it works for you 🙂
I absolutely LOVE this! I’m a natural-born worrier so anything to help ease my mind is welcome. :o)
Yes try it and let me know if it works for you 🙂
Thank you for sharing this at #100HappyDays! I’m doing a series on my blog now about facing fears. I appreciate this post because this is also one of my fears. I’m kind of scared to branch out and do sponsored posts or let hotels know I’m doing a review on my blog. I think I care too much what people think…and I’m afraid of offending someone. I’m working on this though and slowly learning to try new things. Thank you for sharing!
Oh good! The mantra that ‘your best opportunities lie on the other side of fear’ is so true. good Luck 🙂
Wow, I really needed your post today. Truly!
I’ve had that fear today, I quit my job recently to pursue the blog and am just in the thick of working hard of things away from the corporate world. I need to do this practice today:
Here’s what worked for me:
1. Write down what you are fearful of, what is stopping you, your mental block.
2. Write down what will happen if that fear comes true. You’ll want to expand upon your fear here and describe exactly what you think will happen if your fear comes true.
3. Write down what you will do if that fear comes true. This one’s a big one. After I write down what I will do if my biggest fear happens..a little of the anxiety goes away..because now I’ve got a plan. So this step is crucial. After you’ve done this step…walk away from the fear journal until one of two things happen..your fear comes true..or it doesn’t.
4. Put a yes or no checkbox on your sheet and if that fear comes true..put a checkmark in it.
I’ve always thought, write down the worst that could happen…and your plan…which covers any anxiety there.
Saving this! I love it – thank YOU!
xo
Krista
http://www.hundredblog.com
Oh I love this idea! I think writing can solve pretty much any problem you are having, but I love the idea of breaking it down like this. Definitely something I need to try because my fears can definitely take control at times.
Shannon
Clothes & Quotes
we all have the potential to grow and achieve the incredible heights, Just need to overcome the fear of being Great! thank you for sharing these amazing tips. 🙂
YES! I totally needed to read this – fear/hesitation/lack of confidence are all things that take up too much time! You are right “punch it in the face” and move forward!
This was awesome! Thank you so much for sharing this, I can really relate. I am going to try the fear journal. I think it could help me from not holding back and just going for it.
Yes! Love this! “Punch it in the face.” I’ve had to do some of this too … the entrepreneurial fears and doubts. Thank you for sharing your tips and truths about this.
Wow this came at such an interesting time. I was just having a conversation about fear and how to overcome it. Life is just funny like that I guess.
I love the idea of writing it down and tracking what happens. It makes you think about your fear, and how you will adjust to it. Definitely a great post! Thanks for sharing!
Exactly. Fear is a common occurrence in our entrepreneurial lives and it’s best to hit it head on.
I totally agree. Great post!
Wow, what a great post !!!!!!!! I’m so glad I clicked this . What a legit idea , it totally shines light on the fact that fears are mainly in our head and the thing we are scared of doesn’t normally occur. Such a powerful idea . I too am an entrepreneur , actually both my husband and I are, and that can be scary . I’m gonna apply this
Danielle Greco | AccordingtoD.com
Awesome! Happy to help 🙂
I love this idea! I can’t wait to try it out! Normally, I just brain dump all my fears, write action steps to make ensure they don’t come true 🙂
Thanks for sharing! Have a beautiful + kind day!
Taylor Layne
The brain dump is not a bad idea either 🙂 Thanks for the comment Taylor! 🙂
Keeping a fear journal is such a cool idea. I love what you said about punching fear in the face… we simply need to believe we can do it and just forge ahead… Thanks for sharing…
Seriously, way to make fear your you -know-what!
Love this post so much! I actually just had a fearful meltdown today over my blog and my husband had to call me to talk me out of it! I know that if I keep working hard, my fears probably won’t be realized, but I need to be better at making sure they don’t control me!
Thank you for this, it doesn’t sound hokey at all! Journaling is a great way to get thoughts out of your head. I’ll definitely be trying it.