Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real!
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway!
Build a Bridge and Get over it!
I cannot tell you how many times in my career I repeated those phrases to myself to help me move past my fears! And it worked, kind of. I could keep moving, but it was hard.
In the beginning of my career, I was terrified of the getting on the phone. I was worried about rejection. I was scared of saying the wrong thing. I was scared that a lead might say no because I had said the wrong thing, and then I had lost a lead. LOTS of fear went into those phone calls. I felt the fear, I did it anyway, but the results were not stellar. Would you do business with someone that sounds awkward, uncomfortable and like they want to wet their pants a little bit?
It was like climbing a mountain with a backpack full of rocks. You can do it, but it is harder. And it is very unnecessary! Moving forward with fear, was definitely better than not moving forward at all. But learning to process the fear was a huge turning point for me.
First, let’s talk about what fear really is. I’m guessing you have probably heard the statement that Fear is false evidence appearing real. But my brain never really accepted that. Because every time I was afraid of an outcome, that outcome did have potential to be real. Then one day, I heard a new and improved definition. Fear is the anticipation of pain. That one worked for me! I was anticipating a possible outcome that could be painful.
But, that outcome I was anticipating was in fact only ONE of many possible outcomes. They could have said yes and not purchased. They could have said yes and purchased. They could have said yes and become my best client ever. They could have said yes and become a new team member. There were many possible outcomes, most of which brought excitement and happiness. I was letting one possible outcome become the only outcome in my mind.
In order to truly let go of our fear, we have to embrace all the possibilities! We have to be at peace that we don’t control the outcome, we only control our thoughts, emotions, and actions.
When the pain does come, and it will from time to time, forgive quickly. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. It will allow you to move through those occasional painful experiences quickly and spend more time and energy focusing on the great ones.
Don’t let fear stand in the way of you reaching your dreams!