A question I’ve been asked is “How Do I Deal With Fear?”
Whether you are trying to start something new or get to the next level, many people try to ‘overcome’ or ‘conquer’ fear. To a certain degree, that may work for a period of time.
However, the question is really: How do you ride the fear?
When I first started out in business in my early 20’s, I never had it in my mind that I would ever speak in front of people. I was an incredibly shy and introverted kid. I had trouble speaking with people one-on-one, let alone speaking in front of an audience. I had incredible insecurity around that. I started reading self-improvement books, and there was a line from one of them that suggested that whatever you fear and don’t face will control you; whatever you fear and take steps to face, you will control it – or at least you will get better at how you interact with it.
I used to try to power my way through certain fears. Eventually, I got to a point where I simply tried to dance with the fear. I learned how to get into flow with it.
Since the fear is always there, treat it like riding a wave. Remember: Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly, in the beginning. Now, granted, if you suck at it, and you practice, and you still suck at it, and you practice, and you’re no good at it, and it doesn’t energize you – sometimes the best way to get out of a hole is to quit digging. There are certain times when giving up is actually smart. Instead, put your attention and energy on those things that produce for you. Take your talents and develop them to where you get really good, and ride the wave of fear.
Another line I heard was to do something everyday that scares you. Now, of course, context is important here. Don’t go run out in front of traffic, obviously. Simply take certain levels of challenges that force you to grow. If you do that, you build your confidence muscles. All of this requires courage. Courage never feels good. Courage is never comfortable. When my friend and founder of Strategic Coach, and 100K Member Dan Sullivan, was in the army, his sergeant taught him a valuable lesson about fear. His sergeant said, “Fear is wetting your pants. Courage is doing what you’re supposed to do with wet pants.”
There is opportunity in your anxiety. The things that cause you the most fear, the things that cause you the most pain, the things that seem insurmountable… those are the things that might have within them the highest likelihood of your future progress.
by Joe Polish
Founder of Genius Network
P.S. I've created a resource page as a central guide with access to valuable resources available to you right now. Check it out at www.GeniusNetwork.com/Vision-Insight. Bookmark this page. This is where I will post every new update.
P.P.S. Whenever you're ready... here are 3 more ways I can help you make YOUR business and life more E.L.F. (Easy, Lucrative, and Fun!):
- Discover the 10x Multipliers to grow your business exponentially… Amplify your opportunities and reveal the untapped potential in your business: www.10XTalk.com/Vision
- Trigger these 8 Profit Activators in your business right now: www.ILoveMarketing.com/Vision
- I'm often asked what books I recommend. So, I've put together a collection of books and products in 9 specific categories. These are resources we've shared in Genius Network to help improve life and business... To check them out visit www.JoePolish.com/Books-Vision
P.P.P.S. If You Or Someone You Know Is Struggling With Addiction, visit www.GeniusRecovery.org/Vision-Letter
Also, check these out 🙂
www.JoePolish.com/Vision-FreeBook
www.ILoveMarketing.com/MarketingVision
www.GeniusRecovery.org/RecoveryVision
More Genius Network Articles You Might Enjoy
The Importance Of Being A Fit Animal
In business, you are going to have to have some level of marketing stamina. This is why, when you start out, eating healthy, getting enough sleep and exercising are more important than figuring out how to run a company. You have to be a fit animal. The more fit you...
Marketing Matinee: Dr Robert Cialdini on Influence
#149 Episode Summary: This week’s Saturday Matinee performance is Dr. Robert Cialdini starring in the first I Love Marketing conference. What did you get from Roberts talk? How are you using this information to influence your audience?by Joe Polish Founder of Genius...
How to Achieve Exponential Growth in Your Business
#329 Episode Summary: Is exponential growth in your business magic – or mastery? Is it mystical, or is it the power of structure, passion, and tenacity? Here’s a glance at what you’ll learn from Stefan Wissenbach in this episode: Is It Magic or Mastery: How to achieve...