You’re Too Good For That

by ANNIE on July 29, 2010

There’s nothing better than late-night, sunken-eyed, bursts of clarity. I was struck the other evening with how many people are paralyzed by fear. So much so that they end of doing nothing. They end up NEVER doing ANYTHING.

You’re too good for that. Here’s why (if you cannot see the video below, you can watch it here):

So take that fear by the horns and get into action already. How will you ever know what could be if you don’t?

Thoughts on fear in business? Fear in life? How do you push through it and get yourself to take that critical first step?

  • A great quote I found while flipping through the 4-hour work week was "If want to double your success, simply double your rate or failure", Thomas Watson said that.

    I've almost trained myself to treat that fear or anxiety of trying something new as fuel to actually make it happen...Feeling a little fearful as I'm about to launch a new business or try something new is like a quasi-gauge for me; it lets me know I'm making the right amount of Forward Progress...

    Great post Annie...It's actually got me so riled-up I might just write a follow-up post right now! Cheers!
  • Love the quote, Sunny...cannot be more true.

    Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate your insight!
  • Excellent Post. Fear is one of the main things that separate us into successful and unsuccessful... Or rather how we address fear.

    At times, when I get fearful for whatever reason, I do a little jedi mind trick on myself and instead of focusing on the big thing that has me concerned instead I start thinking of the 'next step' that will move me forward but doesnt feel as big and scary. Then that little bit of action allows me to keep moving through the anxiety.

    Thanks for sharing Annie!
  • Ohh, love your Jedi mind trick, excellent point. Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate it!
  • I personally think there is one factor that is even more powerful than fear... habit. Watching your favourite tv series or every sports game give you the habit you can always fall back on when you're not in the mood to do the job.

    Fear is only your own perception, your own boundary at this perticular point of time in your life. When you try to push your boundaries each day, you can accomplish the job in time. Just take steps that you are able to make, don't ask yourself to do something you cannot just to show you can do it. Take on your fear with a plan and prove the people wrong.

    DeMetter.com - minding your business
  • So glad you brought this up, Paul - I agree. I kind of think folks get in the habit of not only doing things because of their fear, but of simply being fearful in the first place. Accepting that it's an ok excuse. You know?
  • So I just had lunch with an old friend this afternoon and right before I stepped out of the car the though of, "What if he doesn't like what I have to say." crossed my mind. I took a deep breath and told myself, "This single conversation might be the one that is keeping you from your goals. GET OUT OF THE CAR!"

    @Grant I love the "focus and confidence come in the form of action, not in the preparation." statement. By simply getting out of the car or picking up the phone your entire life could change, but you have to be willing to push on.

    @Annie - Great stuff as always and man do you keep me motiviated!!!
  • I love it, James. Love love love it.
  • Ready... Fire!... Aim... (It's my... 'There's no place like home' thought. I repeat it to myself whenever I want comforted.)

    For me, focus and confidence come in the form of action, not in thought and preparation.

    Thank you Annie for this great reminder of the power of action.
  • Hope you didn't mind that I stole your mantra! I agree about how taking action actually creates more confidence than even spending more time preparing would. Also interesting how the vast majority of the world thinks it's the opposite. I wonder if everyone simply took that first step, that first action, how quickly they'd realize that it was merely a fraction as scary and difficult as they'd expected? Hmm...

    Thanks, as always, Grant, for your awesome input!
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