Taking Action Even When You’re Scared

Taking Action – The Fear Factor – Fear is a normal emotion. Sometimes, it can be beneficial because it makes you aware of risks, keeps you alert, and improves mental focus. However, too much fear will have just the opposite effect. Don’t worry, even the most successful people experience this feeling. The key is to prevent it from dictating your actions.

The Many Shades of Fear

This human emotion isn’t all black and white. Fear can take many forms, from mild anxiety to downright debilitating overthinking. Under certain circumstances, it can protect you from danger and stop impulsive behaviors. But, because it’s closely tied to your gut instinct, it can also help you improve your decision-making.

But not all types of fear are good for you. In fact, this emotion often does more harm than good. It can keep you from reaching your full potential, fuel procrastination, and cause stress.

What is Fear?

noun – an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. synonyms: terror, fright, fearfulness, horror, alarm, panic, agitation, trepidation, dread, consternation, dismay, distress; anxiety, worry, angst, unease, uneasiness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, nervousness, nerves, timidity, disquiet, disquietude, discomposure, unrest, perturbation, foreboding, misgiving, doubt, suspicion; informal the creeps, the willies, the heebie-jeebies, the shakes, the collywobbles, jitteriness, twitchiness, butterflies (in the stomach); informal funk, blue funk, the (screaming) abdabs; rhyming slang the Joe Blakes; archaic worriment; rare inquietude “she felt fear at entering the house” phobia, aversion, antipathy, dread, bugbear, bogey, nightmare, horror, terror; anxiety, neurosis, complex, mania; abnormal fear, irrational fear, obsessive fear; bête noire; informal hang-up “she sought help to overcome her fears” verb – be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening. synonyms: be afraid of, be fearful of, be scared of, be apprehensive of, dread, live in fear of, go in terror of, be terrified of, be terrified by, cower before, tremble before, cringe from, shrink from, flinch from; be anxious about, worry about, panic about, feel consternation about, have forebodings about, feel apprehensive about; informal be in a blue funk about “I feared the bullies who taunted me” have a phobia about, have a horror of, have a dread of, shudder at, take fright at “he fears heights and open spaces”

Taking Action – The Fear Factor

Let’s say you want to quit your 9-to-5 job and start a creative agency or work as a virtual assistant. You might be afraid that you’ll lose time and money if things don’t work out as you planned. What if you won’t have enough clients? Or what if you get sick and can’t work anymore?

The risks are real, so it’s normal to experience fear. However, you’ll never know what you’re missing if you don’t try. Who knows? You might have a huge success and build a loyal customer base. Five years from now on, you could have enough money to buy the home of your dreams. Do you want to live your life wondering, What if?

How to Conquer Your Fear

No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to get rid of fear completely. Instead, you should make it your ally. What???

Here…picture yourself reaching your goal, whatever it is. Imagine the worst-case scenario and then come up with a backup plan. Ask yourself: what are the facts? Am I making assumptions? What’s the best thing that can happen? Who can I call for help?

Let It Guide You

Use your fear as a source of guidance. Assess your inner fears and seek possible solutions. Using our example above, you could start a web design side hustle in addition to your regular job. This way, if your business fails, you’ll still have an income. If it keeps growing, turn it into a full-time job. With this approach, you’ll get to do what you want and not take the risks.

Are you in need of help with this? Ok, here’s the plan. Sign up for our mentor program with other like-minded business owners that can help YOU get over your fears!

The Fear Factor – Taking Action