Do you ever build something up so much in your head it starts infiltrating your dreams – or nightmares? Please tell me I am not the only one.
The process of writing and launching my book, The Connector’s Advantage took over 2 years. I remember the day that I finally received the box of books.
I was so excited. What I had been working toward and dreaming about was finally real! But I quickly realized that excited was not the only emotion I was feeling. That same night I had multiple nightmares about the book.
The nonsensical aberrations included visions of misprints, misspellings, forgotten content, bad reviews and more. All my hard work had come to fruition — and with it, came a slew of fears that had been unknowingly hovering in my subconscious.
Have you had an experience like this before?
It is incredibly easy to let fear paralyze you — but it doesn’t have to. You can choose to manage it, to be empowered by it, and to consciously recognize the fear and embrace it to experience what’s really behind it.
When The Connector’s Advantage was finally available for purchase I held my breath, eagerly awaiting the reviews. I was able to manage my fears using these five actions:
Take Action.
Give yourself the moment to experience the fear and then put it aside and think of one small action you can take to move forward. For me it was the survey. Instead of staying stuck, make a move. There is always a step forward, and taking it will enable momentum to propel you to the next step.
Be Consistent.
Continuous small steps build up to big accomplishments. Get into a routine of asking yourself, “What one thing can I do today to move this forward?” The saying, “Take it one step at a time,” is well-known for a reason.
Cultivate Curiosity.
Sometimes, the best way to avoid over-thinking something is to access your curiosity and explore what is possible. Ask questions of yourself and your network. Get multiple perspectives to drive a different view.
Practice Gratitude.
Rather than allowing fear to sweep in and tell you to worry about what could go wrong or what you could lose, flip it on its head. Instead, consider what is going right and appreciate all you have. “Stop and smell the roses.” A moment of appreciate and reflection can power your productivity.
Surround Yourself With A Supportive Network.
It’s all about relationships. Embrace the diversity of your network, and connect with your champions, cheerleaders and sounding boards. The Connector’s Advantage may have been giving me nightmares, but this is a note taken directly from its pages.
Don’t let your fear hold you suspended. Be vulnerable enough to ask for help when you need it — and keep moving forward!