When necessary, fear can be helpful as it is your mind’s way of telling you that danger or trouble lurks ahead. However, in business, fear can wreak havoc. Most business people do not reach their full potential because fear keeps them from taking action. It chokes their drive and impedes their imagination. As a result, they hide behind their computer screens all day worried about what other people will think of them and their ideas instead of executing them.
Fear can make every obstacle seem unconquerable. It can leave you feeling too scared to put yourself and your business out there. In the end, you don’t take the necessary risks to become successful.
So how can you go from fearful to fearless in business and in life?
The trick is learning to overcome your fear. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done as fear is etched deep into our DNA. According to the late H.P. Lovecraft, a fantasy and horror author, fear is the oldest and strongest emotion of mankind. Even so, as an entrepreneur, you have no better option than to conquer these fears. You need to stare down at the demons that hold you back in life and be able to overcome them.
To achieve this, you need to be willing to do the things that scare you in order to create the life and business you yearn to have. Only then, will you be able to embrace the discomfort that comes with fear and take action.
Here are some tips to help you overcome fear and achieve your full potential:
Embrace your fears
The first and most important step to keeping fear at bay is awareness. Start by becoming aware of your fears. What makes you feel worried and fearful? What kind of thoughts goes through your head? How do you feel when you are afraid? Write down all these feelings and thoughts. You will be surprised by how much of your time you spend unconsciously experiencing fear, worries, and anxiety.
Some of the most common causes of fear in entrepreneurs include;
Fear of failing
Failure is part of life and the pathway to success. So, know that even in business, you will fail, again and again. Accept this simple fact of life and failure will never be so intimidating to you again.
Your status
This is purely your ego working against you. Status is not based on something real, but rather, perception. Therefore, do not let it get in the way of your success.
Embarrassment
Sometimes you may feel stupid, out of touch with reality, inexperienced, weak, and vulnerable. This is bound to happen. But do not let it hinder you from doing something. People get over it and forget your mistakes quickly since they are too busy doing their own things to worry about you.
Being talked about or ridiculed
It is important to understand that you can never please everyone. Also, it is not worth sacrificing yourself to accommodate another person’s belief about who you should be or what you should do.
Fearing to take on new challenges or projects stops you from achieving the greatness you are capable of. Getting to the root of your fears and acknowledging them is the first step to becoming fearless in business and in life.
Find and focus on your purpose
The fear of the unknown is natural. However, making decisions out of fear is the recipe of doom. To beat it, you need to invest your time to reflect and face your fears mindfully. Sit down, take a deep breath, relax, and come to terms with your emotions. This can help you make exciting discoveries and find your true mission, giving you new and compelling reasons to get out of bed each day. This, in turn, can ignite your passion, purpose, and desire to achieve your goals.
Make your fear useful
Although fear is a weakening emotion, when viewed from a different perspective, it can be a sign that it’s time to do something. For instance, when you are scared to do something in business, perhaps it’s your mind reminding you that it is time to make a crucial decision. To overcome this, work by increasing your familiarity with everything involved with making that important decision.
The more you face your fears and do something that scares you, the easier it becomes to overcome them. For instance, one common fear that marketers face is closing a deal. In such a case, breaking the sales cycle into multiple small closes makes closing a deal easier when it is finally time to ask for the business.
Challenge yourself
Although being an entrepreneur can be scary at times, you don’t need to be afraid of challenging yourself. Take reasonable risks and step out of your comfort zone. Most business people are too afraid to get out of their comfort zone, preferring to do things they are familiar with because they are safe and comes with a lower risk.
In business, comfort zones can be a pain as you will never know your highest potential if you don’t try new challenges that expand your skills and help you grow as an individual. You must be willing to expand your skills through learning and experiences to grow as an individual, improve your business and gain success.
Find Mentors
Mentors have been where you are and have faced the fears you are facing. It is, therefore, easier to get past them with their support and expertise. Find people whose lives and businesses you want to replicate. Take the time to find out what they do differently to become successful. If possible, ask for their guidance and assistance to help you overcome your fears and grow your business.
Becoming fearless in business and in life does not come overnight. The more you work towards it, the better you will become at it. So, let go of your fear and start making big and bold plans to steer your business and life towards success. You will not know until you try.