Where are you headed? Are you moving forward?
Sometimes all it takes is a little comment from someone whose opinion you value to wake you up and motivate change. Has that happened to you?
About six months ago I had three of those interesting conversations with colleagues within a couple of days, and the big realization that came out of it for me was just how much I was operating in fear instead of faith, that I wasn’t allowing myself to be powerful, and that I was the thing holding myself back… and they showed me the huge possibilities waiting for me on the other side of that fear…
To many people around me it looked like I was making big steps forward and making things happen.
But they knew I wasn’t yet. (Surround yourself with people who see through what others don’t and who really see YOU.)
I was still holding myself back by running away from the things that scared me. I was avoiding opportunities and chances because they involved risk.
So I created a new goal for myself. Every single day I do one thing that scares me or makes me really uncomfortable. One moment of bravery. I’m leaning into that feeling.
Sometimes it’s a personal risk. Sometimes it’s a business risk.
Big or little. Doesn’t matter. One thing every day.
It’ll never be perfect. I may never feel ready. So I’ll do it now.
Sometimes I start… stop… and have to try again, or find a different risk to take for the day…
I’m doing a lot of “take a deep breath and trust it’ll be okay” lately…
Reaching out to someone I’m intimidated by but want to connect with.
Talking to strangers for no reason but to see if I can get them to smile.
Jumping into a conversation I’m nervous about contributing to.
Going down a water slide with my kids (anyone else out there afraid of water, small spaces and heights?).
Sharing from an open place of total honesty.
Engaging with someone smarter than I am and being okay with sounding foolish because the reward of learning and growing is worth it.
Booking a ticket to go on a trip alone. Committing to staying present and engaged.
Stepping into the spotlight and saying yes to opportunities.
Answering questions I might not have the answers to.
Investing money in something I feel is right but aren’t sure yet how it’ll pay off.
Admitting I’m scared (of something you probably aren’t). Admitting I’m excited (when you might think I’m bit crazy for it).
Reading something that I know will challenge my beliefs.
Blogging about moving through my fears. (Today this post is my brave action.)
Showing up as more of myself.
Why? Because my fears are keeping me right here where I’m at. That’s okay for this moment. But it’s not okay to stay here. Pushing through them is how I become who I’m meant to be in this world.
I dare you to do the same. Break though a moment of fear every day. It will force you to face your personal ghosts, to acknowledge where you’re close minded or have prejudices, and radically change your business and life.
Your thoughts?
Michelle, it is so true that our fears hold us back! And that’s great when we are seeing an alligator scratching on our front door (which actually happens in some states). But, as you say, sometimes its talking-to-an-awesome-person that scares us. Thanks for a great list and for suggesting the fear-a-day challenge! Even though I’ve taught a 9-week un/fear class for churches, you’ve given me some fresh food for thought. Great post!
Hey Kebba, okay in the case of the alligator, don’t confront that fear alone!! Up here, that would be bears to worry about on the doorstep and there’s one fear I won’t be trying to push through. I forgot to mention that some fears are healthy fears. ;)
That sounds like a GREAT class you’ve been presenting. Very cool.
Oh Michelle…you say it so well! It is an awesome & scary message at the same time, thank you for the challenge. And the accountable growth…..you are an inspiring woman. I love your space…cheers, from an avid fan Roni xx
Thanks for reading and commenting, Veronica. I appreciate you!
Fear can really be very stiffling. It can keep us in a rut at times too. Glad to read that you are trying to conquer your fears one step at a time. I recently talked about how I conquered my fear of fire on my blog :)
It can be, Dominique. It’s amazing what fear can do. And how liberating it can be to conquer even small fears. Way to go with your fear of fire!
Way to go, Michelle! Totally understand you on the waterslide thing: water, heights & enclosed spaces…yup, pretty much sums up my fears. Add some big spiders and I’m sunk!!
Thanks so much for sharing – Carrie
Yeah I haven’t faced the spiders fear yet… *shudder* I’ll let you conquer that first, then you can guide me through it, Carrie! ;)
I am going to make a list of things that are outside my comfort zone that I want, need or should do and I will let you know how well I do at checking them off :D Michelle, your amazing awesomeness is so appreciated! Do you know how inspiring you really are to so many of us? I haven’t come as far as I would like to be, but I am a LOT farther than I was 3 years ago and I attribute part of that to you! Thank you so much! ((hugs)) XOXO
Hey Kimberly, I totally get that. Someone recently told me that in a year I wouldn’t recognize myself and I said the “me” today barely recognizes the “me” from a year ago now, so I like imagining where I’ll be in another year… :)
Great idea to make a list to attack! Love it!
I appreciate this reminder. Post well written, I was with you on this journey, appreciated examples, too. I was with you because I saw your honesty from the beginning. As women it takes especial (is that a word?) bravery, as being assertive, at least for me, seems a little unreceptive, not like the feminine I grew up with, and there are more risks for women than men to be called a name for putting themselves out there. Though lately, it seems that name is a positive one!!!
It can be a challenge to be assertive in situations where that’s not a “praised” quality for us as women. But it’s a battle worth choosing. :)
I totally LOVE your proposal Michelle and I’ve been doing that a LOT lately, including today when I took a “less than perfect” shot at putting my Pinterest class in workbook form into the world. I wiffled and waffled and wiggled and sniggled and I did it.
Now on to my next fear.
Muah!
Yay! Celebrating with you that you got it out there where it can help people, MamaRed. :)
Thanks sooooooooo much Michelle. That fear thing? One of tricks I use and teach my clients is to invite that fear to take a break for a while (my favorite thing is to send her to Santorini to play on the beach) and then do your thang while the fear is out playing. Who knows, she might even decide to take a permanent break!
I like that. Send her on a vacation!
Michelle, this is awesome! I just got off the phone with a client who was talking about how her fears are stopping her from moving forward in her business. I’m going to send your post to her! :) It’s like when the dad in We Bought a Zoo talks about how all you need is 30 seconds of courage…Love it!
I love that scene in We Bought a Zoo — awesome. And thank you for sharing, Iris. :)
Heh Michelle,
Heh Michelle,
Well written and thought stimulating. Even though we know something, a reminder helps us to stay on track. I’ve faced many fears, and I give thanks for having the courage to face them head on. But this post reminded of those I’ve been avoiding. This is a gentle reminder for me to address them.
As long as we’re breathing, there will always be another fear to address and another level of success to achieve. It’s important to enjoy the journey and appreciate all of our accomplishments.
Keep shining your light as the authentic you.
That’s so true, Adalia. The challenges and fears change but there’s always space for us to continue to grow–and take time to celebrate how far we’ve come. :)
Michelle, I could have written this one. Fear is one of my big stumbling blocks too. I have a lot of head knowledge about stuff but very little action behind what I know – Fear being the reason. I will scoot to the edge and be ready to jump but then think “what was I thinking?” and run back to my comfy couch and snuggly blanket.
Action is one of those key words that I’m challenging myself with this year. I do it afraid, stumble and maybe even fall on my face but each time I do, I’m better for it. I grow.
You have always been a special person in cyberworld to me ever since Amity. I have seen you grow not only your business but as a person.
You are brave and those people who tell you that you can do more and be more are right. The best thing is you have a big heart to go with all your power which means the world is immensely blessed by your risk taking.
<3 and virtual hugs
Hey Sara, I still miss the old Amity… it was such a wonderful place. I learned so much there.
And there’s room under my blanket if you want to share the hiding space (I can’t say I don’t frequently find myself there LOL), as well as a hand to hold when you’re ready to jump off the cliff. We can do it together. :) Know that I’m rooting for you!
We all have so much potential, and it’s so much easier to see in others than in ourselves. And thank you. <3
This is great Michelle,
Last week I did that I called it being bold, doing one brave thing everyday is a brilliant idea. Doing my being series i am sharing things that i normally keep hidden. What is wonderful is the response is wonderful
I am going to take on boards some of your suggestions
thank you
Hey Suzie, that IS wonderful. Being bold is a great way to describe it. :)
I’m right there with you Michelle. I made a similar commitment at the beginning of 2013. To do something that scared me. Although I chose to phrase it, “Do something scary today and tomorrow – if it still feels like the right thing I’ll keep doing it indefinitely”. It kind of took some of the “new year pressure” off & it’s working out great. Tomorrow I’m hosing my first webinar with over 100 registrants (that’s scary for me) and I’m doing more things on a whim than I’ve ever done before. No skydiving or waterslides though :)
AWESOME!!! I hope your webinar went fabulously — I’m sure you rocked it, Loralee. :)
For me, it’s hard to move out of my comfort zone, simply because there aren’t many things that do scare me.
Hey Linda, that’s great! We’ll just follow your bold lead. :)
“Jumping into a conversation I’m nervous about contributing to. ”
This is something I worry all the time in the internet. To be honest, I’m scared of leaving comments on blogs outside my friends list. I’m taking the first few steps to conquer this fear by commenting on your blog posts.
Jane, you’re welcome here anytime. :)
And I hope it helps to know you aren’t alone. Lots of us get a little nervous about that.
When I started consciously commenting on blogs of people I’d like to connect with more, Idiscovered that no one actually bites! ;)
I can absolutely relate to most of your fears. I have always been scared to take risks and have always stayed on the comfort zone. I am scared to approach and talk to people i am intimidated with and those smart ones I know I might be foolish to look at are good examples of my fears.
This is super cool – and so true.
Does commenting on this blog for the first time in a very long time count? :-) Wow, what an ambitious thought; making oneself uncomfortable every single day, a moment of bravery. Shocking when one thinks of it like that and yet it really could be a way of working through many of the challenges we all have, in my case marketing my business. Do I have the courage? Not sure, but I’m definitely going to think about it. Actually, today I will be doing it, but it’s only because I have to upgrade the database of my oldest blog per my host; scary!
You can do it, Mitch! And welcome back. :)
Oh wow – fantastic challenge! And one I’m definitely guilty of avoiding for sure.
Thanks for making me think about my level of risk taking in my business!