When you stare the bull in the eye, grab it by the horns, twist it to the ground and make it beg for mercy. What are you?

A Spanish matador?

No. You are taking control of your fear in business.

Fear is a strange thing. It can paralyze you into inaction or motivate you to take action.

The really sad thing about fear however, especially in business, is that it often prevents you from reaching your full potential. Fear is keeping you small. Fear is keeping you stuck and fear is keeping you from experiencing the abundance that life has to offer.

Some time ago, I asked myself the question: “Am I successful – in my business that is?”

I had to admit that I did reach a level of success, but I’m not where I truly want to be – not even close.”

So the next question I asked is: “What keeps me from being truly successful?”

It took me a while to come up with the right answer, but eventually I realized that I was holding myself back.

I have all these silly fears and self-limiting beliefs that keep a lid on my growth – personally and professionally. Does this scenario sound familiar to you?

The thing is: fear can manifest in many ways.

Well, maybe I’m afraid of failure – that when I start something I would not succeed. Maybe I’m not good enough; or don’t know enough; or it’s too difficult to pull off. So I procrastinate and don’t take action on things I want to do.

Maybe I’m afraid of rejection. Perhaps I’m not “one of those people” who get everything they go after. Perhaps people will think I’m crazy or too ambitious; perhaps people will say “no” to what I have to offer. So I procrastinate and don’t take action on things I want to do.

Maybe I’m afraid of success. Perhaps if I do reach the success I want, it will change my life and I don’t really want that change. I’m happy and content with where I am. I’m in a comfortable spot right now. So I procrastinate and don’t take action on doing the things that need to be done.

The truth is, there are so many unnecessary fears that we put in our own paths each day and it is time that we put a stop to it!

Adopt the “So What – What If” approach.

This approach can help you get clarity on a lot of fears that are standing in your way and help you put them into perspective – so that it’s easier to take action on the things you fear most.

It works as follows: Each time you find yourself procrastinating on doing something, it is often due to one or the other “fear”. When you can recognize the fear that is preventing you from taking action, put on your “over-confident” attitude and ask yourself “so what”. Then turn the fear into a positive with asking “what if”.

For example, if you find yourself hating to go to networking events, try to find out what you are afraid of? Perhaps you are shy or not feeling confident enough. Perhaps you fear you’ll be left standing in the corner; fear you won’t know what to say; fear “whatever” .

When you identify the fear that is holding you back, ask yourself: So what.

So what if the networking event doesn’t go as planned? So what, if you stand the whole time alone in the corner? So what if your words are all scrambled? What is the worst possible thing that can happen if the thing you fear is actually becoming a reality? Will it physically hurt you? Will you die?

Then turn it into something positive by asking yourself: What if.

What if you actually do not stand in the corner and have great conversations with other people? What if you perhaps get to know some new, interesting people? What if you meet someone you can collaborate with in future or even meet an ideal client? What if the networking event turns out to be fantastic? What are all the positive things that can come from doing the thing you fear?

With this approach, the benefits of doing something almost always outshine the negatives.

Asking “so what” makes the fear seem small and irrelevant in comparison to the benefits and gains from the “what if” and it’ll give you the motivation and confidence to take action in spite of the fear.

The bottom line is: Fear essentially comes down to a choice…

You can choose to fear something and let it keep you from stepping up in a big way. Or you can choose to take action to overcome the fear. It is ultimately a choice that only you can make…

This is my approach to combat fear. What do you do to face your fears? Share it with us on the blog / comments below.

To Your Success

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