"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face”
Recently I have had several conversations with clients regarding the steps they are taking towards business growth. More specifically, the steps they are not taking. The opportunities they are not pursuing and the actions they are procrastinating on because they are scared of hearing those dreaded two letters: NO.
I can relate.
There have been times in my life where I have lacked confidence in my abilities and that lack of confidence, negatively influenced my behaviour. It made me afraid to take action, paralysing me.
When I sold my first business I spent a lot of time reflecting on my successes on the journey. However, I also reflected on the lessons learnt and the areas I recognised improvements needed to be made. One of the key areas was around being with taking action (hence my mantra: Think Big, Take Action, Keep Pushing). I am totally aware that I may not have needed to sell the business if I had simply stepped outside of my comfort zone consistently. If I had enough belief in myself and my abilities and acted accordingly.
I do recognise that different people will come to this at different points along their entrepreneurial journeys. Yet, if you are trying to grow your business, it is important that you step out and take action regardless of your levels of confidence in yourself and/or your business. You don’t have to be confident that the answer will be yes. You simply need to have the resolve and the discipline to pursue opportunities irrespective of the possible outcome. Feel the fear and do it anyway. It is a cliché but it provides clear instructions for achieving success.
If you dream of success, you have to ignore that voice in your head telling you that you can’t, that you aren’t enough, that they will say no, that they will ignore you. You don’t need to wait until you are a bigger business, until you complete that course, until you have a certain amount of staff or a target turnover. DO IT ANYWAY!! You are allowed to be scared, but you cannot let that fear stop you from progressing.
By not doing it, you are slowing down your progress. You are stunting your growth. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Real growth won’t happen whilst you are hiding behind comfort and ease. Instead of hiding, confront your fears and immerse yourself in it.
I remember being terrified of doing Instagram stories and lives. In September I committed to doing a live or a story every single day for the entire month. I announced on my social media what I would be doing, so I couldn’t back out (I would have been too embarrassed if someone called me out). I then did it. At first it was awkward and nerve wracking. However, within a short time, I realised that it really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Now I do an Instagram live twice a week every week. I have secured several clients on the back of showing up consistently on social media.
So…
If you find yourself putting things to the bottom of your to do list because they feel too scary.
If you stop yourself making that phone call because you are scared they will say no.
If you aren’t putting your prices up because you fear no one will pay.
If you declined that speaking engagement because you don’t think you are a good speaker.
If you won’t do that thing again because it didn’t work out the first time.
Then you are letting fear stunt your growth! STOP IT!
My Challenge to you:
- Commit to doing one thing each week that scares you
- At the start of the week share what that thing will be, with an accountability buddy (or on social media if you’re feeling super brave)
Or
- Pick one thing that terrifies you
- Do it every day for two weeks
Good luck 🙂