None of us are strangers to the phrase, "Do it Afraid." We may even say its's outdated
and that we've moved on. Maybe we're not saying it anymore, but it's still a thing and many
of us find ourselves stuck and stymied because of fear.
Here's what I know. The fear isn't going anywhere. If we intend to move on and accomplish great things in our live and work, then we have to accept that fear and yes, even failure, are part of the ride.
Rather then be put off and dissuaded, it's time we make peace with it and remember that it's a barometer for our growth. We wouldn't be afraid if there was nothing to be afraid of, right? We feel fearful because we stand on a precipice holding out our deepest work and offerings to the world. What if they reject us or worse yet, ignore us" What if they do? Perhaps it means we need to re-examine who "they" are, maybe we need to take a closer look at defining and refining our work, who it's for or clarify the transformation it brings. Which brings me to the question--what if they don't? What if they don't reject or ignore you and your amazing work? Will you be less afraid? In my experience, there is a greater fear of stepping into our genius, brilliance and God-given gifts. And that's where a beautiful transformative process takes place, when you feel the fear and do it anyway!
So here are a few ways to step forward and embrace all that is there for you in your bravery and tenacity to "do it afraid"--
Take small steps How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Don't try to tackle something huge if it makes you feel overwhelmed. Break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Prepare and aligned plan and pathway Research what needs to be done ahead of time and create a plan of action. Having an aligned plan helps to stay true to you and makes the tasks less intimidating. Begin with the end in mind and then reverse engineer your next, best steps for today, that you can take toward your desired outcome.
Talk it out If you're feeling anxious and overwhelmed, it's okay. That's part of growth, of evolving and becoming. Talking to someone you trust can help. A friend, family member or colleague can help you to gain perspective and reduce your fear. Self-talk works, too, as you guide yourself through what you want to happen next. Saying it out loud galvanizes courage and inspires action.
Reward yourself When you accomplish something that you were afraid of, reward yourself. This will help to boost your confidence and make it easier to tackle the next challenge. You've been here before. You've already gone to what you thought would be the end of ,yourself and have found there is still more to do, that you still have heart and vision for your soulful, beautiful work. That's why it's seems scary and daunting. So be sure to celebrate your micro wins as you move in the direction of your goals and dreams.
Be optimistic Remind yourself that you can do it, even if it feels difficult. Focus on the positive aspects of the task and focus on what you can achieve. Lean into your strengths and recognize where you're not so strong or have no desire for the work at hand. Circle the wagons and enlist help as you need it. There's no glory in doing it all yourself. Yet, there is power in synergy and collaboration. Look back at what you've already accomplished in the past. It will fortify as you uplevel to new heights in your life and work.
Everything above could be a note to myself I've been "doing it afraid" most of my entrepreneurial journey. Things just a little beyond my reach and out of my comfort zone, help elevate and propel me to new places in myself. More gracious now at midlife, I still find that while I may not be as ambitious in the climb, I'm no less dedicated to the pursuit of wholehearted alignment in my life and work as I serve my tribe and community.
On the cusp of this New Year, let's press on, doing wholeheartedly aligned work that lights us up and lights the way for others.
Want to jump on a quick call to discuss how to move past the impasse and barriers that may be inhibiting your best work yet? I'd love to have virtual coffee with you and support you in your signature work.