You have a big goal – maybe it’s starting your own creative business. You buy courses, take some action but then when you get to a certain point you stop. Shiny object syndrome may kick in and you see another course that looks amazing, or another book to read, and the cycle continues. When you get to a point where it feels uncomfortable, you move on to something that feels new and more exciting.
Sound familiar?!?
Let’s say for example…
You’re creating art with the intention of selling it, but you’re not publishing it on social media or telling anyone about it and wondering why no one is buying it!
You say you want to be more visible online, you create a YouTube account, yet no videos!
What’s going on here?
You are focusing on your FEARS and forgetting WHY you started in the first place.
The fear may be worrying about what people will say, thinking you’re not good enough, getting nasty comments on your posts or worse yet – NO comments and zero interaction! The fear seems so big – it’s swirling in your head which is leading to feeling stuck.
Ahhhh!!! We’ve all been there!
A couple of months ago I had an opportunity to work on a project in Queens/Long Island. I really wanted to do it – it seemed like it would be a lot of fun but there was one thing holding me back – I was afraid to drive there! I’ve never driven to Queens or Long Island and I made it into a huge thing!
What if I get lost?
What if I get into an accident?
I don’t know all of those highways – it seems way too confusing!
My natural instinct was to check how I’d get there by public transportation. It looked something like this…
- Long walk to the subway
- Subway ride into Manhattan
- Long Island Railroad train to Queens
- A bus ride to get me closer
- Walk from the bus stop to the client’s home
OMG! It would take me at least 2 hours if I did it that way!
I decided to stop focusing on my fear and instead journaled on WHY I wanted to do that project. Journaling is always my go-to way to figure things out!
I got so excited and logistically planned it out. I looked at MapQuest to see where I’d be going. The GPS system and CarPlay were both working in the car and I had the voice telling me where to go. I LOVE the voice!!! 🙂
I said yes to the project and was definitely nervous on my drive over there.
But guess what?!? When I got to my client’s hone safely, on time (actually early) and in one piece :), I was so proud of myself for doing it and getting past my fear! By the time it came to drive back home, I was way more confident. By Day 2, the fear had completely subsided so much so that I couldn’t even believe that I was making it such a big deal! It literally melted away and I couldn’t get myself back to that feeling again even if I tried!
Now my comfort zone has expanded and driving to Queens or Long Island is a no brainer for me!
This example may sound silly, but I’m telling you the fear was REAL!
So...what fear is holding you back?
Try out these journaling exercises and see what comes up for you. When you get the fear out of your head and onto paper, it’ll feel less scary and you’ll be able to process it better and move on.
Journaling Prompts
- What am I afraid of?
- What’s the worst thing that could happen? Would that really be so bad?
- What’s the best thing that could happen? How amazing would that be?
- What if it all works out?
- How would you feel if you never achieved your goal?
- Who else would be affected? How does that make you feel?
- Why is this goal important to you?
- How would you feel when you achieved it?
- How can you make it happen?
- What small step can you take to move in the right direction starting now?
Your desires matter! You are bigger than your fears!!! You CAN do whatever you set your mind to!
Comment below and let me know what comes up for you!
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