In this blog post, I’m going to share how fear can be an energy drainer and 3 top fear busting strategies to help you in your business.
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When I first started learning about coaching, I came across an ‘Energy Drainers’ exercise, where you had to write down all the things that were draining your energy, so it might be business related, like a job that you’re procrastinating on, or personal like a dripping tap for example.
What I’ve learned over time is that fear can also drain your energy – BIG time. I’m always banging on about how you should work on your mindset to help you overcome any blocks in being visible, and it’s true.
Mindset is a MASSIVE part of being successful. If you’ve got things that are standing in your way and holding you back then you need to kick them to the kerb.
It sounds so simple but it’s not always that easy. It may be that like me, you’re an introvert, so showing up can sometimes feel like hard work. I can be super visible for a while, working through any fears that show up and then I need to retreat for a bit to recover some of my energy. Perhaps you have imposter syndrome, where you think that you’re not as good as you actually are, and are going to be ‘found out’ one day. You will be, you’ll be found out to be the fabulous business owner that you are!
I’ve been doing lots of research lately with potential ideal clients to find out what really holds them back in business, and the number 1 thing is fear. They are afraid.
Afraid of not being good enough.
Afraid of being ‘found out’ as a fraud (despite being incredible at what they do!)Afraid of being criticised if they do share content.
Afraid of being compared to others.
Afraid they don’t have enough experience, or enough to say, or the right things to say.
So much fear.
Fear doesn’t have to run the show. You get to choose what you do with it.
Here’s 3 ways that you can bust your fears:
- Take action
This is the fastest way to smash through your fears. Brave action ideally, but any action is a step in the right direction. Set an intention of what you’re going to do, declare it to someone else (personally I think this REALLY helps) – when you know someone is going to hold you accountable and take no excuses off you, then it’s way more likely that you’ll take action. Go out there and do it.
In the film, We Bought A Zoo, Matt Damon says to his son, “Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will come of it.”
How could you show insane courage for just 20 seconds?
- Sit with your fear
I know! I never thought that phrase would come out of my mouth either! I know for me, anything about feelings is a bit uncomfortable. If there’s a way I can logically work out a problem, that would totally be my go-to plan rather than sit and ‘feel’ into it, but actually it’s a great thing to learn how to do. Yes, my lovely mentors, I have been listening!
Feelings are there for a reason, they’re a guide to help us move forward. What are you really scared of? If you dig deep, you’ll realise it isn’t always what you think.
Instead of stressing about why it’s coming up, or getting yourself tied up in knots like a pretzel, be a witness of your fear. Say to yourself, “Isn’t it interesting that I feel fearful about xxx, I wonder what is it about xxx that’s making me feel fearful.” Notice what comes up when you do this exercise. You could journal the ideas to get even more clarity.
I’m sure you’ll have heard of the acronym of FEAR being used as False Evidence Appearing Real. We might be basing our fears around previous ‘evidence’ of what’s happened, but how do we even know that it will play out in the same way. What if circumstances have changed since the last time? What if we have changed? Start to gather evidence of things that have gone really well when you’ve ‘put yourself out there’, record those things that you’ve conquered over time.
- Focus on the here and now
I was talking in my Fearless Visibility Diva group just last week about being in the here and now. I think it was Danielle Laporte that said if we could just focus on the here and now then there is no need for fear because you’re not in the past or the future so there is literally nothing to fear. How can you stay focused in the moment?
Maybe you’re just about to post a message in a group, and your fear is rearing its ugly head, shouting to you that it won’t be good enough, that what you want to say is silly. What if instead of running that story you create a whole new one, where you visualise yourself being successful? Step into the confident version of you that creates amazing posts and is a real inspiration to others.
Don’t let fear stop you in business. Pushing through comfort zones is all part of being a business owner. Find ways to move through fear so that it doesn’t cost you missed opportunities/business.
If you want some support come and join my fabulous 6-week programme, Fearless Visibility Diva. Learn how to feel more confident being visible with strategies and tools to work on your fear, worry, self-doubt, while taking action on your business. Find out more here.. www.bit.ly/FearlessVisDiva.
Call to Action: Your call to action this week is to choose one of the three tips and make it work for you – Take action, sit with your fear or focus on the here and now. Which one will you choose? Let me know how it works out for you 🙂
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