Have you ever avoided taking action because you were afraid of putting yourself out there?
The tension between wanting to hide and wanting to succeed is a feeling I know all too well.
But I also know that if I want to do work I love, I have to take a step into the unknown.
I can’t let other people, or my fears, control my life.
Yes, you may face negativity when you start a business, write a book, or whatever it is that you want to do.
But so what?
Let people criticize you, but you keep moving toward what makes you come alive.
Why Are We So Afraid Of Putting Ourselves Out There?
There’s a reason public speaking is one of the biggest fears. Some people would rather die than get up on stage.
We, as a people, are deathly afraid of what other people think of us.
What you may not realize is that other people are busy thinking the same thing. At some point in our evolution, I’m sure that this fear of standing out came in handy, but it isn’t relevant anymore, not if you want to follow your passion.
Standing out is a necessity if you want to do what you love. Don’t shy away from your fear.
Let it lead you to opportunity, growth and an interesting life.
How to Move Forward Despite Fear
The truth is that you’ll move forward when you’re sick of staying where you are.
Think about where you’ll be five, ten or even twenty years from now if you let your fears decide your path.
It doesn’t look appetizing, does it?
Now think about where you’ll be when you move through your fears. How would your life be different?
You see, when you think about putting yourself out there, you’re letting self-created thoughts control you. You don’t know what people will think of you even if the worst happens.
You can only speculate, which means you’re being shackled by fantasy.
On top of that, even if people think the worst of you, it might be the best thing that happens to you, because it might force you to transcend your fears.
As I’ve kept facing my fears, I’ve learned that my fears all too often have no bearing in reality.
This is because I don’t feel the world directly. I feel the world through my own virtual reality, which is made up of sensations that my mind interprets.
These sensations are filtered through my conditioning, beliefs, and values, all of which I’ve picked up from the world around me.
Being Fearless is a Myth
When I push my boundaries, fear may come for the occasional visit. Being afraid is a sign that I’m living my life.
Even if I get rid of my fears today, more may take their place tomorrow.
So it’s not about becoming fearless, but relating to your fears differently, not taking them so seriously.
Below is a short video on why you don’t have to be fearless:
Make a Decision to Start, Right Now
Everyone is afraid of putting themselves out there.
The people who succeed are afraid, just like you, just like me, but they take action anyway, because they’ve discovered the truth. When I stopped waiting for things to be perfect, I started seeing surprising results in my life and my business.
The same will happen to you, too, if you’re willing to start.
Don’t wait. Instead do what you can with what you have.
Put yourself out there and challenge your fears. See what happens, instead of believing a story in your head.
Start by taking one tiny step.
No grand plans needed.
Just the willingness to wonder what lies beyond your fears.
All the best,
Henri
P.S. Would you like to dive deeper into learning how to do what you love? Then I invite you to check out my popular book Do What You Love: Essays on Uncovering Your Path in Life.
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