What Are You Afraid of?

Is fear getting in your way?

A few years ago I consulted with Trish, an aspiring author. We originally met at an author event where she asked the question, “How would you go about getting a children’s book published?  I’ve written a story and I’m not sure what to do next.”  I worked with her for a few months and within the year she was a published author. I frequently run into her now at events.

However, coaching wasn’t just a matter of sharing a few tips and contacts in the publishing world. “I think I need to get over my fears,” she said at one point.  “I think I’m afraid of success.”  Could this be true for you? Our fears often define us and keep us from moving forward don’t they?  Here are some of the most common fears that I hear from clients:

• What if I fail?
• What if no one wants to buy my product or my services?
• What if I’m fooling myself and I’m not really any good at ________?
• What if I make the wrong decision?
• What if I work and work at this and nothing happens?
• What if I have an event and NO ONE comes?

I’ve experienced them all. Trust me, my brain works overtime on the ways I could fail.

Are You Asking the Right Questions?

Maybe we aren’t asking the right questions though.  Maybe we should be asking questions like:

What are the possibilities ahead?

How can I dream bigger?  Create more?  Serve others more?

What if I succeed? What would that look like?

Sometimes it is not a fear of failure but a fear of success that paralyzes us.

It was only after Trish’s comment that I started counting up what I have accomplished toward my dream of publishing a book and sustaining myself as a writer, speaker and coach. Two websites, two ongoing blogs, eight books, regularly speaking and selling books at events, a coaching business where I help others attain their dreams…  isn’t it funny how our fears get in the way of acknowledging our accomplishments?

What are your accomplishments?

Are you giving yourself credit for them?

We all experience fear as we anticipate the future ahead.  We all need someone to both support and challenge us.  Who does that for you?  Complimentary Coaching Clarity Call

Thinking about Dream Achiever Coaching?  Do it now.  Be vulnerable and trust the process.  Don’t see this as a program but as a way to find out who you are and what you need and want for your own future.  I leave each call feeling validated, supported and more confident in my ability to solve my own problems and take my own next steps.  Heather Gill