Go for it even when you’re scared
How many times have you heard someone say, "I'll do it when I'm ready" or "I'm waiting until I feel more confident"? It's a common belief that courage means the absence of fear. But here's the truth: if you wait until you're not scared, you'll be waiting forever.
Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wisely said, "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." The secret is not to wait for courage, but to act in spite of fear. In other words: do it scared.
WE BELIEVE FEAR IS A STOP SIGN— SO WE STAY STUCK
Fear is a natural human emotion. It's our brain's way of protecting us from potential danger. But in our modern world, that same fear often holds us back from growth and opportunity. We've turned fear into a stop sign when it should be a yield sign.
Think about it. How many dreams have you put on hold because of fear? How many opportunities have slipped by because you were too scared to take action? As author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar put it, "F.E.A.R. has two meanings: 'Forget Everything And Run' or 'Face Everything And Rise.' The choice is yours."
WE BELIEVE SUCCESS REQUIRES PERFECTION— SO WE NEVER START
Here's a secret: successful people aren't fearless. They're scared too. The difference is, they take action anyway. They understand that perfection is the enemy of progress.
I once met an aspiring writer who had been working on her novel for ten years. "I'll publish it when it's perfect," she said. But here's the truth: if she had published an imperfect book ten years ago, she might be on her tenth bestseller by now.
Remember, done is better than perfect. As LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman said, "If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late."
SO WHAT'S THE ANSWER?
Do it scared. Take that first step, even if your knees are shaking. Apply for that job, even if you don't meet all the qualifications. Start that business, even if you're not sure how it'll turn out. Write that book, even if you're afraid no one will read it.
Because here's the thing: courage isn't the absence of fear. It's taking action in spite of fear. And the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Each time you face your fears, you build confidence. Each time you take action despite uncertainty, you grow stronger.