I’ve written about fear in one of my Manuals, but there is something about fear and business that I may not have been clear about: we all have it. Every single businessperson has fear–successful people do, just as less successful ones do. The difference is in how one deals with the fear.
If you are afraid and own up to it, face it, and challenge the fear, you are more likely to be successful. Some call that “courage,” and if that word works for you, then use it. What it is, whatever you call it, is taking risks and being open to living with the results.
We do that every day. Every day we take a risk driving (accidents), playing a sport (hurting yourself) or even just eating (food poisoning). There’s a risk in taking a shower (you could slip) or taking some medication (side effects) and there are big risks in falling in love (a broken heart). And yet we do these things regularly. Why? Because the payoffs are worth it and we know that we can live with the results (even if they are painful).
Can you imagine never being in love? Sure, you’d never run the risk of getting hurt. You could protect your heart and rationalize it by saying that over 50% of relationships break up, etc. That sounds reasonable. But, you’d never know the joy of an intimate relationship or passion or the sublime absolute trust that someone is totally there for you even in your lowest moment.
So it is in business. You can play it safe, not take risks, and be like most everyone else who is trying to do the same thing, or you can try something new and risky, but which might pay off in a big way.
Did you become a creative to do what others have already done, or did you do it because you see things differently and/or you want to express something more in your work?
Take the risk–be your whole self and show your true vision. Be passionate. Put yourself out there. Yes, you may fall on your face, but you’ll be truly alive in the process and, more importantly, you can only be great if you try.