If things aren’t moving for you, take it as a sign that there’s something within you that needs to transform. While it’s pretty impossible to change what is happening (or not happening) around you, it is completely possible to change what is within you. And in doing that, you create an energy, a vibration, that affects those around you, so things that feel stuck begin to shift. But you can’t look at the other guy, you have to look within yourself.
For years now I’ve watched the hundreds of people I’ve worked with rail against what’s wrong with the world. We all do this when we are unsettled. Underneath our railing is fear, masked as anger or bitterness or blaming. The thing is, though, that when an entrepreneur spends her energy this way there’s not much left for her business. So things start to grind to a halt, and because we are human we all tend to look around and pick something to blame.
- It’s the economy
- Nothing will happen until after the next election
- People aren’t buying, they are afraid of losing their jobs
I’d bet you have either heard another business owner say one of those or else you have said one yourself. But guess what? Even if ALL of that is true you still have a business and you still want to make a profit, right? You can take the power away from “the economy” and place it right back on yourself. Here’s how – set aside 15 minutes, shut the door, and get comfortable. Close your eyes, breath deeply a few times, and ask yourself “what is my deepest fear right now?” Keep breathing deeply and wait for your answer. Once you’ve got it, ask yourself a second question “what do I most hope for in my life?” Again, keep breathing and wait for your answer. Now, open your eyes and write down both answers. I’d bet that your deepest wish and hope for yourself is the flip side of what your biggest fear is. Here are some examples from actual clients in the past few months:
Biggest fear: Going bankrupt
Biggest hope: Making enough money to pay for the house and send my son to college without taking out loans
Biggest fear: Being left abandoned by my spouse
Biggest hope: Spending life in a very loving, stable marriage who loves me no matter what
Biggest fear: Speaking in front of a large group about my business
Biggest hope: Getting lots of local visibility for my business and finally getting my community’s recognition for my work.
Do you see? Almost aways, our biggest hope is the flip side of our biggest fear. So doesn’t it make sense that working with our fears and allowing them to change gives us a much better chance to gain our greatest hopes?
Facing fear doesn’t have to be horribly scary. You can set yourself up in a special environment, away from your daily life, and get other entrepreneurs to coach and support you as you come to terms with actually naming and then watching your fear change. That’s one benefit of a personal business retreat, and it’s why I am taking registrations right now for my Create Your Dream Year Retreat, held in early January. Changing fear literally changes your business. It energizes you to start dreaming and planning and moving forward. And that’s exactly what this small, exclusive retreat is designed to do. You can go to https://confidentmarketer.com/site/create-your-dream-year-retreat/, but go quickly! Registration ends very soon, and early bird discount is good for just a few days right now.
In the end, our fears catch us and keep us and our businesses small, or we work with them and suddenly see our lives bloom into what we most hope for. It’s a no brainer, right?
Sue,
Thank you for sharing your insights with all of us. I enjoyed your examples as these are really what goes on in everyone’s mind whether they realize it or not. Mitch
Sue,
Beautiful post! We all need to remember this very important tip. Thank you Sue!
Kiyla Fenell
Sue,
I really love this post (and your excellent headline) and would love to share it with my anxious and fearful clients. I work with them on the biochemistry of fear (using food and nutrients) and this just adds another wonderful element they can consider!
Trudy
Hi Trudy,
You are welcome to share it your with your clients!
Sue
I love the examples you give. They really bring it home, in black and white, that your biggest fear and hope are typically polar opposites. I never really thought of it that way!
This is great, Sue. My retreat in Dec. is Creating Your Story, Change Your Story, Chang eYour Life. We have such creative power within our minds. Fear can be so overbearing, but you have provided a great awareness to help put it in its place! Thank you!
Indeed, we are our own main sphere of influence, and the key point for change when life is not flowing. I know it’s going to be a great retreat with gems like this!
I love your point of your biggest fear revealing your biggest hope. It is so true, and a great way to approach your fears and overcoming them. Thanks so much for your wonderful insight.
Thanks ‘Norman Vincent’ Painter! Seriously. This was a great and practical reminder of the power of positivity … and that the level of fear you write to us about is a distraction to our success and fulfillment.
Wonderful posting, Sue, and a great reminder that we can take charge of what WITHIN, and that that can change everything!
Great post Sue. I have heard a ton of excuses of why I shouldn’t go into business for myself but people seem to lose focus on how short time is……If you do not make a leap , after planning, when will you ever make it? The economy is always the excuse but a lot of people are making more money then they ever have during these times….Fear can be paralyzing or it can be an awesome motivator!