Whether you’re still debating about starting your own business, or you’re already established, two of the most common causes of a stalled growth are negativity and fear. Negative thoughts can come from a likely deeper fear of failure, and sometime, even a fear of success. Instead of letting your thoughts become your future, embrace your fear and use it as fuel to keep moving toward your goals.
Here are my 3 tips for moving past fear and negativity.
Name your fears
Naming your fears takes the internal negativity and puts it outside of yourself. It also helps to make it seem less serious. This is much like when someone has a chronic illness. You start by recognizing that you are not your illness. You are someone with a chronic illness. For example, I’m Haley with migraines, not the lady with migraines, Haley.
You are not your fears. You are someone with fears. Overcoming them will be much easier when you realize that you are not defined by your fears, illnesses, or anything else for that matter.
Journal
Journaling is a huge part of overcoming any emotional setback, but especially so in conquering fear. Buy yourself a journal or notebook that you can dedicate to Negativity Notes or something similar. Make it pretty and buy a nice pen to go with it if it will help motivate you to write in it.
When your negative thoughts make their appearance, write them down every time. Once you collect enough Negativity Notes, you’ll get a better understanding on what is going on in your head and when. Likely it’s been thoughts you’ve had before and they repeat frequently. This clarity will help you to avoid situations when you have your negative thoughts and fears.
Be sure to keep track of your wins and revelations. This will help you track your progess. Being able to look back on fears you had, and how you overcame them and the good that results, will help keep you encouraged during hard times.
Face your fears
It may seem scary, but facing your fears head on helps to move through them. We all need to step out of our comfort zones, but when we are faced with our fears head on, it’s painful. We naturally want to avoid any type of pain. When we face our fears and show them who’s boss of our lives, the pain will shrink and eventually disappear. However, if you decide to stay in your comfort zone to avoid pain, the fear will continue to fester and grow stronger. Fears don’t disappear when we ignore them.
Use this fear as an opportunity to grow and become empowered. There are many fears you will experience while owning your own business, accept that, and don’t quit.
As George Addair said, “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” Once you accept and move through your fear, you will get everything you want. By implementing my tips to do so, you’re only 3 steps away from finally reaching your dreams!