There’s one threat to progression that every professional faces in their career, whether they realize it or not: fear.
Fear is a powerful emotion. It often masquerades as a protective cloak, keeping us from doing things that could harm us. But sometimes the real harm comes from the inaction that fear enables.
The difference between a mediocre career and a successful one often lies in the ability to overcome fear; Here are the top three ways how:
1. Confirm that it exists
You cannot conquer your fears until you face them. And fear can show itself in sneaky ways in your career:
It makes you hesitate.
you are not lazy; you are afraid When we procrastinate, we avoid the uncomfortable feelings that come with the task. Procrastination is rooted in fear – of failure, of success, or of not being perfect.
You feel like a scammer.
Even if you are competent, fear can cause you to lack confidence. Imposter syndrome is broadly defined as doubting your abilities and feeling like an imposter. Ironically, it affects disproportionately high performers who have trouble accepting their achievements and wonder if they deserve accolades.
It fills your head with negative self-talk.
At one point, for fear of ridicule or rejection, you told yourself it was okay not to pursue what you wanted. You fill your head with negative stories that prevent you from learning, growing and spreading your wings. you say things like I’m not good enough, I’m not readyor i am only one __________ (whatever you are now), no _________ (whatever you want to be). Self-sabotaging talk can be a dream killer and a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is a doom-loop. It sows doubt, so we withdraw and succumb to the negative stories echoing in our minds.
It makes you blame external forces for holding you back.
You could achieve your goals if only (fill in the space) wouldn’t hold you back, right? It’s much easier to blame others for your lack of growth than to step out of your comfort zone. The truth is that the things that stop you from growing are not external; they are internal. It’s easy to think that other forces – your boss, the economy, or bad luck – are blocking your path. Not true.
It causes you to fall into the “good enough” trap.
They are employed and have supportive friends and family. you have a good life So good that you should Be thankful. You should be happy. You should Feel guilty for wanting otherwise when so many would kill to be in your shoes. In the end, you “should” look at yourself. You convince yourself that rocking the boat would upset everyone around you, and who wants that? Instead of chasing your dreams, you settle for the good.
The sooner you acknowledge that fear is gripping your career, the sooner you can work to overcome it.
2. Redefine failure as an essential part of success
When was the last time you failed?
If you’re like most people, you’d rather not say these shortcomings, and instead bury them along with the feelings of shame, regret, and embarrassment that often accompany them.
But top executives and entrepreneurs understand that failure and success are not mutually exclusive; You are connected. They use mistakes as fuel and learn what not to do so they can fine-tune their approach and move on. They also see failure as nothing to fear as the pain is short-lived. For them, the mediocrity that breeds fear is far more annoying and poses a greater threat than failure ever could.
By redefining failure as a component of success—rather than a negative alternative—you adjust your mindset to a more positive one, where you view failure as a necessity.
3. Act anyway
We avoid the things that make us uncomfortable, of course, but there is no growth in the status quo. Sooner or later that caution and those fears that keep you from getting hurt or embarrassed will bring you to a halt. The most successful professionals understand this and act anyway. Even a small step in the right direction brings more progress than inaction. Remember, if you want something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done. And action is the antidote.
As one of my favorite George Addair quotes puts it, “All you ever wanted is to sit on the other side of fear.” Now is the time to go there.
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