Comments on: Does Fear Protect Your Business Or Just Inhibit Growth?

By: Heidi Wiesenfelder

Heidi Wiesenfelder — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:07:43 +0000

Hildy, thanks for tweeting this! I agree that a next step is necessary, and that asking, “What’s the worst that could happen?” is a great option. I don’t remember where I heard it, but I do remember someone recommending that once you imagine the worst that can happen, you need to fully visualize it happening AND visualize surviving it and moving on. Then you basically accept the possibility that it may happen and that you’re willing to take that risk and move forward.

Most of the time what you fear never materializes, but even if it does you have already decided you can live with it and recover.

Heidi

By: David Svet

David Svet — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:25:52 +0000

Thanks Hildy. That’s a great point — we need to a way to get past the fear. I agree that asking, “What’s the worst that could happen?” is a great way to disarm a fear. I usually find that the worst isn’t all that bad and rarely happens.

David

By: Hildy Gottlieb

Hildy Gottlieb — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:53:15 +0000

Thanks for this, Dave! Truly you have identified a critical first step - being conscious enough to recognize which are fears we should pay attention to, and which are the ones to “get past” (for my own lack of a better word this morning).

That said, fear is hard-wired into our brains. It is why people will believe the most ridiculous nonsense if it matches and feeds into their fears. And so it is important to have a Step 2, for after we recognize the irrational fears - the step that can actually get us past those fears.

For each of us the method will be different. For me, I find it helpful to ask, “What’s the worst that could happen?” For others, it may take something else. But, as you note, none of that can happen until we see those fears for what they are, and, more importantly, for what their effect is in our lives. Thanks for a great reminder!
Hildy

By: Lee McKnight Jr.

Lee McKnight Jr. — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:21:30 +0000

Nice post as ever David-Seize the day indeed.

By: Jamie Favreau

Jamie Favreau — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:45:48 +0000

I have fears but I try and work through them and break the cycle. You can’t get your first job by just sitting back and not doing anything. So even though I have not been hired I keep working towards my goal in hopes of someone will understand me and understand which I am proactive plus I try and volunteer to work conferences because I can’t afford them. I am going to work on networking phone calls next.

By: David Svet

David Svet — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:04:26 +0000

Great thoughts, Autom! Yes, we should all read Hamlet, but no one should have to re-live Hamlet.

David

By: Autom

Autom — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:59:24 +0000

“They [fears] are the second guessing and doubts that slow you down and keep you from seizing great opportunities when they are well within your reach.”
i’m sure this statement applies to many. the subject of fear (especially within the context of self-doubt) is quite large and weighted. while it’s only natural for us to feel this way, the one thing i’ve learned based on many hard learned lessons is to utlimately trust in yourself, in your own will and ability to seize an opportunity, address a dilemma, propose a workaround, make a stand based on your intuitions, and share the cumulative knowledge you have that eventually empowers others.
a close friend once asked me rhetorically: “is it [this fear] going to kill you?” what a way to drop the anvil of objectivity and bring things into perspective.
by the same token, businesses should not allow themselves to frees up in self-doubt, despite moments when they are most challenged. in fact, it’s precisely during those moments when they need to muster their will to seize opportunities to bring clarity and focus in their game. otherwise, we’re looking at Hamlet all over again
thanks for the thoughtful share dave - autom