Are You Hiding From Fears? What Would Arlene Say?

I have some clichés I use to remind my clients they aren’t doing what needs to be done. Are you looking for clients under your desk? Are you hiding in spreadsheets and processes? Most of us have done it. I know I have been called out a time or two. When entrepreneurs get rolling sometimes the fear we don’t even acknowledge kicks in and excuses and distractions take the driver’s seat.

It’s no fun facing the prospect of getting a no from a client or colleague. Have you delayed getting feedback because of the fear it will be negative? If you find you are stalling, consider if you would rather get the negative feedback now or in six months after going even further in the wrong direction. Every no or negative you acquire on your journey is one piece of knowledge that brings you closer to the next yes. The sooner you can hear that No the sooner you reach your Yes.

It can be just as terrifying to hear that “Yes!” I find a fair number of clients afraid of a yes because they aren’t perfect yet. They spend time stalling by seeking perfection in procedures and templates, when in reality they will never reach “perfect” and processes evolve over time. Better to quit hiding and start learning by doing.  

Don’t Let Perfect Get in the Way of Good Enough

Another favorite cliché. This one dates back to 1603!  People have been struggling with this for over 400 years. Recently, I was discussing my lax blogging habits with my coach. I had topics and plenty to say, but because I had leapt from idea to my writing challenges, I froze because it just seemed too daunting. My coach actually created a hilarious permission slip for me to create crappy copy. She urged me to embrace the “rough” in rough draft!

I want all of you to embrace the rough and get moving. I am not advocating publishing your rough work, but get off the mark and on your way to a final version whether it is your elevator pitch, your next blog post, or your onboarding process. Take that first step.

Be honest with yourself. Take a good look at what you are doing each day and make sure it is moving you forward, not providing you a hiding place to avoid your fears.

Are You Still Hiding?

Get yourself a Mastermind Group, an accountability partner, or a coach (my personal favorite!) to help you see what you are afraid of, create a plan for combatting those fears, and break away from those hiding places. Use these people to help you create a space to discover and surmount what holds you back. You will be amazed at how quickly you can move beyond a fear once it is said out loud. Surround yourself with colleagues who can help you transcend fears.

Balancing what is fun and comfortable with what stretches and stresses you is a demanding process in building your business, but in the end you’ll be glad you came out of the shadows and quit hiding from your fears.