Are you afraid that you can’t achieve your goals?
Worried your dreams are unrealistic and you just can’t do it?
Are you afraid of failure? Afraid you can't do it? Feel the fear, but don't let it stop you from taking actions on your dreams. Click here to learn how to do it scared. #Fear #Mindset #Dreams #Anxiety
I need to be really honest with you and admit that I’m scared. I’m not exactly keeping track, but I freak out at least once a week (progress, used to be once a day) about any and all of the following:
- Where am I?
- Where do I want to be?
- Why am I not there yet?
- How am I going to accomplish my dreams?
- Will I truly remain free from the 9-5 work cycle?
- Am I delusional just thinking that I could actually get there?
- Why am I still afraid that I maybe can’t, maybe won’t or never will?
Table of Contents:
Do you know what it’s like? Wondering and worrying that achieving your dreams and goals isn’t possible.
Maybe you spend time anticipating that failure, the moment when everything comes crashing down. When you simply can’t fake it until you make it.
Perhaps, you dread the day when your goals have to change when reality catches up to you.
NOPE! Stop that negative self-talk right now. It’s okay to be afraid, but as long as you keep believing in yourself, keep working towards success, you WILL reach your goals.
This voice of doubt, the voice of cynicism is just the negative thoughts of your subconscious mind seeping out. It’s a sign that you need to work on your success mindset, boost your confidence and focus on positive affirmations. It’s NOT a sign that you will fail. Here’s my own story of taking action despite my fear.
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The Plan
Most nights it’s primarily the last fear that’s feeding my predisposition to insomnia and pushing me to just check out via Netflix.
I keep asking myself (and anyone who will listen really) if I’m crazy, nuts or mad. Can I really do this?
So, I’ll let you know (because we’re friends now) that my next big move is to create a series of online resources and courses on everything along the road from being unhappy and feeling unsuccessful in your 9-5 life to crushing it in your dream life.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: Should I follow my dreams or be realistic?
From conquering all the fears I’ve listed above (and an even longer list of other barriers like anxiety, excuses, expectations and our upbringing) and more crucial steps like getting to know yourself (beyond your zodiac sign and your MS Office skills), unlocking your passion (not just for cheese and murder mystery podcasts), developing the mindset of a champion, and finding your authentic voice and confidence to then make changes in your life.
Whew, say that with one breath!
And after reading back to myself, it’s a seriously tall order and probably way too much to attempt even in one year or even a few years, so the immediate plan is to start small and focus on how to slay your goals.
The Accountant
I think what’s got me really drifting in thought of late is that I FINALLY, after weeks of procrastinating, sat down and calculated my cost of doing business, my cost of living and rough (super rough) and very conservative (because like I said I still don’t believe it fully) projections of income for 2017.
The number actually shocked me and made me wonder if I really am crazy.
Could it really be that simple? And by simple I mean bust my butt every day, live super modestly, be practically married to my laptop, drink way too much coffee, have the time of my life to create something that may or may not work out. BUT, if it does, it REALLY does.
You hear these stories of other entrepreneurs and infopreneurs (sellers of information) who make an insane amount almost overnight from a simple product.
But can I be one of them?
Maybe no one will care? Or perhaps no one will ever have need of this?
Maybe it’s all for not? But maybe, just maybe it isn’t?
👉🏽 RELATED POST: Forget Overcoming Fear
The Imposter
I’m constantly asking myself, who am I to think that I can do this?
Depending on how confident I’m feeling at the time the answer varies from “obviously delusional” Nadalie to “kick-ass boss” Nadalie.
Delusional Nadalie is way out of her comfort zone and feels like she’s trying to be in a league that she doesn’t qualify or measure up for. On the flip side, Boss Nadalie is confident in her experiences and believes her story and truth is all she needs to be successful.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Overcome Self-Doubt
“Am I really enough? Do I know enough? Who will want to hear from me? What do I have to offer, seriously? How can I compete with the coaches and experts that are already dominating this industry?”
That last one is huge. Imposter syndrome is so real.
I wonder what I have to offer, and if anyone would even listen.
Stop Listening to the Voice in Your Head
But I remind myself that yes, I’m not a coach, not in the official sense of the word (I’m not certified, I’m done with school for the next good long while). What I am is “expert” at my life, my story and my journey from hating the 9-5 to loving self-employment.
I’m just a girl with curly hair (most of the time and that wasn’t always me) who is usually writing to you in her comfy clothes, who has a patchwork of experiences (student, employee, side hustler, 9-5er, shift worker, freelancer, entrepreneur…) that have allowed me to glean a few key lessons from this life.
And ha, what is this “industry” anyway? I seriously can’t even label it, and I don’t want to. Why are we always trying to label everything? To me, it’s just the business of being honest and open about where I’ve been and am going (I very loosely use the word business).
👉🏽 RELATED POST: Why You'll Never Achieve Your Goals
I whisper to myself to “just be honest,” the words might as well be tattooed on my hands. On that note, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t feel like I belong in this space so I create my own. I stop and look around at everyone who has been here before me, who may be more qualified, but I step up to the mic to speak anyways.
Yes, I may suffer from imposter syndrome, but I’m definitely an invader and an outsider, I’ll own those titles.
I don’t want to do things like they’ve been done, and I won’t always talk about something like another or write about a topic as everyone else does.
The Attempt
But, then I remind myself, so what?! If you’re reading this, then come along on this journey with me, my plan will definitely change or fail (it’s life, when does anything go according to plan), my accounting will likely be off (I’m an Arts Major, I don’t do numbers), and I may find my place in this world or run screaming (hiding in my hair where it’s safe).
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Fight for your Dreams
Either way, you’ll have a front-row seat in the “splash zone” of my successes and definitely some of my failures, as they happen. Whatever happens, it won’t be the end, it’ll just be another part of the story. Mad or not mad, if this isn’t it, I’ll just pivot and try something else.
I may burn through my savings like wildfire and not be able to replenish it. Or, I may burn out before even I get started. I may struggle to find my footing. It may be harder than anyone said, I may get bad advice, it may take longer than I thought to figure it all out. Either way, I’ll be here trying until I get it right. And you’ll be hearing all about it in real time.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned your next amazing idea could just be a breath away. Or if you’re like me, a random thought you have before you drift to sleep away.
The Truth
The truth is, no one knows the future and we can’t control it.
All we can do is work with what’s within our power, at this very moment. We can choose to continue living within our designated status quo or we can get up every single day and do something to change it. We can choose to never give up and to do every task within our power to reach our goal and live out our dream daily.
So even though I’m scared and worried that I might be actually delusional, I tell myself, “So what, who cares (not you)!”
I freak out, send an SOS text to a friend, I watch some TV (bait and switch my fears with zombies), I go and eat some cheese (who doesn’t love cheese), drink some tea and get right back at it. If I’m really overwhelmed, I’ll just call “CUT” and go to bed, so I can wake up tomorrow and conquer the little task on my to-do list.
The Actor
*Clears throat* “To be afraid or not to be afraid…”
Just kidding, not that kind of actor. The kind of actor that takes action despite her fears.
👉🏽 RELATED POST: How to Use Affirmations for Success and Wealth
It’s not about being fake and pretending until you’ve made it, it’s about being real about how you feel, but doing it anyway (it being that stuff you know you should do to get moving on your dreams but somehow manage to keep avoiding).
Be honest about your fears, don’t ignore them, name them, write about them, tell someone about them, but don’t let them stop you from taking action.
Sometimes it’s really hard to not be immobilized by fear and I believe the only cure is to do it anyways. Ask someone for help, do it with someone, find a community of support – whatever it takes to get going.
We all act a certain way because we have a certain view of reality or hold particular beliefs (you brush your teeth because if you don’t you’ll get cavities, a truth). If you don’t do something, it’s because you lack the belief.
Sometimes we have to trick ourselves and believing comes from acting, just act on it anyways, the belief will catch up with you or at the very least you’ll develop a good habit.
Take Action, Slay Your Goals!
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No one ever said you couldn’t be afraid AND achieve your goals!
What can you do today even if you’re afraid?
Keep it simple, and try some of my suggested no-time tasks. You won’t regret it, and you might even like it and keep committing to doing one every day.
Last Updated on July 11, 2021
