The Fear

“Are you wondering why you are struggling to make that leap? What is holding you back from achieving your goals?”

The start of the year always feels like a fresh start – a time for new beginnings. But as the months pass and time starts to slip away, we may find ourselves looking back at the end of the year, wondering what happened to those great intentions...

I’m not talking about how you survived dry January or how you harbor the intention to get back on that exercise bike. I’m referring to the need for a shift that stirs something deep within you. The niggling feeling that there’s something more you should be doing, something bigger that you know would make a difference. Yet, for some reason, we often struggle to take that next step.

I’ve been there, too. In fact, I’m writing this blog to coincide with the launch of my new website. It’s funny – I’ve known for years that I wanted to be an executive coach. The passion was there long before I decided to formally train. But even after I got my qualifications, it still took me a couple more years to officially launch myself as a coach.

And even once I had my website ready, I hesitated. For a whole month it sat there, waiting. And I kept asking myself, What’s taking me so long?

The answer is simple: The Fear.

The Fear – What’s It Really About?

The fear of what? The fear of making mistakes? Of being judged? Of not getting it right? Of committing myself to something that may be greater than the time I do not have?

Fear can be painted in many ways. If you dig deep enough, you’ll usually come to one of two basic fears. The first is the fear of death – a natural, primal fear that keeps us safe from dangerous situations, like running into traffic. While this is important, it's rarely the one holding us back in our careers.  The second is the ‘Fear of Failure’.

So many of us share the fear of failure and, for professionals in transition, it's almost inevitable. Whether stepping into a new leadership role, launching a business, or balancing work and family, each new challenge forces us out of our comfort zone – this can feel daunting. When venturing into unchartered territory it is natural to worry about the outcome – you’re making bold moves that could change your career and your life after all.

Now, let’s go a step further. Underneath the fear of failure, many of us wrestle with a deeper fear – the fear of not being worthy. It’s the quiet voice that says, “You don’t deserve success” or “You’re not good enough for the next level”. It’s a common human experience, but it doesn’t have to control you.

Turning Fear Into Opportunity

So, now that we know fear is often the heart of our inaction, what can we do about it?

One day, in the midst of my own inaction, I was reminded that sometimes the simplest truths come from the smallest voices. I was talking to my three year old boy about how nervous he was about his appointment with the allergy specialist earlier in the day.

“Were you feeling very nervous?” I asked.

“Yes,” came the reply, “but I did it anyway – and I got a sticker!”

In his short reply, my son taught me something powerful: that fear doesn’t have to stop us - instead we have to act in spite of it.

Susan Jeffers’ wonderful book, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway”, talks to the crux of this. I highly recommend you pick up this book - it’s full of valuable insights and practical strategies that help you shift your mindset and take action.

A useful model that Susan depicts is the “No-Lose Model” where every choice (e.g. to do it or to leave it) offers a valuable learning experience and should therefore be taken an opportunity despite its outcome. Either way, you will grow and learn as a person. Yes it is critical that you do your homework as that is part of the learning – I’m not advocating that you wing it and hope for the best. But, failure itself is not the disaster we think it is. Whether you fail or succeed the experiences will give you an opportunity for real transformation and growth, potentially opening up exciting possibilities that get you closer to your goal. You’ve learned something, and that knowledge will propel you forward.

The key takeaway is that you move forward. You keep taking steps in a positive direction, regardless of the outcome. Even if that first step is small, remember that every step counts. Small progress is still progress. It’s not about perfection—it’s about forward motion. I love Susan’s quote that sums this all up:

“You’re not a failure if you don’t make it; You’re a success because you try”.

Keep Moving Forward

It’s easy to get paralyzed by the fear of what could go wrong. But imagine what could go right. Whether you’re stepping into a senior leadership role, scaling your business as an entrepreneur or navigating the transition back to work as a parent, the act of moving forward is powerful. Each small step, no matter how imperfect, creates momentum.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about the next move, however big or small, I encourage you to:

·       Trust yourself: That deeper instinct inside of you is often right – yet our critical voice often takes the spotlight, making it difficult to see the clearer picture. Start by listening to your intuition, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Pay attention to moments when you feel inspired or excited—that’s often your inner wisdom guiding you.

·       Do your homework: Understand your options, and how they reflect your values and priorities. Arm yourself with enough information to back-up that gut feeling, but don’t let research paralyze you. It’s about gaining clarity, not perfection.

·       Take that first step: Do it anyway. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The worst thing that happens is you gain some wisdom and resilience. The best thing that happens is that you move closer to the life and career you desire.

Still unsure? Let’s work through it together. Book a free consultation with me today, and we’ll create a strategy to move you forward – one step at a time.