by Amy Applebaum

Welcome to this week’s edition of Release Your Inner Millionairess with Amy Applebaum

I’ve been a life and success coach for the last 10 years of my life and one thing that I notice is true, for me and everyone I have helped…is that fear is often present. And in some cases, “always” present. If you are growing, you will find fear lurking. Anytime we step outside of our comfort zone, fear is right there, hanging out with us the way a dog hangs out with it’s owner.

Fear is just chilling out saying things like, “hey do you notice I’m here?” “Hmm…maybe I’ll give you some anxiety so you notice me.” “Maybe I’ll throw some doubtful thoughts your way…then, maybe you’ll notice me.” Fear is like an annoying person just bugging you, gnawing at you, and trying to sabotage you.

So, here’s the deal. Fear isn’t going anywhere if you’re growing. It’s along for the ride to success. It’s part of success. It’s part of growing. It’s part of life. So…what do you do about it? Well, since you are working hard to be successful, here’s what I want you to do this month to deal with fear.

1. Acknowledge it: Notice that it’s there because it is and denying it doesn’t help.

2. Give it a name: Think about fear like it’s a person. Give it a name.

3. Become friends with it: Remember the movie, “A Beautiful Mind?” Remember how he became one with the voices? Once you accept that fear is there and is along for the ride, you won’t be so freaked out by it. You’ll just recognize it as part of success. So, decide that you love fear in that same way you love that annoying family member. They drive you crazy but you love them nonetheless. Same thing.

4. Talk to it: When fear comes to play…have a conversation. Ask fear what it wants? Ask fear how it can play a role in whatever you are fearful of. Keep discussing until you are clear on what the fear is and why it’s there.

5. Then…Make a choice: Ok…now that you have figured out why fear is there, make a choice about what you are going to do about it. Does it make logical sense NOT to proceed and stay on course? Will you continue to stay on course and let fear hang out with you while you move forward? In most cases, the latter will be the most beneficial choice. In some cases, you will need to discuss with a coach or mentor about what fear is saying to you before you make a choice. That’s ok.

Bottom line, if you learn to live with fear and move forward despite it’s presence, nothing can stop you!

To Your Success,

Amy