Do you remember paper fortune tellers from when you were younger?
My friends and I used to make them – ALL the time! They were SO much fun!!
If only making decisions in REAL life and business could be this easy right – just whip one of these babies up and you’d be good to go 
Unfortunately, there’s only one way to feel confident about what the future holds for us… and that is to act on decisions now – today – that support a future we want to experience.
But, how do you make BIG decisions when fear has you shaking in your booties?
The first step is to recognize that fear isn’t always a stop sign.
There is a difference between fear that stems from true danger and fear that stems from stepping beyond your comfort zone.
Here’s my best advice if fear is keeping you from making and acting on a big decision:
- Remember, fear isn’t always a stop sign.
- Seek the truth. (YOUR truth).
- Breathe.
- Get clear about the fear. Feel it then face it.
- Be honest and compassionate with yourself. Radical self-honesty is required.
- Don’t beat yourself up for feeling scared.
- Listen for your authentic voice amidst the mind chatter. It is there. You already know the answers.
- Decide and take action.
- Seek Inspiration. (Need a little extra motivation? Watch the Dare Change Video)
“I have accepted fear as a part of life – specifically the fear of change…. I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back.” ~Erica Jong
Does the fear you are experiencing stem from true danger? If not, what is your reality?
Next ask yourself – what are you more committed to… the success you say you want OR the “comfort” of the status quo?
Get to the truth of it so you can make decisions quickly and confidently. Then, DO!
Now before you go – are there any other methods you use or advice you can share about getting past fear of change? Post ‘em in the comments ok! Thanks! xo
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P.S. For those of you wishing to revisit a piece of your childhood, here’s how to make a paper fortune teller Have fun!
You brought back memories with the paper fortune teller.
Anytime I do something new or challenging it scares the $&^* out of me. The next time is easier. I listen to my intuition even though I am scared I ask myself is it an excited scared from there I make a decision to procede?
Great post Gina
.-= Tricia Dycka´s last blog ..The Moment Of Truth =-.
Love this post, Gina!
Great advice about not letting fear interfere with your goals. Also love that you instructions for our paper fortune tellers!!! So cute. Thanks
First, I LOVE that you brought up the paper fortune teller. I completely forgot about that handy tool.
And yes, if life were only so easy that we could consult such a tool. But in some ways we can, when we activate our intuition and inner knowing we can find the guidance to move forward. Facing fear is inevitable, the only way way fear won’t show up, is if you’ve chosen to stop growing and changing. I find the more I turn within, and seek the truth (my truth), the easier I can overcome those fears. I also find that when I stop comparing my own journey to others, I am a lot more forgiving of the pace of my progress.
Andrea Costantine´s last [type] ..Making a Habit Out of Setting Boundaries
Andrea I SO agree! And I want to highlight something you said “the only way way fear won’t show up, is if you’ve chosen to stop growing and changing”. It’s so important to listen for your authentic voice – tune into your intuition – amidst the mind chatter. That inner knowing IS there. Thanks so much for taking time to share how you manage your fears! xo
Gina,
What a great article and one that is very close to my heart – trusting yourSELF.
Your article really does sum up what it feels like to yearn for change but resist it at the same time.
I also love what Andrea said too – we need to accept that if we’re going to continue to grow, fear is always going to be there. It’s making the determination what to do with the fear that is the KEY.
GREAT article – thank you for sharing!
Hi Brenda, I definitely share your affinity for self-trust. I believe it’s a gift we give ourselves. And when it comes to fear, self trust is essential to facing it. Thanks so much for your reply! xo
Gina – Making a decision and taking action is critical! But for so many actually making the decision and committing to something can be so scary it’s paralyzing. The key for me has been to really focus on what I want to achieve, squashing my fears, and going for it!
Jennifer Bourn, Bourn Creative
Jennifer Bourn´s last [type] ..4 Critical Keys to a Wildly Successful Website
Hi Jennifer, great advice! I agree – focusing on the good stuff beyond the fear is what pulls us through it. This is why it’s so important for entrepreneurs to get clear about what they really want and why. Without that light in the dark many give up the moment that fear creeps in (and it always will “if” you’re striving for something that really matters). ~ Gina xo
Fear is what steps in the way of an entrepreneur. What makes a successful entrepreneur is one who steps around it and keeps moving. Thanks for the reminder Gina!
Hi Cathy! Yes, exactly… the fear doesn’t magically disappear. And so, we find a way around it (over, under – whatever it takes).
My favorite parts of this post are:
* Don’t beat yourself up for feeling scared.
* Decide and take action.
It’s so easy to think, “What’s wrong with me?” and think that everyone else has got their stuff together. That is SO not the case! Each and every once of us face fear…on a very regular basis. The key is to take action anyway, and see the decision through. It’s ok to be scared, but it’s NOT ok to use fear as an excuse.
Thanks so much for this post Gina!
Sydni Craig-Hart´s last [type] ..How to Change Your Bad Marketing Habits for Good
Hi Sydni, oh you nailed it… “It’s so easy to think ‘What’s wrong with me?’” – especially when you’re watching and wondering how/why everyone else is doing what they do. Fear is a constant companion and as funny as it sounds – we can make peace with it – and even (call me crazy) harness it as an advantage. Thanks so much for sharing!! xo
Love it, love it, love it!! Great information Gina. I actually made the decision back in July of 2009 to sell my CPA practice. However fear made me hold on until June of 2011. Don’t get me wrong, there were many other factors too. But, I would wake up in the middle of the night, sitting bolt upright in bed with my heart pounding and I just panicked. Well, with a CPA practice you have to plan months in advance to do something, so it would be another year before I would revisit my decision. Then, it would take another year to put everything into play.
I remember when the wheels actually started turning and I started to transition things over to the woman I was selling my practice to. I would get heart palpitations. There were many times during the months prior to the sale I would think that I had bumped my head and gone completely crazy. But, as you mentioned above, my heart knew the truth and I knew I was on the right path. If you can sit silent with yourself, your heart will lead the way. It’s just quieting the head that is the hard part.
Kristi
Kristi LeGue´s last [type] ..Gateway to the Soul
Gina,
When you said, “what are you more committed to… the success you say you want OR the “comfort” of the status quo?” it was hitting the nail on the head for me with business fears. What I often do is have a good heart to heart talk with myself, my husband, and maybe a business colleague who knows me well.
Each time I conquer a fear and go for it, it makes the next one easier to recognize and walk right on past! Thanks!
Amy Kinnaird´s last [type] ..Clean and Grow Rich