Proceed While Being Afraid
Everyone has something that’s holding them back, and if examined closely, fear is at its root. Tomorrow, I am speaking to Konmari Consultants-in-Training on the topic “Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone.” I decided to include part of my presentation here because it can apply to all areas of your life.
Enjoy!
3 tips on getting out of your comfort zone to a joy-sparking career:
Proceed while being afraid. Taken from Vernon Howard’s booklet, “Practical Exercises For Inner Harmony.” Vernon writes: “The next sentence you read is astonishingly powerful: Instead of trying to be unafraid, march on with the inner task while being afraid. This is the exact opposite of usual behavior, which is why it produces opposite results. Trying to be unafraid merely produces more fear, so end this wrong way. Here is what to do. Find small timid areas within yourself and just go ahead and do what your timidity does not want you to do. Act while being afraid to act. This calls the bluff on fear. Maybe you are shy about speaking up when with certain people. Just go ahead and say something while noticing your own deliberate defiance of the fear. See you did it.”
2. Be honest. Get really clear on your values and what you want and what sparks joy for you. Live a life of integrity true to your values. In the book, “Book Yourself Solid,” author Michael Port talks about “red carpet clients,” meaning you know the exact type of clients that will energize you and are in your niche to serve. Tune into what you want, as if you were holding a piece of clothing in the Konmari method. Figure out what you want and speak from your heart when you speak to others.
3. Don’t take yourself so seriously. When I find myself wanting to control things or get too attached to the outcome that is when I get anxious. When I focus on joy, I am able to enjoy the journey. It’s not really about “when I get there,” it’s the here and now. It’s when you are practicing with a client, setting up the website, even as I type this blog or you read it. You have to enjoy the moment because that’s what we have.
I will close with a story that happened on our most recent vacation. My 5 year old daughter and I were swimming in the ocean. She was scared to swim to me. Instead of telling her “There’s nothing to worry about, be brave.” I told her to say, “I’m scared and I will swim anyway.” And she did!
So jump into the ocean. Let the waves hit you. You never know what exhilaration and freedom the water will hold for you. Dive into the deep. Call the bluff on fear. Proceed while being afraid. And swim anyway.
