We all strive for success in our businesses and in our lives. However, there are times when fear gets in our way. It is a part of our "inner game" in contrast with our "outer game".
There are times when we are faced with something we have never done. Our inner voices, those messages we say to ourselves when we don't meet expectations, begin to surface. Why try? I can't do it. These words and the beliefs behind them leave us vulnerable to crippling doubt, anxiety, indecision, and lack of action. In short, they leave us vulnerable to fear..
Your inner game needs to be just as strong as your outer game to reach the next level of success in your business. When you hold yourself back it is time to look at your inner voices and beliefs, your mindset. Identify the limiting thoughts which are getting in the way.
As I have said on many occasions mindset is the key element for success in business and life. Use it to your advantage. Get really honest with yourself about whether avoidance, sabotage or perfectionism are happening. Figure out the underlying belief, the root cause, to break free from your self-imposed obstacle to success. See my other post on the S.U.E. strategy, i.e. making your formerly limiting belief more specific, unstable, and external.
Usually one of four main fears stop many entrepreneurs from saying yes to growing their business. The inner critic, those limiting beliefs, and your fears contribute to performance anxiety, perfectionism and time management problems. They include fear of failure, fear of making mistakes, fear of disapproval and fear of success.
F.E.A.R. is an acronym. It means False Evidence Appearing Real. It is not what needs to be done to grow your business. The fear comes from how you look at it. Others had already done what you are facing. Now it is your turn.
Fear, worry and doubt will take you out of the business game if you allow it to do so. You will know if you are ready to take action and do things differently. Credit to Loren Fogelman for her listing of these five steps to quiet the inner voices and defeat your fear.
1. Figure out what is the underlying reason you are holding yourself back. You need to figure out what is happening. It may be old experiences, memories or messages we heard repeatedly which cause us to stay where are instead of taking a risk.
2. See if you can come up with alternative ways of looking at things. List as many different points of view as you can think of. Choose the one you like best. Try it on and see how it feels.
3. Focus on the reason why you want to reach your goal. Connect with your purpose.
4. Visualization. It is a powerful tool. Imagine yourself taking action. As you are doing this your brain is making changes preparing you for taking action.
5. Finally, focus on the small steps right in front of you. The small actions you take today will take you to your goal.
As you take action, you overcome the doubts and fears holding you back. Identify, challenge, and replace the limiting beliefs you have and interrupt the little voices in your head holding you back. For further information, go to the website www.successandmindset.com for additional information. Remember, change your thoughts, change your results..