Fear: The Four-Letter Word

Alright, let's talk about that SOfa king annoying word, FEAR. Not the monster-under-your-bed kind, but the sneaky, everyday FEAR that holds us back from doing the things we know could change our lives. The kind of FEAR that keeps you from hitting "publish" on that blog post or starting that project you've had in the back of your mind for months. Yeah, that FEAR

And to be honest, I'm right there with you. I had serious FEAR about putting out this article. I've written so much content, but a lot of it just sits there, collecting dust, because I've been too scared to post any of it. This one included. I'm not just launching it on one platform, but five - Substack, Beehive, Medium, Vocal, and Blogger. That's a lot of eyes. A lot of opinions. And yeah, I'm terrified. Heck, I'm even afraid of the pictures I'm using for this post. But here we are.

Fear Isn’t the Villain

You've heard it before: FEAR is the enemy. But is it? I've come to realize that FEAR isn't here to destroy you - it's just trying to protect you. FEAR pops up because it cares. It's like that overly cautious friend who always tells you not to take risks. It means well, but it's keeping you stuck. Stuck in the safety of not doing. And as much as it sucks, I get it. FEAR has kept me from finishing things too. I'll start projects with all this fire, then stop because I think everything needs to be perfect. That's the crazy part - thinking things have to be a perfect 10/10 before they're worth sharing.

But what if FEAR is just another way of telling us we're onto something big? What if that anxiety means you're about to do something that actually matters?

The Fear-Excitement Line

Let's be real: FEAR and excitement are often two sides of the same coin. Think about the last time you were pumped about something new - didn't it come with a bit of FEAR? That's because FEAR shows up when you're stepping outside your comfort zone, and that's where growth happens. It's like that nervous energy before a first date or starting a new job.

So instead of running from it, what if we used FEAR as a compass? Instead of seeing it as something that stops us, what if it's nudging us in the right direction?

The Trap of Perfection

This is where FEAR gets me every time. The idea that everything has to be flawless before I share it with the world. But here's the truth: nothing's ever perfect. And waiting for that magical moment where everything lines up perfectly is just another way FEAR keeps us from moving forward.

I've been sitting on content - 30 blog posts, to be exact - just because I was scared they wouldn't be "good enough." That they wouldn't hit that perfect score I had in my head. But what does "good enough" even mean? And who gets to decide that? FEAR, if we're being honest. And I've decided I'm tired of letting FEAR be the one calling the shots.

Fear as a Friend

Here's the thing: I'm learning to make friends with Fear. Instead of letting it stop me, I'm trying to listen to it differently. I'm asking, "What's this Fear trying to show me?" Because let's face it, Fear usually shows up when something matters - when it has the potential to change your life, big or small.

For me, posting this blog is scary because it's vulnerable. It's putting myself out there in ways I haven't before. But if I didn't care about growing, about changing my life, Fear wouldn't even bother showing up. That's the twist - it's not the enemy, it's the signal.

Doing It Anyway

So, what now? We're all afraid of something. We all hesitate because of fear. But the difference between those who stay stuck and those who move forward is simple: they do it anyway.

I'm not here to tell you fear magically goes away. It doesn't. But the more you take action in the face of fear, the quieter it becomes. fear does not disappear, at anytime, but it becomes background noise instead of a full-blown alarm.

Here I am, posting this blog despite the fear, despite my "perfectionist" tendencies. I'm doing it afraid. And maybe that's all we can do - take the step, even when we're unsure, even when it's scary.

What Is Fear Telling You?

So, here's my question to you: what's the thing you're not doing because of fear? And what if that's the exact thing you should be doing to move your life forward?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. What fears are holding you back, and what would happen if you decided to face them head-on? Let's talk.

"I am not now what I was yesterday and I am not now what I shall be tomorrow. So you do yourself an injustice to judge me by yesterday when I have moved on"

James Campbell aka Freddy Foxxx

"the best things in life are on the other side of fear"

Willard Smith Jr. aka Will Smith LOL!

Remember: knowledge is power, but action is what makes all the difference. Stay curious, stay driven, and keep pushing forward!