Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. – George Addair

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve heard clients say:

• “How much should I worry about [ fill in the blank ]?”
• “Even the idea of this conversation terrifies me!”
• “Looking at my financials makes me anxious, so I avoid them!”

When I hear statements like these, I know that fear has joined the conversation.

There’s nothing wrong with feeling fear. Humans evolved a very well-tuned system to respond to fear. It’s a part of what has guaranteed our survival as a species!

This is not a life-or-death situation.

The problem is when our bodies and brains fire up that fear reaction; they’re trying to save us from a saber-toothed tiger or some other mortal danger. But looking at our financials shouldn’t trigger a fight-or-flight response!

When our body feels fear, it limits the blood to our pre-frontal cortex, the part of the brain we use to reason and strategize. It’s trying to tell us, “Don’t think, run!”

A perfect response when your life is on the line, but not particularly helpful in a business context!

This week, can you notice when you feel fearful or anxious? What is the peril? What is that fear keeping you from?