How to CRUSH the fear that’s holding you back!

How do you deal with the tough decisions in your business?

Many business owners try to avoid them.

Here’s the challenge with that approach: It will place a very low ceiling on your potential.

When I was starting out in marketing in 1987, my manager gave me some great advice.  She told me that the hardest decisions are often the ones that lead to the best results and that most people struggled throughout their lives, because they allowed fear to stop them making these tough decisions.  I can confirm that without exception, every major progressive leap I have made in my business, was preceded by a tough decision.

Fear as your business compass

Time and again, I have heard leaders say that they use fear as a compass.  They know that if they believe a decision is correct, yet the thought of actioning that decision is frightening, there’s an extremely good chance that the decision will lead to major progress.

Here’s what I have found:

• The easy decisions are made by the masses.  They don’t require us to stretch or leave our comfort zones.  They also lead to little real growth.
• The tough decisions are made by the few.  They require us to leave our comfort zones.  They precede all meaningful growth.

I recall a quote from Zig Zigglar, where he said: “If you will be hard on yourself, life will be easy on you. But if you insist upon being easy on yourself, life is going to be very hard on you.”

How I overcome fear

If fear has been holding you back from taking action, you may find this useful.  It’s how I deal with the tough but necessary decisions in my own business (and life.)

When I know deep down I need to do something, I consider the likely results of allowing the fear to win.  Then, I consider the likely results of crushing the fear and doing what I believe needs to be done.  By looking at the consequences, it’s easier to make the right decision, even if it’s not the easiest one.

What are your tips for overcoming fear?