Our business hit a curve in the road this week. Not a bad curve. Just an unexpected one. And it shot up our fears about a few things.
When Chris and I began to talk about it, I realized something critical.
Fear is a liar!
Fear whispers things in our ears that just aren’t true.
Fear was busy chatting away to us, and when we shared that stupid conversation with each other, we realized what a bunch of bull crap it was.
Fear squirms its way into your subconscious and ours, and says despicable, untrue things like we aren’t good enough, or we can’t possibly succeed or we’re not good at calling prospects or “they” wouldn’t want to work with me or I don’t know how to get customers or I don’t deserve success or…fill in whatever it lies to you.
This fear didn’t just show up out of nowhere. At some time in your life perhaps you didn’t succeed (10th grade geometry?). So your brain has now been programmed to believe that you aren’t good with any numbers. Or maybe one customer did say “don’t call me ever again” and hung up in a huff. Now your brain lies to you that every prospect will do that.
Fear is a liar, and it’s time you called it on its lie.
- Start with baby steps. You don’t have to call every person whose business card sits on your desk. Call a few today…and then call a few more in two days. Keep going.
- Remember the good moment. Instead of latching on to that nasty prospect who blew you off, remember that fabulous conversation with the person who was really happy you called back. Write down a few of your best, best moments. This isn’t fluffy thinking. It’s training that brain of yours to see things as they really are.
- Reprogram that fear statement of yours. I know you know it’s irrational. I know you know the fear isn’t true. So what’s the true truth?
- Get a business mentor. Sometimes the best way to conquer the lie that fear has created is to get a master mentor who will work with you on your business fears, your marketing dread, your sales panic.
Today, I’m doing something fear has been lying to me about. I’m doing a 35 mile bike race (that’s not the part I’m afraid of). We’re riding over all sorts of terrain (not that either). With all kinds of riders much more experienced than me (nope, not this). There will be hundreds of us riding much of the way, particularly in the beginning, in tight packs (THAT’S THE ONE!).
So here’s my plan.
Shut up, fear! I can’t hear you.
Hey, it’s a baby step!
Go forth and go great things,
Martha and Chris