mastering fear

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear"

Mark Twain

Someone asked me what was most important to know and master when starting your own business.  The answer is simple:  resist fear.  The reality of that is extremely difficult.

As the monkey's are chattering in your mind, you think of every possible failure.  Oh yes, you do.  The monkey's chatter all of the time.  And, the "what if you are wrong" scenarios create rapidly in front of your eyes.  Failure is essential as a path to success.  We learn from making mistakes but most of those mistakes are not disastrous.  Many mistakes make are gifts that help ready us for the next step on the path.  Most people graciously forgive a mistake or two - they also make them.  

Fear is such an imposter.  We think it has power.  It only has power if you allow the feeling to stay with you and stop you.  I learned that we must press on past doubt and fear.  And, just the determination to do so brightens the day, opens doors and creates new paths.  Fear blinds and courage lights the way.  

Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed.  I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."  As you turn on your lights, remember that Thomas Edison never gave into fear, Thomas Edison found light even after trying 10,000 times!

Light up your life with courage!