October 29, 2015
This Halloween, What Real Fears Are Holding You Back From Career Success?
Halloween is a time for (in classic ‘tongue and cheek’ fashion) celebrating one principle facet of human nature: fear.
For one night of the year we dress ourselves as ghosts, goblins, and witches, and the precarious places and things most of us tend to avoid in our everyday lives–graveyards, visual representations of death, blood, etc.,–seem a lot less frightening.
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But this Halloween, as you gather your children or loved ones for a night of trick or treating, or resign to your oh-so-comfortable sofa to binge watch Netflix horror movies, consider what actual fears you have in your life and whether or not they are holding you back from reaching your full potential. In other words, what metaphorical ‘ghosts and ‘goblins’ frighten you, and what steps can you take to meet them head on?
Whether you are considering starting your own business, transitioning into a new career, or embarking on a new journey; fear will always be a very present factor. However, identifying your fears and developing a plan of action for facing them, can aid you in living a professionally and personally fulfilling life.
Here are three quotes and lessons to aid you in facing your professional fears–this Halloween and beyond:
“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” –Rosa Parks
The Lesson: “Making up your mind” or deciding that, for once and for all, you are going to go after the career and life you’ve always wanted is the first step in the right direction. The act alone may reduce your reservations and catapult you into action. Identify the steps you need to take to get to where you want to be and follow through.
“Whatever you fear most has no power–it is your fear that has the power. The thing itself cannot touch you. But if you allow your fear to seep into your mind and overtake your thoughts, it will rob you of your life.” –Oprah Winfrey
The Lesson: Like most emotions, fear doesn’t last forever; only actions do. Whatever hesitation you have about heading into your ideal life–whether it be entrepreneurship, going back to school, or starting a new career–it will pass, but your failure to act will remain.
“That’s one of the frailties of the human condition–people fear that which is not familiar.” –Spike Lee
The Lesson: Leave your comfort zone. We often choose to stay within our comfort zones because we perceive it as safe, but the truth is that it only protects us from success. Embracing the unfamiliar can be the first step for reaching the full height of our potential.
So this Halloween, examine your fears, develop a strategy for overcoming them, and use BlackEnterprise.com as a tool for inspiration, success, and personal triumph.