#267 Don't let fear stop you!

Wisdom is a bi-product of a risk taken, a mistake made, a calculation a little off....that ends in disaster. 

Once bitten, twice shy. 

There's a reason why you may be sitting there right now feeling the pull to take a large leap in your business but there's something on the inside that is holding you back. 

The "what ifs" are kicking in.

"What if it happens again?"

"What if it doesn't work out?"

"What if I bite off more than I can chew? Will I survive the setback?"

Those setbacks have taken a toll. I know exactly what you're talking about. It's easy to stay where you are but will you be satisfied with things being good enough? 

You see, I've been where you are right now. It's a painful place to be. You know you're capable of more. You've also tried and failed and you can feel the burn. 

Have you done a serious "after action review" of that last failed attempt? Have you mined for the wisdom? Of course there is wisdom. There's always wisdom to be earned when it all falls apart.

That year of law school cost me more than the 20K I racked up in debt. Someone had to pay that bill and that somebody was unemployed me. I had to get out of my house and even then, with a bad market in 2009, I couldn't get what I wanted and walked away without the equity I expected. This resulted in tough decisions that eventually led to bankruptcy a year later. 

This isn't a little setback. 

I would not be able to share this if I hadn't gone back and owned my own errors and miscalculations. I chipped out every piece of wisdom there was to be had. Have you done the same with your missteps? 

You're not taking this next risk from inexperience, you're doing this from wisdom. 

Make wise decisions; mitigate the risk and get 'er done. I'm not suggesting that you be reckless. That's not sensible. I'm suggesting that you think about this long and hard. The fear that you're feeling can be preventing you from enjoying a fulfilling life. 

I've mitigated my risk. My friend assures me that if need be, I can use his couch.  That's all I need to know - I've mitigated the risk.