Happy New Year to you!  I hope your holidays were most enjoyable, and you are looking forward to the opportunities this new year brings.

 

As you start the new year, I invite you to join me in tackling one fear or one challenge.  What I am talking about is this:  each of us procrastinates doing something that we perceive to be difficult, takes time, or just seems beyond our capabilities.  Perhaps we hesitate from trying to address one of these fears or challenges because we fear failure.  "Oh my gosh, what will people think, what will they say about me?"  Those are very real emotions that inhibit our taking a gamble on success.

 

I understand those feelings quite well because, just like you, I have them when I try something new.  However, I also relish inspiration by others to reach higher and encourage me to "go for it".  Visualize how great it feels to  expand your knowledge and skills sets or learn a new craft or hobby.  Accomplishing a goal results in the reward of personal satisfaction....the bigger the goal, the greater the reward!

 

As you read this, you may be asking or wondering what fear is Laura Morales tackling this year?  In a word, it is technology.  One of my biggest challenges since leaving the corporate world has been learning how to use some of the available technology to grow my business.  Technology can provide a competitive advantage; however, I am also fearful about messing up, clicking where I shouldn't have and not being able to undo my mistake.  Ugh....

 

So, I am tackling learning how to use a new internet email provider, Constant Contact.  For my technology savvy subscribers, this may sound so easy, but for "Laura, the technophobe", it is most challenging.  Nonetheless, I am determined to learn all I can about this service so I will not be afraid to experiment with it.  It also helps of course that I am not alone in trying to tackle this all by myself.  Constant Contact has a LIVE helpdesk that I can contact via the phone, via email and/or via an online chat which is very helpful (as long as I contact them during their working hours of course :)).

 

This leads to the other point of my message - that it is certainly acceptable to ask for help, perhaps even necessary, when you want to move forward in your job, career and life.  When you have other people to help and support you in your quest to grow, you will be less likely to give up.  This is evident in all aspects of life.  Think of a parent who attends all of his children's extracurricular activities (sports, music, etc...) and encourages them to excel.  Similarly, a leader who supports his team when they make mistakes but encourages them to continue exploring new methods of doing things enhances team members' growth and learning.  So please join me and commit to tackling something new this year and solicit others to help you reach your goal.

 

Best wishes on stepping out of your comfort zone and tackling one fear or one challenge.  You are not alone!

 

Until next time,

Laura