While driving to an early morning appointment I was listening to one of my favorite books on CD, Think and Grow Rich. I've listened to this CD a number of times before, but for some reason, something new resonated for me. The reader was talking about self-sabotage, when I very clearly heard him say that fear and faith can't exist at the same time. These were not his exact words, but the meaning of the concept was incredibly clear; fear and faith cannot coexist!
This probably struck me because I've been struggling with feeling stuck in some aspects of my life and business for the past year or so without being able to put my finger on exactly what it is, or being able to shake it. So there it was, as clear as the computer in front of me, or the floor under my feet. But yet I didn't see it! Maybe I wasn't ready. Maybe there were lessons life had yet to teach me. Whatever the reason, it struck me. While trying to launch my ship to discover distant shores, I still want to stay firmly attached to the dock. Have you ever been there?
We can see it as faith in a power greater than ourselves, faith in ourselves, faith in others, or even faith in a process. But, whatever way we look at it, if we are not willing to hoist anchor, untie our ship, put our oars in the water, lift our sails, or start our engines, we can't sail!
"So how do I do it?" I began to ask myself, and I came up with several ideas I'd like to share with you that you might find useful.
First, we have to remember that feelings are not facts. Just because you're afraid, doesn't mean it's a bad thing or harmful. To paraphrase Mark Twain, "Courage isn't an absence of fear, its feeling the fear and doing it anyway!" So not everything you fear is real or even negative. It may just be something you fear today because of an experience in your life that has no relevance today. So, look at it and think, "Does this make sense for me today?" And if you are ever in doubt, run it by those in your mastermind group. See what they think.
Secondly, defer to the advice of Nido Qubein, President of High Point University in North Carolina, who advises us to consider "What is the cost of doing this? What will be the worse thing that will happen if you do it?" He asks us to really consider if we can stand, afford, or live with this occurring? If you can't, then don't do it. Does it have a negative consequence for someone else? You have to live with the consequences of your decisions, so make sure it doesn't negatively impact someone else. Don't mistakenly assume it will be all right with them. If in doubt, find out! Mr. Qubein also suggests we "Consider the cost of not doing it. " What will be the worse thing that will happen if you don't do it? What will you miss out on? How will not doing it affect your future? Does this have the potential to negatively impact anyone else? We need to accept the impact of our own decisions.
Third, look at what you want to do and ask yourself "Have I really committed to this or am I lukewarm?" Real commitment is like breakfast. The hen contributes, but the pig commits! If you are going to commit, go after it with a passion! It takes no more energy to do something exceptionally well than it does to deal with all of the ramifications of doing it mediocre, or not at all.
Finally, you know intellectually that this makes sense; but doing it is something else. That is where faith comes in. Know that God, the universe, or however you conceive of a power greater than yourself, will respond to your thoughts and actions in a manner consistent with those thoughts, preparations, and intentions. Being consistent means acting in a manner congruent with the desired intent. Hanging onto fear is totally inconsistent with having the faith to move forward. When we've properly prepared, adequately planned, and are acting consistent with the results we want, there is reason to expect to achieve the results we want. Stepping off of the dock and into the boat is a thrilling endeavor, but just wait until you actually untie, hoist anchor, and lift those sails. Only then will the journey truly begin!
Have faith and be well!
John
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