The Truth About Fear

One of my clients recently asked me, "How do you know when you're ready to begin?" 🤔

Is it when you've fulfilled a certain number of hours of training?

Is it when you've been given permission by an authority figure to start?

Is it a guttural feeling where you just know that it's time?

The truth is, you'll only be ready when you begin.

You feel the fear, knees knocking with teeth chattering - and you do it anyway.

Here's my secret...

Every post I put out, every video I record, every workshop I facilitate and every performance or talk I've given did not happen because I'm naturally confident.

"What will they think of me? what if I utterly fail? What if I'm never invited back again?" 😩

Showing face still terrifies me. And yes, I have failed multiple times.

Forgotten lines. Said the wrong word. Faced rejection (many times).

And yet, my accomplishments are still a direct result of my fear.

Do you allow fear to stop you from taking action toward putting your story and your services out there? 

But I'm not here to tell you to get rid of your fear! 🔥On the contrary, fear will be one of your greatest allies toward achieving your goals. Fear exists to protect you, and this is where I've started to heal my relationship with fear by saying thank you.

"Fear, thank you for caring enough about me to never want to leave my side.

Fear, thank you for working overtime to make sure my feelings don't get hurt.

Fear, thank you for pointing me toward the direction of what's 'safe'.

But Fear, I'm gonna need you to take the passenger seat.

Fear, you're welcome to join me on this journey since you've had my back for this long.

You can sit with me, but I will no longer allow you to overrule me. Take a break. I love you." 

Banish Befriend your Fear.

Sometimes, doing the thing that scares you the most will allow the Confidence you seek to emerge. Fail many times forward, because failure or rejection is not an endpoint. It's a part of the process, and an opportunity to celebrate that you're actually doing the work! Go you!!!

And when you are so aligned with your purpose, the fear of failure becomes secondary. 

If you've been afraid of putting yourself out there or lack clarity on your direction, you don't have to go about it alone. ❤️

Someone out there needs to hear what it is you have to say or offer, because so many of us are terrified and feeling isolated! It's not about the pretty website or the perfect branding.

It's about your lived experience and your story.

This is why Your Story Medicine matters.

And sometimes, offering your vulnerability and truth is just enough to begin.

YOU are enough.

xo,

Jumakae