Fear is usually right

When you're doing something new, thoughts of fear come in that can be absolutely paralyzing.

• You have no idea what you're doing.

• You don't belong here.

• You'll never get through this.

• Someone's going to get hurt.

• No one will care about this.

• This will be an epic failure.

And these thoughts are right.
(As standalone statements)

Three of my favorite words these days are short and sweet. They're the words: AND, IF, and SO.

This little set is the magic expander that takes any fear-centered statement from truth to dare. Watch! I'll show you. We'll take that same list and work some expansive magic with it.

• You have no idea what you're doing, AND you're great at learning new things. SO just go ahead and try.

• You don't belong here IF you're a person who will cause chaos for everyone else, SO make sure what you bring is of value, AND lead with your unique strengths.

• You'll never get through this IF you try to do it on your own, AND you really don't have to. SO reach out for the support you need, and rock this.

• Someone's going to get hurt IF you act recklessly, AND SO prepare the best you can and pay attention as you go.

• No one will care about this IF you don't speak boldly about it. SO let down your guard and share freely AND find a new audience if it doesn’t resonate.

• This will be an epic failure IF you don't have solid strategy and dedicated effort. AND it has potential to be an epic success when you do. SO make the choice and do the work.

Cool, huh??

Fear is usually right, but he is also lazy. Taken at face value, some situations can seem really overwhelming and discouraging. But when we do the work to find the truth and then address it, our freedom opens up to create our masterpieces (or, you know, just be bold enough to try new stuff).