We live in a world where opportunity is all around us. With technological advancements like the internet, we have the world at our fingertips. Information flows freely right into our living room, and we don’t even have to leave our couch to get a college education. All we have to do is turn on the computer, and we have access to the greatest minds of our day.
I recently asked a group of entrepreneurs, “What do you do when you have a question?” Their answer: “Google it!”
You can find answers to anything on the internet like:
- How to unclog your sink
- How to have better communication with your spouse
- How to market your business
- How to train a horse
- How to play the piano
With so many ways to learn to be successful in any area of your life, why aren’t we all millionaires living our dreams? The answer: Fear
Fear is the biggest destroyer of dreams. It stops us from taking action and moving forward with momentum. Fear is an emotion designed to protect us from danger, but often, our fear gets in the way of progress.
The other day, I had a conversation with a woman who told me her grandson took a job across the country where he has no friends or family. She told the story with obvious pride and admiration for her grandson’s bravery. Explaining he took himself on a mini vacation to some of the beaches to see the sights, she exclaimed, “I could never do that by myself, I would be too afraid!” These are the kind of fears that keep us from living our dreams.
So how do we overcome our fears and find success? Here’s are some ways to help you gain control and take action.
1. Get into a state of follow through.
a. You must condition your mind with positive, uplifting messages that encourage you to move forward. The breakthrough happens when you condition your mind every day. Make the commitment that you’re going to do one thing every day or every week to reach a goal.
b. Break your pattern of negative thinking that keeps you stuck. Are you stuck because you keep telling yourself the same old story? The only thing keeping you from getting you what you want is the story you keep telling yourself. Divorce your story and marry the truth! Find a story that empowers you.
2. Get clear about your why. This is a must.
a. If you don’t have a clear understanding of why you want something, it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever achieve it. A strong “why” is the engine that will drive you toward your destination. If the only reason you want to achieve “success” is because you want more money, but don’t have a strong understanding of why you want more money, you’ll probably end up disappointed. Clarity is power!
b. Have a plan. In order to have a plan, you must get very specific about where you want to go. Once you know where you want to go, then you can design a roadmap to get you there. Ask yourself, “What’s my outcome?” It’s hard to hit a target if you don’t know what it is. Imagine driving across Europe without a clear destination and no GPS to tell you where you are or where you’re going. The end result could be anybody’s guess. Know where you’re going, and how you’re going to get there.
c. Change your standard. We often settle because our expectations for ourselves is too low. Get around people with a higher standard. It will help you see what’s possible, and can motivate you to achieve something greater than you’re currently achieving.
When you’re absolutely certain about something, you’re going to do it. Gaining certainty starts with creating the results in your head first, then transferring that certainty into action.
Find something that you’re more afraid of than your fear, like missing out on your dreams. Open your mind to the possibilities of what you’re capable of. Push yourself to go beyond your fear. If you take massive action, you’ll get massive results, and this will reinforce your belief. If what you’re doing isn’t working, then change it, and keep changing it until it works. You have the ability to have what you want, even if fear is present. Step through the fear, create an empowering story, condition your mind daily, and success will be yours!
