Tag: self esteem

Overcoming your fears creates a powerfully exhilarating feeling. It builds self-esteem by changing your self-concept. It allows you to confidently take on new challenges. On the other hand, there is nothing more debilitating than letting your fears stop you from living the life you are meant to live.

Fear is an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. There is no greater loss to the world than missing out on your unique contribution because you’re afraid to fail or afraid you don’t have anything worth contributing.

We all have special gifts and talents. Only one thing separates most people from those who experience woman empowerment; it’s looking at your fears and making the decision that your goals are bigger than your fears. Don’t let your fears keep you stuck where you are.

Are fear-based beliefs running your life?

Do this personal growth exercise. Make three columns on a piece of paper. List all your fears in the first column. In the next column write down what’s the worst thing that could happen if they came true. In the third column, write down a solution to the problem.

If you feel the need to discuss your limiting beliefs with someone, take just the first five minutes to describe the problem and the rest of the time brainstorming a solution.

The reality is that 95 percent of your fears will never be realized. And now that you know the worst thing that can happen, and how you’re going to resolve it, there’s no reason to live with fear any longer.

Everybody fails at something, even the most successful women entrepreneurs. But successful women in business have learned to treat failure differently than ordinary people. They see failures or setbacks as guideposts change that which will bring them one step closer to success.

Successful women entrepreneurs have no shame in failure; they celebrate it as personal growth and move on. Every day ordinary people realize their dreams because they took action in the face of their fears. They didn’t wait for all the right contacts or every piece of information. They went for it, and so can you.

One powerful way I’ve found to overcome my fears I found by accident. It just dawned on me one day that this process is how I frequently overcome deep-seated fears. Let me share it with you.

When you are involved in a project that is bigger than yourself, a project that will help others, you forget about your own fears.

When it’s not about you, it’s much easier to move through your fears towards personal growth. It doesn’t have to be as big as ending hunger or creating world peace, just something big enough to pull you out of your comfort zone.

Here’s how I overcame a fear that was very real to me the whole time I was growing up. It may seem silly to you, but I had the fear of being noticed.

I tried to be invisible. I grew up with low self-esteem and was incredibly self-conscious. To avoid drawing attention to myself, I dressed very conservatively.

So how did I start modeling and in a short amount of time, begin modeling bathing suits?

I modeled because a friend asked for my help. It wasn’t about me, it was about helping another.

I shopped at my friend’s boutique and loved the clothes she carried. She asked me to help out when she lost her regular model for a weekly hotel fashion show. I was scared to death, but I told myself I only had to do it once.

Incredibly, sales from the show increased and she asked me to replace the other model. Since I was helping her build her business, and I liked being helpful, and I said yes.

It became clear to me that my mousy self-concept was the opposite of how other women in business saw me. I started modeling for other stores, doing runway shows in my local area and posing for print ads. I loved it.

The biggest benefit was not that I changed my wardrobe, but that I changed my self-concept. I had overcome a major fear that had stopped me from saying yes to many opportunities.

All it took was saying yes one time to something that was scary and outside my comfort zone. What would happen if you gave it a try?

Women’s Empowerment Action Step: What would you be doing if you knew you couldn’t fail?

What’s the first thing that pops into your head? There’s a picture that immediately flashed into your brain when you read the question. What is it?

I encourage you to write that question on several cards and post them in different places around your home. Take this first step, and it will remind you that you’re on the path to personal growth and banishing fear from your life.

Lynn Pierce is the founder of one of the most exciting annual events for women entrepreneurs, “Women’s Business Empowerment Summit”. For more than 25 years she’s taught people how to combine business and personal development to reach the pinnacle of success and live the life of their dreams. Now she shares her keys to success and life mastery with you. Lynn’s commitment to your success continues online at www.LynnPierce.com www.YourBreakthroughToSuccess.com, www.WomensBusinessEmpowermentSummit.com