10 Proven Ways to Overcome Fear and Take the Leap into Success
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Author: Mani Mukhija
Fear can be an extremely paralyzing emotion and oftentimes stands as an obstacle between us and the goal we are aiming to accomplish. It can stop us in our tracks, and keep us from taking the necessary steps to leading a successful life. It can cause us to question our abilities, shrink back from a situation or challenge, and give up when it gets tough.
Taking the leap from living in fear to embrace courage and success will yield results that are beyond your wildest dreams. But how do you get there? It can seem like a daunting task, but with the right mindset, you’ll be able to take the leap with confidence and come out triumphant. So if you’re ready to take control of your life and embark on a journey of success, here are 10 proven ways to overcome fear and take the leap into success.
- Identify your fear: The first step to overcoming your fear is to identify what it is that’s holding you back. Oftentimes, it’s not just one fear that is plaguing us, but a combination of fears that keep us from moving forward. Acknowledge the fears you have and attempt to break them down so that you can get to the root of the problem. Once you know the real fear you’re facing, it’ll be easier to formulate a plan to conquer it.
- Take small steps forward: Tackling fear head-on can be overwhelming, so don’t underestimate the power of taking baby steps. Start by making small changes in your life that may help you overcome the fears that have been preventing you from chasing success. Even if the changes you make seem insignificant, the cumulative effect of moving forward can have an immense impact over time.
- Create a support system: It’s difficult to take big leaps when we don’t have support. Having a group of people who can motivate and encourage us can have a huge impact on our progression. Consider building a support system of family, friends, and mentors who can support you as you take steps toward your goals. Knowing you have people who believe in you can go a long way in helping you overcome fear.
- Visualize success: Start envisioning what success looks like for you. Visualization can be a powerful tool in helping you stay focused and inspired as you move towards your objectives. Spend some time to visualize the end result and remind yourself on a daily basis of the goals you’ve set for yourself.
- Turn setbacks into lessons: No one is successful overnight, and fear of failure can be magnified by not achieving desired results quickly. Don’t let yourself get discouraged if setbacks occur. Instead, take the time to assess what went wrong and learn from it. Find the silver lining behind the setback and use it as a lesson to propel you closer to success.
- Overcome perfectionism: Many of us are our own biggest critics which leads to a fear of not measuring up to our own standards. But perfectionism has a way of holding you back from achieving your goals because it creates impediments to progress. So don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t meet your own expectations. Instead, set realistic and achievable goals, and prioritize progress over perfection.
- Don’t compare yourself to others: Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. This statement holds true for many reasons. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of measuring your success with someone else’s. We all have our own unique paths to success, so instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on how you are progressing and celebrate your own wins.
- Take risks: If you’re aiming for success, you’ll need to take risks. Fear will tell us that we should stay in our comfort zone, but taking risks is the only way to break out of our old habits and unlock new possibilities. Take small risks and remember that failure is a part of the process.
- Celebrate your successes: We’re all guilty of being too hard on ourselves, but that doesn’t mean that we should forget to celebrate our successes. Acknowledge the milestones you achieve along the journey and use that as a reminder to re-evaluate your goals and readjust as needed. Celebrating your wins along the way will act as a fuel to your progress.
- Believe in yourself: Fear can be an intimidating emotion that can cause us to doubt even our own abilities. But it’s important to have faith and trust in yourself and the process. Believe that you are capable of achieving success and it will be easier to take the necessary steps. Be patient and don’t forget to take time to reflect and appreciate how far you’ve come. You’ve got this!
Taking the leap from a fearful state of mind to a state of success is no easy feat, but with the right tools and mindset, you can move beyond your fears and achieve anything you set your mind to.
She-Cession: What Is It + How to Navigate It
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This year has sent various unexpected situations our way. One of the biggest shocking events was COVID-19 that largely affected the world and the majority of our day-to-day lives. Instead of going about our regular routines, the majority of us were spending more time at home — more than many of us were used to. For some of us, it set a full wave through our way of way of living. And for others, it may have only adjusted your working situation.
While this slow time started to hit, many companies had to shut doors and halt production to prepare for the unknown. Yet, women-lead businesses and industries seemed to have been hit the hardest. Many are starting to label this recession as a she-cession — pointing out the overwhelmingly negative effects on working females. Forty-seven percent of jobs held by women are within the three industries hit hardest by COVID-19; hospitality, education, and health services.
Not only does this take your career for an unexpected detour, but it also hinders your budget. For instance, making rent or paying for groceries becomes harder than normal when you don’t have your monthly income to fall back on. To add to the cake, many industries had to shut down operations for a short period of time to stop the spread. Many of those industries were ones that people could benefit from after losing their jobs; the service, hospitality, and educational services.
During these events, it is heartbreaking to see business women diminish with all their hard work. While returning back to work is still made possible, it’s definitely a harder market to get into. While building your resume back up and taking the leap into your next career path may be a great fresh start, it’s hard for women that were affected by this she-cession to go unnoticed.
To help out women in the community, we compiled our tips to getting back into the swing of things. Also be sure to check out the infographic below for more insight about the she-cession and tips to navigating this change.
How to bounce back from a she-cession
This time is hard for anyone that may have lost their job, Yet, it’s how you handle the unfortunate news that could propel your career. While getting back into the job market after getting let go can be hard, you and your budget could profit in the long run. To really get back into your workflow and find the right fit for you and your expertise, follow our top tips below.
First, take some time to breathe
If you need to take a step back, take a step back. Hearing the news that you’re being let go isn’t ever easy. It completely flips your world upside down. You may not be able to pay the bills you have coming in every month, and you may not be able to afford your morning coffees. The things you love the most are more than likely being cut out of your budget.
To take in this change and really evaluate your next steps, take a while for yourself. Start up a new (and inexpensive) hobby, or take up journaling to help you understand your thoughts a little better. From there, you may feel like you have a better idea of what you’d like to do with your career. Not to mention, you may find a new motivation for it.
Touch your toes back in the water
Now it’s time to start the search. Create an account on online job sites or check out local businesses that may need some extra help during this time. Even though many of us are still settling in at home, the holiday season is upon us. There are most likely many businesses that would need your help to get through the season.
Start looking through career opportunities to see what resonates with you the most. Are you wanting to take the same career path before or pivot it? Are you wanting to have the same or more benefits in your package? Really dig in deep and see what career positives could come out of this situation.
Craft your resume to perfection
It’s time to start on your resume. Whether you haven’t used it in a while, or you’ve been perfecting it for a while now, it’s time to put it to the test. If you don’t want to design your own resume, there are many different free templates online, or premium ones that may cost you a little more on Etsy.
Once you find the right template for you, make it perfect! Fill out all your job expertise, achievements and skills. Once it’s completed, send it over to a few friends to take a peek at. If they have any edits, be sure to make them before sending or handing them out. And, always keep your head up and your confidence high! 