Embracing Fear as a Motivator

I woke up this morning with the impending fear of not making it. Tomorrow my private practice is officially open and the reality of not having a steady paycheck flowing in has me in a bit of an anxious state of being. Starting a business is always a risk, and there is no guarantee of success. It can be a daunting prospect to put yourself out there and put in so much effort only to end up with nothing. That fear of failure can be a powerful motivator, but it can also be an overwhelming source of stress. I know that if I stay disciplined and focused, I can make it, but the fear of failure and the unknown can be overwhelming. I am just going to take it one step at a time and see where the journey leads me. Even so, I remain determined to provide quality services to the community and make the best of my new venture. Talking to several people close

to me has helped remind me to stay focused and not get lost in the “what if” thoughts of failing. There is this preconceived idea that I have for myself, which is, since I am in the mental health profession I should know and implement all the skills of positive affirmations and self-talk to keep me out of anxiety, but the reality is that just is not realistic. We all go through something

that causes doubts and concerns in life even if we work in the mental health profession. However, I remind myself that I still have the necessary tools and resources to effectively manage my feelings and emotions, and I strive to be the best mental health professional I can be. Taking care of myself with patience and kindness has put me in a place of grace and contentment, but sometimes that is not enough. I find that the most helpful thing to do in this

situation has been to talk about what my concerns are with the people who care about me. It’s embarrassing to admit a fear to anyone. However, overcoming the fear by calling it out loud and sharing my insecurities has enabled me to address fears instead of suppressing them. Today, I

choose to let go of the fear of failure and embrace the possibility of success. I keep in my mind that even if the worst-case scenario plays out at least I know I tried, and I learned, and that my friends is priceless. I will not let fear keep me from growing and evolving into a person of

purpose and passion. The cost is totally worth the lesson and the possibility of success. I journal what I am grateful for and take note of what is working and what needs to be improved. My life will be what it will be and instead of allowing the unknown to cripple me I choose to embrace it with faith and excitement. I don’t want to know the outcome of everything anyway because that would be so boring! Life is better than good, it is fun and exciting around every corner.