How does embracing vulnerability aid in overcoming fear of failure?

Leadership requires someone to go first, embracing vulnerability to inspire others. Sharing your pivotal life moments can foster a culture of courage to be vulnerable. During our annual retreat, facing a life crisis, I had a pivotal moment in a high-performance mastermind group I belonged to. Despite the paralyzing fear of being booed from the room, I shared the complete dismantling of my life, and it was met with applause. The group leader thanked me for having the courage to reveal the truth and then encouraged each of us to become "that vulnerable." Even though I didn't mean to "go first," I learned that vulnerability can create safe spaces to become completely transparent, leading to collective growth and bonding.

Fear is just a trigger, signaling a sense we don't feel safe or secure. Feeling "unsafe" is often rooted in past experiences. If you were inadequately nurtured, you developed fear around things like being unsupported, abandoned, rejected, judged, or criticized. It's likely that fear pops up regularly in your adult life. Issues in your life now can evoke a sense of when you felt unsafe as a child, causing similar feelings in your present. This is an activation in your nervous system, which we often refer to as a "trigger". As an adult, you must reorient to the present. Unlike "Little You" in the past, who was unable to feel empowered, "Adult You" can take inspired action in your current situation. You decide what happens next.

You have nothing to hide—no, really. Your story and every experience that has brought you to this point has been for your benefit and for the good of those with whom you rub shoulders. Sometimes, we feel like the things we have gone through are something to be embarrassed about. Look, once upon a time, I dug for food out of a dumpster to feed my family. That could have been a shameful story unless I shared the lesson. It was a very low point in my life, but it forced me to seek a different path, which led me to become an accidentalpreneur. Knowing what we don't want helps us know what we do want!?? Your authenticity not only sets you free but also gives others permission to let go of their own shame and cultivate trust and connection.

Were you worried back in the day that you might not be able to figure out the correct order in which you should go from rolling over to running? No, but in perfect timing and successsion, you discovered how to go from the floor to two legs without a single worry. None of your efforts were failed attempts. They were helpful stepping stones to where you were trying to go. Worry only adds resistance to your intention to succeed and is a sign you believe failure means you've done something wrong. Not so! You're just gathering information and allowing your efforts to prove fruitful over time. So, a word to the wise: leave worry out of it...your efforts will lead you to success, and we know this because you're still up on two legs! PROOF!

You are not here for the creation. You're not a one and done human. You are a creatOR. You are here for the creatING. Your ability to be in a state of creativity is what launches your innovation, implementing your best creative ideas. Finding ways to stay in a creative state means endless opportunities to innovate and experiment with your ideas. These are your gifts to the world! I once heard a linebacker answer the question, "What's your secret to resiliency on the field?" He answered, "a short memory." ?? If 1 or 1,000 of your creations don't amount to much, shrug it off. Who cares? It's not a big deal. Get back in the flow immediately! Creativity and innovation are the gifts that keep on giving! Go team!