"Is Fear Holding You Back from Your Ideal Career? If So, Dream Dangerously!". Think. Plan. Do. Make Bold Steps towards your Growth.

Fearless Entrepreneur & Leader. JULIA LECKEY’S BLOG

by Julia Leckey . 5th September 2024

Welcome to the 4th bi-weekly edition of Think, Plan, Do! I'll guide you through my process of launching two businesses in 2024, sharing insights on being a fearless leader and entrepreneur, and how you can grow boldly in your life. Even if you're not starting a business, this will help you achieve your goals and develop a fearless mindset.

Why Does a Fearless Mindset Matter?

It fosters curiosity, creativity, innovation, resilience, and risk-taking—essential for driving growth and creating impactful change. Growth is where learning happens.

Work on what you love and make a difference.

Contribute positively to our world.

Julia

1/ THINK ??

"Is Fear Holding You Back from Your Ideal Career? If So, Dream Dangerously!"

Let me explain:

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about fear while coaching people—fear that holds them back from starting a business, leaving a job they hate, or even daring to do both at the same time. Over time, I’ve come to believe that “life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage,” as Ana?s Nin wisely said.

When I was younger, I loved reading and writing, but I stopped because I couldn’t spell. It seems bonkers now, as writing became the 'life jacket' that soothed my soul, quieted my mind, and relaxed my body during my battles with cancer. The fear of not being good enough, of exposing my weaknesses, held me back from writing and publishing books—things that truly light me up!

When my actress friend Charlie Brooks was cast in Neil Gaiman’s?The Ocean at the End of the Lane, I was over the moon for her. While some idolised rock stars, I idolised authors like Neil Gaiman, Steven King, Philip. K Dick, Tolkien, and Thomas Hardy.

One Sunday last year, I heard Neil was going to the Southampton Theatre to see his play, so I quickly bought a ticket. A few hours later, I was sitting behind him like a teenage fan. An unexpected invite to the bar led to me standing next to him. After sharing how much I loved his books and comics (Sandman, American Gods, The Graveyard Book, etc.), I dived right in and asked for his advice on becoming an author, mentioning the two books I’d been agonising over.

"Dream Dangerously," he said, and then proceeded to scrawl it on my poster.

Ten minutes later, brimming with more words of wisdom from an expert, I had a mini plan in mind on what to do next! (Two books published later, here I am ??)

Over the years, I’ve learned that many people are happy to help, so don’t ever be afraid to ask.

Thank you, Neil. x

Can you conquer the fears holding you back?

Many people hesitate to dream about the future because it feels too daunting; self-doubt creeps in, making their dreams seem out of reach. But a strong dream is a powerful PULL —it energises you in the morning, helps you endure bad days, and plants seeds for the future. Plus, they might actually require action (God help them!)—whether it’s starting that cooking business, writing a book, play, or song, or even setting up a sound healing business like my friend Jill, the Gong Whisperer.

The key to conquering fear is to follow the path that excites you most and just explore it—why not?

Something to THINK about: What really interests you? These things might…

• …. spark your curiosity.
• …. earn you ￡1 million a year in the future.
• …. futureproof your life by pulling you in a different direction.
• ….be a fab side hustle you love pottering with.
• ….boost your energy: Exhaustion creeps in when we do things that don’t interest us or we constantly entertain negative thoughts. Find what lights you up and give it a go. Try speaking kind words to yourself and notice the difference.

Example:?

Take my 74-year-old mom. She was a Salvation Army officer, then a social worker for the homeless, before deciding at 51 that she’d had enough. She was riddled with anxiety, low energy and fear of leaving her safe job, which she hated. After much anxiety and a near breakdown, she was offered redundancy. This filled her with more nervous fear. But one day, she was walking through our local town, saw a job as a shop assistant in a lovely homeware shop, offered her services, and within a year, she owned it. She followed the path that interested her most!

She discovered a new energy for life and a hidden “superpower.” Her “superpower” was her intuitive ability to fill her shop with things people loved, and she ran the shop with military financial precision = “Creative + Commerciality” .

She had her balance sheet down to the pennies. I would walk in and ask how she was doing that day, and she would say, “￡450.52—a good day today!” She had always undersold her financial savvy, but my mom could add up a shopping basket in her head as she walked around a supermarket, thanks to years of tight budgeting. With her creative, curious mind, she studied people’s tastes and knew exactly what they would love to buy from her shop.

Becoming an entrepreneur at 51 didn’t mean…

• …she earned less money (in fact, she earned more!).
• …it took up more of her time (she had more free time).
• …she was lonely (she took on some of her best friends to help her :).

She ran the shop until she was 65, when someone else walked by, it piqued their interest, and they approached her (just as she had done 15 years before) to buy it from her. I can’t tell you how life transforming this move was for her – Proud of you mom!!

Can you Feel the Fear and Do it anyway?

Years ago, I read Susan Jeffers’ Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway and loved it. The book has sold millions worldwide, and it’s easy to see why. Jeffers encourages readers to face their fears and take action, explaining that fear is natural but shouldn’t prevent you from chasing your goals. The key message: act despite fear, and you’ll grow stronger and more confident. It made me rethink my work and life. I stopped apologising for feeling 'unsatisfied' and realised I’m happiest when learning and growing—developing a 'Fearless Growth Mindset' became crucial to my progress. If you would like to buy a copy, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feel-Fear-Anyway-Indecision-Confidence/dp/0091907071

Bringing it back to my two businesses:?In Thinking Fearlessly , my coaching business, I love helping leaders and entrepreneurs Think Fearlessly. As Susan says, the opposite of not being satisfied isn’t being unsatisfied—it’s learning and growing, and I want to help leaders and entrepreneurs do just that.

At Land of Colourful Creatures , I didn’t want to wait until retirement to become an author, so I thought of ways to make my writing and art work for me commercially and creatively. Hence the LOCC business model I've been building.

Yay! ?? to “Dreaming Dangerously”

Make time for THINKING ??

2/ PLAN ??

I love a Plan.

The best way to conquer the fear holding you back is by writing a plan. Imagine a rock climber scaling a steep mountain face—there’s no way they’d let go of the mountainside without finding a handhold to grab next. That’s how important a plan is.

I interviewed a top global CEO last week for my upcoming book, launching in 2024. We discussed what it takes to be a great leader and the importance of letting your faith in yourself be stronger than your fears. One key takeaway was the significance of “Laser focus— know what you want, who you want to be, and go for it” (Think, Plan, Do). I found this video online that’s definitely worth a watch!

Get LASER FOCUSED for 2024 (in 18 minutes):?Watch Shaan Puri’s video .

Must-Read Books if You Want to Start Your laser focused plan:

1. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki The book encourages readers to think like an entrepreneur, recognising opportunities, taking calculated risks, and focusing on building passive income streams. For anyone crafting a creative and commercial plan, these are invaluable insights. If you would like to buy a copy, click here.
2. The Long Game by Dorie ClarkThe Long Game is about playing the long-term strategy game in your career and business. Dorie Clark discusses how to make strategic decisions that will pay off in the long run, which is crucial for building a sustainable creative or commercial venture. Her advice when things seem bleak: Ask yourself three questions that can help keep you on track: Why am I doing this? Has it worked for others? What do my trusted advisers say? YES, I love this!If you would like to buy a copy, click here.

Something to Plan:?What does your laser focused plan look like?

Yes, I love a PLAN ??

3/ DO ??

There’s no point in Thinking and Planning without Doing…

The challenge for all of us is an inner one. To keep going when it seems like no one is paying attention or cares, and believe that eventually, the world will catch up.

In the spirit of doing, I’ve accomplished three BIG things in the last two weeks—fun, family-oriented, and foundation-building:

1. Fun: I’ve released the Colourful Creatures audiobook, recorded by the magical actress Charlie Brooks. I can honestly say she has brought it to life in an epic way—her voices for the different characters are truly awesome. I’ve let go of the need for perfection—it’s time to get it out there. If you would like to buy a copy, click here .

To watch Charlie Brooks in action on my YouTube channel, click here :

• link to the First Video

2. Foundation:?I’ve secured time to get advice from publishing expert to help develop my next book. His decades of experience will boost my momentum and push me forward as an author to get this book out in 2024.

3. Family:?I’m heading to IKEA with my son to get his university gear. The reality is setting in for me, my husband (Eddy), and our 13-year-old. Eek!!

What can you…

THINK??

PLAN ??.

DO ??

This week to power your boat.

I hope this helps,

Julia x

Copyright (C) 2023 Thinking Fearlessly Ltd|*. All rights reserved.

Next Event: “Fearless Entrepreneur” Event. Soho House Dean Street. London workshop. Sept 20th 9:30-11am.

Share:

Twitter: Julia Leckey

YouTube: Julia Leckey

LinkedIn: Julia Leckey

Email:?[email protected]

All sites Linktree: Julia Leckey

Julia Leckey: Parents: Salvation Army officers, Social Worker, Accountant, Headteacher, Artist, entrepreneurs. Studied at Nottingham Trent. WPP as a Director.? Started own business at 31 with a baby; grew to high 7 figures. Sold it. Started new business at 43 with two boys; grew to 7 figures. Sold it. Started Thinking Fearlessly. Started Land of Colourful Creatures.

Two cancers. Learned not to let FEAR drive my car.