From Freaking Out to Fierce: Turning Anxieties into Achievements

When I was a little girl, public speaking was my greatest fear. I still remember one Thanksgiving when my family went around the table sharing what we were thankful for. When it was my turn, I panicked and yelled, “My business is my business and nobody else’s business but mine!” before running off to hide in a closet. To this day, my family laughs about it, turning it into a funny anecdote from my childhood.

As lighthearted as this story is, it touches on a deeper issue many of us face: fear. Fear of exposure, fear of judgment, fear of failure. These fears can follow us from childhood into our professional lives, potentially holding us back from reaching our full potential.

Understanding and Embracing Fear

Fear is a natural, powerful emotion. It’s our body’s way of protecting us from perceived threats. However, in the professional world, these “threats” are often situations that require us to step out of our comfort zones—public speaking, taking on new responsibilities, or pursuing leadership roles. Here’s how I’ve learned to understand and embrace fear and how you can, too:

1. Recognize the Root of Your Fear: Understanding where your fear comes from is the first step in overcoming it. Is it fear of failure? Fear of judgment? Identifying the root can help you address it more effectively.
2. Reframe Your Perspective: Instead of viewing fear as a negative emotion, see it as an opportunity for growth. Every time you face your fear, you gain experience and build resilience.
3. Take Small Steps: Overcoming fear doesn’t happen overnight. Start by taking small, manageable steps toward confronting what scares you. Each small victory builds confidence.
4. Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to seek support from mentors, colleagues, or even professional coaches. Sometimes, talking about your fears can diminish their power over you.
5. Learn from Failures: Embrace the idea that failure is a part of the learning process. Every setback provides valuable lessons that contribute to your growth and success.
6. Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Each step forward is a testament to your courage and determination.

Common Professional Fears and How to Tackle Them

1. Fear of Not Being Enough: Also known as imposter syndrome, this is the persistent fear of being exposed as a “fraud” despite evident success and competence. To combat this, remind yourself of your achievements and skills. Keep a record of your accomplishments and revisit it whenever self-doubt creeps in.
2. Fear of Public Speaking: One of the most common professional fears, it can be tackled by practicing regularly, starting with smaller groups, and gradually increasing the audience size. Joining groups like Toastmasters can also be immensely helpful.
3. Fear of Failure: This fear often leads to avoiding risks, which can hinder growth. Reframe failure as a learning opportunity. Remember, every successful person has faced failure at some point.
4. Fear of Rejection: Whether pitching an idea, asking for a raise, or applying for a promotion, fear of rejection can be paralyzing. Build resilience by accepting that rejection is a part of the journey to success. Use it as feedback to improve and move forward.
5. Fear of Change: Change can be daunting, especially in a professional setting. Embrace change by viewing it as an opportunity for growth and innovation. Stay adaptable and open to new experiences.

Turning Fear into a Professional Asset

In the professional world, fear can be a barrier, but it can also be a powerful motivator. Here’s how you can turn fear into an asset:

1. Improved Preparation: Fear of failure often leads to thorough preparation. Use this to your advantage by becoming an expert in your field and always being well-prepared for any situation.
2. Increased Empathy: Facing your fears can make you more empathetic towards struggling others. This empathy can enhance your leadership and teamwork skills.
3. Enhanced Creativity: Sometimes, fear pushes us to think outside the box and find creative solutions to problems. Embrace this creative energy and let it drive innovation in your work.
4. Greater Resilience: Overcoming fear builds resilience. This resilience can help you navigate your professional life’s inevitable challenges and setbacks.

Personal Growth and Professional Success

My childhood Thanksgiving story is a humorous reminder of where I started, but it also serves as a powerful testament to growth and resilience. We can transform our weaknesses into strengths by facing our fears head-on and continuously working to improve.

So, next time you’re faced with a challenge that makes you want to run and hide in a closet, remember that even the most daunting fears can be overcome. Embrace the journey, learn from every experience, and watch how your professional life flourishes.

Wrapping It Up

Fear is a natural part of the human experience, but it doesn’t have to define you. Understanding, embracing, and working through your fears can turn them into powerful tools for personal and professional growth. Here’s to stepping out of the closet and into the spotlight—your growth and success await!

Ash Serrano is a marketer with 15+ years of in-house and agency experience and a knack for creating engaging written and creative content that performs. She has worked with major brands like Amazon, discovery+, Gensler, HGTV, Hulu, KPMG, Mondelez, Pizza Hut, Sugarbear Hair, Synovus, and the Kardashians. She specializes in executive personal branding, creative direction, and influencer marketing. She also owns a career services company, Fairy Career Mother , geared toward getting more women of color into leadership positions.

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