"Stay afraid, but do it anyway."

Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for topics you would like me to cover that would help you in your own artistic journey and creative practice.

A Guide to Action and Confidence

We’ve all felt it: the gnawing fear of starting something new, the hesitation before taking that first big leap. Whether it’s launching a new business, giving a speech, or stepping into a new role, fear can be a paralysing force. But what if I told you that the key to overcoming fear isn’t to wait for confidence to magically appear? Instead, it’s about taking action, even when you're afraid.

Carrie Fisher, the beloved actress and writer, famously said, “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.” This quote encapsulates a powerful mindset for success: that action comes before confidence.

In the professional world, this mindset is often the difference between success and stagnation. But why is it so effective? How can we apply this concept in real life? Let’s break it down.

The Paradox of Confidence

Confidence is a funny thing. It’s something many of us desire, especially when facing a challenge. Yet, it’s often the thing we lack when we need it the most. Waiting for that perfect moment when we feel "ready" is an exercise in frustration. The longer we wait, the more we delay progress, and the more our fear takes root.

But confidence doesn’t come from sitting back and waiting for the stars to align. It comes from doing. The more we put ourselves out there, the more we learn, adapt, and grow. It’s the act of trying and failing, then trying again that builds true confidence.

Take a moment to think about the times you’ve had to step out of your comfort zone. Did you feel completely confident at the start? Probably not. But after you took that first step—whether it was making a difficult phone call, delivering a presentation, or introducing yourself to a new client—didn’t you feel a sense of achievement? And didn’t that sense of accomplishment build your confidence over time?

Overcoming Fear with Action

Fear is often rooted in uncertainty. We fear what we don’t know, what we haven’t tried before, and what we think might go wrong. But here’s the thing: fear is natural. Everyone feels it. Even the most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders have moments of fear. The key difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is that successful people act despite their fear.

It’s not about eliminating fear; it’s about managing it. Acknowledge your fear, understand that it’s a part of the journey, and then push forward anyway.

This idea is especially relevant for entrepreneurs and professionals. Starting a business, launching a new product, or making a bold career move all come with their own set of risks. The fear of failure can be overwhelming, but it’s essential to recognise that failure is often the first step toward growth.

Take the example of Sara Blakely , founder of Spanx . When she started her company, she didn’t have all the answers. She was scared. But she didn’t let that stop her. She took action, and through persistence, her confidence grew. Spanx went on to become one of the most successful brands in the world.

Link ?? 18 February 2021: Oliver Romsen@ Medium, "How to Overcome the Fear of Failure like Spanx Founder Sara Blakely": https://medium.com/change-your-mind/how-to-crush-the-fear-of-failure-like-spanx-founder-sara-blakely-3be8118b1815

Blakely’s story is a testament to the fact that action leads to confidence. The more she worked, the more she learned, and the more her confidence grew. If she had waited until she felt 100% ready, Spanx might not have become what it is today.

The Role of Consistency in Building Confidence

Another critical element to building confidence through action is consistency. Confidence isn’t built overnight; it’s the result of continuous, persistent effort.

Think of it like learning to play a musical instrument. The first few times you pick up an instrument, you might feel clumsy. Your fingers fumble, the notes sound off, and you wonder if you’ll ever get the hang of it. But with every practice session, you improve. With each small step forward, your skill grows, and so does your confidence. The same principle applies to any area of life.

In the professional world, consistency is key. Whether you’re networking, writing, or learning new skills, doing something consistently, even in small increments, will gradually build both your competence and confidence.

Confidence Through Action: Practical Tips

So, how can you apply this mindset to your own life? Here are a few tips to help you take action and build confidence:

1. Start Small Don’t feel like you need to take giant leaps right away. Break your goals down into smaller, manageable steps. The small wins will accumulate and give you the confidence to tackle bigger challenges.
2. Embrace the Fear Rather than waiting for the fear to disappear, acknowledge it. Fear is natural, and it’s a sign that you’re pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. Embrace it and move forward anyway.
3. Set Realistic Expectations Don’t expect immediate success. Realise that failure and setbacks are part of the process. Each mistake is a lesson that will make you more confident the next time you try.
4. Seek Support You don’t have to do it alone. Find a mentor, join a community, or talk to others who have been through similar experiences. Surrounding yourself with supportive people can help build your confidence and provide encouragement when you need it most.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins Take time to acknowledge your progress. Celebrate the small achievements along the way, and use them as fuel to keep going. Each step forward is a sign of growth.

The Power of Action

At the end of the day, confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you create through action. By taking that first step, no matter how small, you’re building the foundation for greater things to come.

So, what’s stopping you? Don’t wait for the fear to fade or for confidence to magically appear. Take action, and let the confidence follow. Because, as Carrie Fisher wisely said, “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”

Are you ready to take that first step, even if you’re afraid?

Calls to Action

1. The Artist in Your Own Residence community at Founders and Mentors is a place to find hang out with other like-minded members in a relaxed, supportive and informal atmosphere, to find sustainable motivation to work on long-held artistic ambitions, to participate in peer-to-peer mentoring partnerships, to make tangible progress with creative projects, and to attend events, both online and IRL. It's a place of encouragement and celebrations: to meet people, network, learn, relax, and be nice to each other. If you would like to join the community for free, please click this link ??https://community.12ronnies.com/share/0chitX5arUVS32Gj
2. The Artist in Your Own Residence community at Founders and Mentors runs an active community at WhatsApp. If you would like to apply to join the conversation and stay in the loop, please click this link ?? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfg7lUtWbo23cHbLgIGkSz_O_HGE7PhoNRY4KN3lG60cjdOeA/viewform
3. Artist in Your Own Residence is a low-pressure, peer-to-peer mentoring scheme for anyone who thinks of themselves as being creative. If you would like to apply to join the scheme and take part in the program, please click this link ??https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc93v3ZXW9PJ7JLTgmWWNjghkW9N2wPSc0Dc9OZKfRJgRNg7A/viewform
4. Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for topics you would like me to cover that would help you in your own artistic journey and creative practice.

Become the artist in your own residence that changes the world!

Christopher Norris

Cover image credit: Artwork created using DALL-E in response to a prompt using the title of this article