What Would You Do if You Weren’t Afraid?

Dear Leader,?

What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Really think about it. Envision your life without doubts or anxious thoughts popping up. Just for a moment, imagine what your life could look like if imposter syndrome wasn’t in the room with you.?

Would you go back to school, quit your job, start a business, apply for a promotion, or become a manager??

What’s your deepest aspiration that comes to mind for you??

This week, I challenge you to keep a notepad on you or a document open to write down your findings when you keep asking yourself: “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid?”?

It can be challenging to think about, as the amygdala, the security mechanism in your brain, tries to do just that—keep you secure, away from the unknown and uncertainty. But you no longer live in an environment where bear attacks are thrust upon you. Even facing a colleague’s scrutiny in a boardroom isn’t life or death, yet your brain still sees it like a bear attack, wanting you to avoid it at all costs.??

Imagine what this safety mechanism has kept you from.??

For example, let’s say you’re thinking about applying for a new position in another department but you’re worried because you don’t meet all the requirements listed on the job posting. You know you’re a quick learner and are eager to face the challenge, but you don’t have the five years of experience, nor the expertise in the area they’re looking for. Even though you bring other skills that would be of value, you’re doubtful they’ll appreciate these skills and the experience you bring to the table. So, instead of putting your name in the hat to see if you have a shot, you don’t even apply.? You aren’t certain they’ll hire you, so why bother with the effort. You justify why now is not a good time.?

How many opportunities like this one have you talked yourself out of???

This old-brain mentality always makes a good case for why you shouldn’t do something and how the time isn’t right, yet as a human, you’re also wired for more, to be, do, and have more.??

You are here to make something of yourself. You have a noble purpose and you’ve been bestowed specific gifts to create and live out your purpose. These thoughts and beliefs exist in your pre-frontal cortex. The pre-frontal cortex is located at the front of the brain, right behind your forehead.? It’s also known as the executive function of your brain. It’s responsible for setting goals, planning for the future, and imagining possibilities beyond your current reality. This is where you do all your dream thinking.? The pre-frontal cortex drives you to seek out new experiences and embrace challenges, allowing you to step outside your comfort zone.??????

Now, imagine if you depended on your pre-frontal cortex over your amygdala.??

Using the same example, the pre-frontal cortex acknowledges that even though you don’t bring the experience or expertise the hiring manager is looking for, you bring something different that’s equally valuable. For instance, your collaborative communication skills can help the team work better together by improving how the work gets done. You have a unique ability to create open communication environments, whereby challenges are easily put out in front of conversations versus being buried because they’re too difficult to confront. These skills are what have helped you build solid relationships with your colleagues, and there’s no reason you can’t do it again. Plus, your network in the other department can assist this team in improving cross-function collaborations to help them get projects to the finish line faster.??

Instead of playing it safe, sticking to what you know, you take a step outside your comfort zone and apply for the position. You tell yourself, even if you don’t get the job, you’ll learn so much from the experience and expand your network because you put your name in the hat.????

You have big dreams, big goals, and a big impact to make.?

What will you start doing today to make Edge Moves to ensure your comfort zone doesn’t prevent your dreams from becoming a reality???

Reflect on it now, but as I publish more editions, I’ll leave tangible breadcrumb tips throughout that you can start applying.?

I’m here with you on this journey.?

Sincerely,?

Finka Jerkovic?