What are you afraid of?

Besides ending a sentence in a preposition. I have to say that it drove me a little crazy to do that. But, I let it go and embraced it. 

The other day I was talking with a friend who said, "you just always seem so put together. Things don't seem to ruffle you and you've created such success." 

Her compliment was very flattering... and also humbling. All of us, no matter the title of our day job, the level of success we've achieved, our goals of tomorrow... we all have fear about something. Maybe it's:

• "can I REALLY do this new thing"
• "what if I'm not successful"
• "am I being the best mom or wife I could be"
• "will I die too young"
• "I need to have a difficult conversation with someone but don't know where to start"
• "will I make enough money to retire..."

Whatever they are, and whoever we are, we all have fears that may slow us down. It's normal. It's OK.

My encouragement to you is to really think about your fears.

Really spend some time thinking about the things that hold you back, and use them as an opportunity to move yourself forward.

For example: If you want to try something new, have you built-out a straw man of that thing/project? Why not? Are there goals you can set with a timeline that get you closer? Or are you letting the "I don't knows" and "what ifs" get in the way? If you are concerned about your health, what small thing can you change in your diet or exercise plan to improve? It's the small steps that can make such a difference. So you need to have a conversation with a loved one or co-worker, but are nervous or uncertain about taking the first steps. Sometimes validating that up front removes so many barriers, "this is a really difficult conversation for me." Or, start by writing it down to allow you to succinctly deliver the message that is most important.

Fears can at times seem overwhelming. They don't have to be. Fear is a mechanism that can protect us, free us or keep us stuck. How will you leverage fear to move yourself forward and closer in your pursuit of living your best lift yet?