Making friends with your career demons

Before I decided to quit the corporate world, I experienced a period of complete paralysis and ‘stuck’ which came directly from a place of fear. 

As soon as I discovered that I could turn fear into a friend instead of an enemy, I set myself on a path to achieving more than I could have ever imagined. Fear is actually a really healthy invitation for us to grow.

None of us are ever completely fearless, but if we let it do all the talking, it can completely take over, kill enthusiasm, and stop us from doing anything at all. Here are 4 common fears it’s important to let go of to move forward. 

Fear 1 - “Maybe no one will want to hear what I have to say”

BULLSHIT.

Each of us has a unique message to share with the world and by not putting it out there, you’re doing a disservice, not only to the people you can help, but to yourself.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say that there are too many people already doing what they want to do. I used to say the same thing.

This simply doesn’t matter, because yes, your area of expertise might already be crowded, but no one is doing it like YOU will do, in your own individual way.

Don’t let that keep you in your stuck place, start taking steps toward your adventure. 

Fear 2 - “It’s too risky, so maybe I’m better off in a 9-5 job”

I’m here to tell you a truth that might make many of you uncomfortable, but I’m afraid NO job is ever 100% secure.

Just as in the same way that we can’t predict the future, what we’ll be doing tomorrow, or what will happen to us from one minute to the next.

Once you realise that nothing is permanent - companies get taken over at any time and decisions get made that are out of your control - you'll start to understand why being employed isn't necessarily as safe as you think.

I’m not saying going after your dream is easy, but when you’re doing work you love, you’ll work twice as hard at it. When you make the leap, you will want to quit and go back to the 9-5, several times!

But this is fear piping up again, so remember to keep the faith and remind yourself of all the reasons you left your old job in the first place. 

Fear 3 – “I’m worried I’ll run out of money”

This is a scary one, but it’s important to keep your eyes on the life you’re ultimately trying to achieve and not let money anxiety take over.

As the authors from the book ‘The One Minute Millionaire’ say “do you want to feast on the incredible banquets of prosperity, or do you want to continue to settle for the crumbs that fall from the table?”

Yes, have some savings or funding – there are so many great options for funding these days – and have your plan A and plan B intact, but leaving your safety net pay-check and going it alone requires you to think differently about money.

Ultimately, you can’t create wealth from a place of the wrong service, so believe that when you start doing the things you love, amazing things will happen and you will work it out.

Fear 4 – “What if I make the wrong decision?”

Don’t let indecision paralyse you from starting something amazing.

It’s important to remember that there are NO wrong decisions and every choice you make is leading you to where you need to be.

I’ve learnt that every time life didn’t work out for me the way I’d hoped, it was actually pointing me in the direction of something even better, so don’t worry if a million doors slam in your face at first, when you least expect it, an even bigger window will open. 

I invite you to get really friendly with fears like this the next time they crop up, and listen closely, because they are trying to teach you some really important lessons! 

POST EDITED BY CELIA: follow my blog "Dared, Determined, Done!" about making big life and career changes.