We just finished up the third year of Scared Confident.
What. In. The. World.
I can't believe how much I've learned over this three-year period. I've faced fear, recorded over 200 episodes, and am soooooo close to reaching 100,000 downloads. I don't know if that's a lot or a little, but it feels like a big milestone. I've had the best conversations with people from all over the United States and learned much about life, careers, parenting, marriage, and myself.
But most of all, I've been reminded of the importance of these three words:
Just. Keep. Going.
When fear was yelling at me. I just kept going.
When I was afraid I'd have nothing to say. I just kept going.
When I was tired. I just kept going.
When I was uninspired. I just kept going.
When I felt insecure. I just kept going.
I don't know where you are. But if you're on the edge of starting, of creating, of doing, of adding another 'And', here are four mindsets that made a difference in my journey of turning an idea into something I'm living and loving.
It's easy to fall into the trap of believing we need to have everything figured out before we start a project. But the truth is, the act of creating forces us to commit. Whether it's writing a book or starting a podcast, the simple act of putting ourselves out there week after week fosters self-awareness and a deeper understanding of our lives. I've learned so much about myself, my choices, and the people around me. This podcast has created a consciousness in my life that I am immensely grateful for. Don't be afraid to start before you fully understand where it's going.
Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's the willingness to act in spite of it. If I were to go back and listen to some of those first episodes of Scared Confident, I'm sure I would cringe! But I had to start somewhere. I had to start doing it to learn how to do it well.
I've learned that competency follows courage and commitment. Starting something new can be daunting, especially when you've never done it before. But by mustering the courage to begin and committing to the process, you pave the way for competency to come forward. It's okay to stumble and fumble through the awkward beginnings; that's all part of the journey toward mastery.
One of the most transformative exercises I've undertaken is crafting my fear statement during my Fear Interview with Nathaniel McGuire. Instead of succumbing to the paralyzing grip of fear, I've learned to confront it head-on by reaffirming my purpose: "I am for others." When fear tries to derail me with self-doubt and insecurity, I remind myself of this statement. It's a powerful reminder that my focus should always be on serving others authentically rather than getting bogged down by self-centered concerns.
If fear starts to yell at you, take your attention away from yourself and try to see and love those you seek to serve.
I've realized the importance of wholeheartedly believing in my vision and having the courage to say it out loud. My goal is to be the premier resource for two-career families seeking to transform chaos into love, peace, and connection. You have to believe it and see it before others will.
When you find your thing that you know is your gift to the world, embrace it! Believe in it and chase after it. If people are judging, I tell myself, they just don't have a better alternative for their time.
How can you apply this to the Ands you want in your life?
Start the process: Don't wait for perfection or to figure everything out; start creating content and let the process unlock your commitment and self-awareness.
Choose courage over competency: Have the courage to begin, even if you feel inexperienced or unsure. Competency will follow as you navigate through the challenges.
Face your fear: Craft a fear statement that reaffirms your purpose and serves as a powerful tool to combat self-doubt and insecurity.
Believe in your vision: Fully embrace your vision and the potential for success. Stay focused on serving others and making a positive impact, no matter the outcome.
I hope these lessons resonate with you as much as they've impacted me. Remember, it's not about avoiding fear or uncertainty; it's about facing them head-on with courage and conviction.