Is there something in your career that you really want, but you 
are afraid to go after it?

Fear is normal. We all experience it at certain points in our 
career. Maybe it's the new job we wanted to apply for, but were 
afraid we would not be chosen. Maybe it's the new idea we wanted 
to propose, but were afraid it would be rejected. Maybe it's 
something we wanted to say at a networking event or job 
interview, but were afraid it would not be perceived well.

Fear is good because it motivates us to excel in our career. 
Without a little fear, we might turn off the alarm clock and stay 
in bed all day. But when fear prevents you from moving forward, 
and doing the work you know needs to be done, then it's time to 
face your fear and conquer it.

Fear is an emotion experienced in anticipation of a specific pain 
or danger. It can cause us to slow down, act with caution, and in 
some cases, to freeze up entirely. When we fear the worst, we 
stop taking action, and action is a key component to reaching our 
goals.

Dealing with your fear head on usually dilutes the stronghold 
that keeps fear alive. As scary as this may seem, facing your 
fear is the secret to getting past it.

How Do You Move Past Fear So You Can Have A Successful, 
Rewarding, And Fulfilling Career?  Here Are 4 Ways:

1. Identify Your Fear:

What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of making a mistake? Being 
rejected? Afraid of making a wrong choice again? Are your fears 
enough to stop you?

Write down your fear. Get it on paper. Be specific. Include what 
your fear is as well as why your fear it. Your goal is to stop 
your fear from circling around in your head and causing damage. 
Once identified, you may find that what you are afraid of is not 
as scary as you think. The sooner you can identify what your fear 
is, the quicker you can make it disappear.


2. Visualize Your Way Past Fear:

Successful people who have overcome fear began with a 
determination to not let their fear stop them. They created a 
clear description of the end goal in their minds. They visualized 
this description several times before it became a reality. They 
spent a great deal of time nurturing this description before they 
acted on it to make it real.

Begin with a clear description of what you want to happen. New 
job? Promotion? More money? Your own business? Visualize the end 
goal several times a day. Put yourself mentally at the finish 
line. Then, working backwards, visualize the steps necessary to 
succeed. Visualize yourself overcoming the steps you fear as well 
as the fears that are holding you back. Picture yourself 
successfully completeting each step, despite your fear, and then 
reaching your goal.


3. Conquer Your Fear:

The way past fear is through it. You will not wake up one day and 
not be afraid anymore. In the beginning you have to do things 
afraid. Fear and change are always toughest in the beginning.

Yes, it's scary to call people you do not know or haven't spoke 
to in a while to ask for help. Or, going to a networking event or 
job fair to look for a job when you do not know if it will be 
worthwhile. Or, scheduling a meeting with your boss to ask for 
more money or a promotion even though you know there have been 
cutbacks around you. The outcome may not be favorable. But, it 
may.  Why rule out the possibility so quickly? Sometimes we try 
things in our career for ourselves; to see if we can do it. Even 
if you get a no, you'll learn from that no, and turn it into a 
yes next time.


4. Take Action:

There will always be a reason to stay where you are. And, there 
is a better reason to move forward. You spend so much of your 
waking hours either in your career or thinking about it. This is 
valuable time that you do not want to waste.

Career goals are reached by taking small steps over time to reach 
them.  You need to keep moving. No matter what. Even, if you do 
not feel like it. Even, if you do not believe what you want will 
happen. Make a plan and work on it everyday. Trust that the work 
you are doing now towards your plan will bring the rewards later. 
Because, it will.  Slow and steady wins the race every time.

So what do you say?  You only have one life to live so it might 
as well be a life you love! 

Deborah Brown-Volkman is the President of Surpass Your Dreams, 
Inc. a successful career and mentor coaching company that has 
been delivering a message of motivation, success, and personal 
fulfillment since 1998. We work with Senior Executives, Vice 
Presidents, and Managers who are out of work or overworked. 
Deborah is also the creator of the Career Escape Program™ and 
author of Coach Yourself To A New Career: A Book To Discover Your 
Ultimate Profession. Deborah Brown-Volkman can be reached at:
http://www.surpassyourdreams.com,
http://www.career-escape-program.com,
or at (631) 874-2877.