The Only Fix For Your Fear Of Failure
Last fall, our company, Ramsey Solutions, had a little idea. Within months it turned into something big. Really big. And I’ll be honest: It scared me out of my mind.
I’m talking about our Business Boutique, a two-day event held in Nashville, Tennessee with the purpose of empowering women to make money doing what they love. And I was going to head it up! Now, I’ve been a speaker, blogger, and business coach for years, so to say I was excited about this would be an understatement. I felt like my life’s calling was finally being realized.
But during the months leading up to the Business Boutique, my insecurities and fears began to rise to the surface. Who was I to invite some of the smartest minds in social media, marketing, and sales to join me in something I didn’t even know would work? Clearly, this was uncharted territory.
The chorus of negativity in my head said, “No one is going to show up,” “They’re all going to leave so disappointed,” and “You aren’t good enough to do this.”
Looking back, it’s amazing that I thought no one was going to show up, and yet everyone was going to leave disappointed. I’m not sure exactly how both are possible.
But that’s what fear does. It lies.
Fear has an arsenal of threats to taunt, worry, scare, and paralyze you. All of them are terrifying—and none of them are true.
Sure, you may need a better plan, more time, or a little help to accomplish what you’re working on. But fear never says that, does it? You never have voices in your head that keep you up at night and say in a friendly voice, “Hey rock star! You’re doing an amazing job! Remember you need to get some professional advice before you launch that project, but it’s going great so far!”
Maybe that happens to you, but that never happens to me. It’s always the worst-case scenarios, and they sound ridiculous when you say them out loud.
Voice of Fear:“No one is going to come to the event?”
We sold out over 1,000 seats in six weeks!
Voice of Fear:“They are going to leave disappointed?”
The reaction was amazing. Women left feeling confident, equipped, and above all, excited! The community they built in those two days continues to this day.
Voice of Fear: “I’m not good enough to do it?”
It has nothing to do with being good enough or not. It has everything to do with who God called for this mission and this movement.
Trust me, I don’t miss the irony. I am experiencing what these women are feeling every day as they build, launch, and grow their side businesses. But as I keep pushing forward toward my goal, I want to remind you of what God is constantly reminding me. The only way to combat the lies that fear tells you is with the truth.
Here’s the truth about your fears:
1. You’re scared because you might fail. What does that mean? Failure terrifies us because it’s elusive, subjective, and abstract. The truth is that you might not meet your goal, you might hit a roadblock, and you might disappoint someone. So what? That’s part of life. I’ve “failed.” But so has every successful person on the planet, so you and I are in good company. You can’t succeed unless you fail along the way.
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” –Michael Jordan
2. You’re scared because you’re doing something that matters. If what you were doing didn’t matter—if there wasn’t something on the line, a difference to be made, or lives to be changed—then there would be nothing to be afraid of. The enemy is after those who are out there doing something that matters. If he’s after you, that’s a good sign you’re on the right track.
3. You’re scared because you don’t think you’re good enough. What is enough, really? The imposter syndrome that we all experience plagues us like we have everyone fooled and we’re going to be found out. A few nights before the event, God said to me, “Christy, you’re stressing out because you think this is your event to pull off. It’s not your event. It’s my event, and I will be the one to pull it off.” You can find incredible relief when you take your eyes off of your abilities and inadequacies, and instead look to the One who put the stars in the sky, the hairs on your head, and the dream in your heart.
I know it’s scary and terrifying at times. I know that putting yourself out there—your work, dreams, and heart—can make you feel incredibly vulnerable. I know that you don’t know how it’s all going to turn out. I know. I know because I am clinging to Scripture every day and putting one shaky foot in front of the other in this faith walk with you.
I don’t know how we will do it. But friends, I know that we will—not because of who we are, but because of who God is.
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
Christy Wright
Christy Wright is a Certified Business Coach and Ramsey Personality with a passion for equipping women with the knowledge and steps they need to successfully run and grow a side business. Since joining Ramsey Solutions in 2009, she has spoken to thousands across the country at women’s conferences, national business conferences and Fortune 500 companies. You can follow her on Twitter or Facebook.
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