Facing the Fear

Letting it work in your favor

Uncertainty and the “what ifs”, is a sure way to stay in the safety net.

The defining moment of your life will be when you chose to become uncomfortable by getting out of your comfort zone and taking a risk.

“Fear never drives us forward the same way it holds us back.”- David duChemin

The first step in taking a big risk is to accept the reality that success often means a series of set backs and failed attempts along the way. Without these attempts, you will not have the information needed to build the pieces you need to complete the puzzle of success.

Some people seem more fortunate than others; they make success look easy and instant.  Comparing your journey to theirs is the quickest way to talk yourself into quitting or never trying. The problem with viewing the success of others is that it does not give you the whole story. It shows only the story of success and not the challenges they went through to get to where they are.

Fears tell us we are not good enough, we should wait until it is safe, that there is too much competition and we cannot succeed. Fear is the greatest roadblock to achieving your dreams.  Instead of saying what if I run out of money, what if I lose everything I worked for, what if I fail – say “what if I get to the end of this journey and it is too late to live the life I dreamed about.”

The visualization of seeing yourself at the end of your journey, realizing it is too late, and you never took the risk to live the life you really wanted, is more powerful than the fear of taking the risk.  Try it – think about all the fearful reasons that are stopping you from taking a risk. Now think of getting to the end of your life and realize you will NEVER have the opportunity to try creating the life you spent 20+ years dreaming about. Fear weighs in ounces compared with regret that weighs in tons.

This ride is one way. There are no round trips.  There are no do overs.

Think about taking a risk in 2013. Need help getting started – here is a post I wrote last year on “Creating a Road Map”

13 Responses to “Facing the Fear”

    • piper Mackay

      Sadly Jon, our western world does not put the highest value on creativity. We are sold having more is what you need. When we are young we race off to set the world on fire. Later most of us realize there is more to life than climbing the corporate ladder so to speak, but by then making big changes to follow our creative aspirations becomes too risky for most. “Most people dye with their music still in them” – Dr Wayne Dyer

  1. Phyllis Sale

    again, thanks a million for your wonderful contributions…..

  2. Louise

    Great thoughts….there is a excellent book, “Art & FEAR”, Obervations on the Perils (and Rewards) of ARTMAKING by David Bayles and Ted Orland. A little book with a wonderful push.

  3. Janet Loughrey

    This is one of my favorite posts of yours so far. You live by example and inspire us all. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and beautiful images.

    • piper Mackay

      Thank you Janet. I have mad a commitment to post more in this year and have some exciting interviews coming with some top photographers as well as those in transition.

  4. Tracy Southey

    OMG what timing, your post came at the right time for me. After changing careers completely I’ve been just keeping my head above waters and at times saying to myself what the heck was I thinking. There are moments when I’m proud of what I’ve done and know I’m on the right track but sometimes that fear or set back kicks in. I read and learn alot from great photographers and sometimes reflect back and say what am I doing, but you are right, I need to be confident in what I do, not afraid to make mistakes and just keep plugging, I know eventually I will fill that dream! I’m in that stage of paying my dues, lol Thank you Piper, this post put a smile back on my face.

    • piper Mackay

      Tracy-
      Girl hang in there! It is the toughest road you will ever ride and I know every emotion you are feeling and where you are coming from. That roller coaster…. will continue through the entire journey so hang on, but just remember, you will never fail, if you never give up. The best advice I can give you is maintain keeping your options open. What I mean by this is don’t push it to your last dollar. If you have to go back and get part time work or even a day job for awhile do it. Don’t use all your reserves because you will need them for the final stretch! Just keep going and you will get there, building the most wonderful memories all along the way. You will look back on life with great memories and not feeling some how you missed out.
      Best of luck
      Piper

  5. Gary Hess

    Piper, excellent post that should be useful to many. I went back and read your post from last year as well… excellent. Know you have been on this journey in a very personal way…and you are making it work! As you know, my journey has taken a different turn – retired early from that “High Paying Job” like you mentioned… then 2 weeks later, wife diagnosed with cancer and in treatment for 6 years and counting. Still, somehow, we adjust and make it work. I think the message here ..and what I get from your post is to not get too comfortable.. be willing to chase your dreams no matter the obstacles, and if you want it bad enough, you will find the path to get you there! I enjoy your work immensely, and I also enjoy your perspective on life.