Let’s say you’ve written the proposal. You’ve reread and edited it multiple times. You’ve got your mouse arrow poised and ready to click on the “send” button.
But your finger just won’t do it.
At that moment it doesn’t feel like fear is keeping you from clicking. It feels like you’re just being cautious. Looking for that last typo. Double-checking the tone.
But I know that frozen moment all too well. (My own drafts folder used to be full of pitches I was too scared to send.)
My friend Bob Sands has been there too, many times. He’s written about his way out below, which is refreshingly practical.
My favorite part is about putting on the blinders and just focusing on the path forward. It sounds pretty obvious, but putting those blinders into practice is where the real magic lies.
Because remember, once you’ve got momentum going it’s a lot easier to steer than when you’re just starting out.
Here’s to landing your next writing client!
Mindy McHorse
Executive Editor, Barefoot Writer magazine
4 Ways to Overcome the Fear of Moving Forward
By Bob Sands
Fear seems to be a common currency among writers. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, and yes, even fear of success due to the very public criticism that often accompanies it. That fear can paralyze us and prevent us from taking the necessary steps to put us closer to reaching our goals.
It can hold us back from contacting a prospect, sending in our proposal, or finishing that self-marketing website. And it can also keep us from writing.
I once heard someone say that FEAR stands for “Forget Everything and Run!”
Doubts creep in. You wonder if you are really a writer or will ever really be one. When that kind of fear grabs you and takes hold, it seems there is little you can do to shake its grip. Or can you?
I want to share a few principles that will make fear your friend and keep it from becoming your foe.
First, face your fear.
Open a new file on your computer, or get a piece of paper and define what your problem is in detail. Don’t leave anything out. Write down the worst that you think can happen if the fear persists. There is something about getting the problem down in black and white that strips it of some of its power.
Second, overcome pressure from others.
This often manifests when people tell us that “we can’t” or “we won’t” be able to accomplish the goals we have set. Suddenly, their lack of faith impacts our belief in ourselves.
Try to surround yourselves with “voices” who believe and with people who will support your dream and not criticize it. I have met many such supportive people through Barefoot Writer. Most of them, I don’t talk to but instead connect with via email and social media outlets.
I regularly read e-newsletters from organizations that support writers, as it gives me a daily and weekly boost. I also attend writing conferences where I can meet those who can be a positive influence.
Third, shift your perspective.
Haddon Robinson, author, seminary president, and communication consultant, once said, “In any situation, what you are determines what you see; what you see determines what you do.”
That’s good advice. Change what you are looking at and what you are focusing on. Some time ago, a friend of mine was driving in downtown Delray Beach, Florida. He had his cell phone sitting on the seat next to him. For some unknown reason, it slid off to the floor. He reached down to get it while still driving.
When he looked up, it was too late to stop, so he plowed into the rear bumper of the car in front of him. That moment of distracted driving caused an accident, along with increased insurance premiums and a traffic citation. The lesson? Look at where you are going, and don’t be distracted by what is happening around you.
It’s important that you focus on where you want to go and not the obstacles, too. Put blinders on, and keep an eye on what you want rather than what you have now.
Fourth, get proactive.
Remember that movement creates momentum, which is much easier to steer than it is to start.
So don’t wait; begin taking some kind of action today.
Start moving in the direction of your goals even though fear may be riding on your back and whispering in your ear.