Life's Negotiations

In June, I spoke at IgniteDC #4 about How My Brain Tumor Will Change Your Life. Watch me in action!

It was surprising how a certain catchphrase caught on that evening - you can hear the crowd at one point - and on Twitter since.

"I'm scared & doing it anyway. I'm taking fear by the hand and walking through the door."

I've written before about being scared. How admitting that means you can stop avoiding it, making it bigger than it is, and actually face what's in front of you more confidently.

This phrase means something else. It's a motto of sorts that I use all the time in my life - getting on stage at IgniteDC for one. I was a ball of nerves that night.

Before I let myself get caught up in the thoughts and fears that surround a new situation, I often will just throw myself in. Don't think, just do.

I know I'll be ok, and I know I'll get more than I can possibly imagine from the experience. I also know that if I think about it too much, I won't do it.

Instead, I'll be nervous and keep going before fear gets in my way.

The result? I've had some of the richest, most rewarding experiences of my life. I've traveled through Europe for six weeks on my own, started my own business, moved to two different cities. Each time I said 'Yes' then freaked out, and what got me through was knowing that I could be scared AND do it.

Taking fear by the hand means just that. If fear was a friend, wouldn't you hold its hand as you stepped into the dark alley? Wouldn't you say something like: "don't worry, we're in this together"?

Well you are. Fear is that side of you that isn't comfortable with things that aren't a sure-thing. So, it just needs to hear from you that it will be ok, and that you won't leave it alone if something bad happens.

Sometimes all Fear (and therefore you) need to hear is that you'll be there no matter what.

Let's do this, together, and see what amazing things can happen as a result.